PICTURE PERFECT The winners of the PCCA round 3 at the podium

By Derryn Wong

2008 PORSCHE CARRERA Cup Asia champion Darryl O’Young got his title defence started up with pole position in qualifying, followed by Team StarChase’s Christian Menzel and Asia Racing’s Rodolfo Avila.

He then took the advantage gained to full by taking a lights-to-flag victory at the Goldenport International Circuit, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process.

Behind him were the usual suspects – Menzel in second, with GruppeM’s Tim Sugden third, albeit harried constantly by Avila in fourth, just 0.230s behind.

Behind them was another tussle between Danny Chu and Dilantha Malagumwa who were split by just 0.3s crossing the line, and a further five seconds back was Singaporean Ringo Chong. Behind him, Mok Weng Sun rounded out the final A-group finisher. Behind him, Melvin Choo continued his charge at the top of the B drivers table, being the first of the class across the line.

Round Four was an equally tough fight – the twisty and physically demanding Goldenport track providing the backdrop for some good racing. Menzel shot past pole man O’Young and got the better run into turn one then set about trying to make a gap. O’Young did his best to counter that and laid down equally quick pace but couldn’t get past Menzel again.

“I had a better start than Darryl, which put me in the correct position into the first corner. A big compliment to Darryl as he pushed very, very hard, and I pushed very, very hard as well!” said Menzel.

Fourth went to Danny Chu, after a battle with Malagumwa, who along with Avila, didn’t finish due to spins. Chong did well in to capitalise and take a respectable fifth.

Once again in Class B, Melvin Choo pulled clear of the pack once again while his closest chaser, Philip Ma, pulled in nine seconds later.

Next round: Rounds 5 & 6, Zhuhai International Circuit, 19-21 June