Pingtan, China – June 28-29, 2024 – The roar of engines electrified the Fujian Pingtan International Circuit as the SRO GT Cup arrived for its second round, held amidst the thrilling Pingtan Racing Carnival. The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing China squad delivered a stunning performance, spearheaded by driver Han Lichao, who dominated the weekend with a spectacular double victory! Teammate Wang Hao also impressed, showcasing exceptional pace and fighting spirit under pressure.

Pole Position Sweep for Han Lichao in Pingtan Qualifying

The TOYOTA GR team signaled its intentions early during qualifying.
Driving the #33 car, Han Lichao displayed masterful precision, extracting maximum performance through the circuit's demanding corners with perfect braking points and throttle control. He set the benchmark early, posting a blistering lap of 1:20.781 to secure pole position for Sunday morning's Race 1. Demonstrating remarkable consistency, he backed it up with the second-fastest time of 1:21.151 to claim pole for the afternoon's Race 2 as well.

Experienced Pingtan competitor Wang Hao in the #21 car delivered a strong and steady performance. His best laps of 1:21.566 (Race 1) and 1:21.867 (Race 2) earned him a valuable third-place starting position for both races. This locked out the second row for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing China, giving the team a significant advantage off the line.

Race 1: Han Lichao Triumphs Lakeside, Wang Hao Podiums in Silver Cup

Han Lichao converted his pole position into a commanding lights-to-flag victory in Sunday morning's Race 1 at the Pingtan circuit. This marked his second win of the season and propelled him into the lead of the Silver Cup championship standings.
Starting from the front row, Han Lichao engaged in a thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle with Team TRC's Darryl O'Young into Turn 1. Han expertly defended the inside line to emerge in the lead, while teammate Wang Hao slotted into fourth.

After a safety car period bunched the field, the race came down to a final sprint. Han Lichao managed the restart perfectly in his #33 TOYOTA GR Supra GT4 EVO II, holding firm at the front to take the checkered flag first. This secured him the Silver Cup class victory and the championship lead.
The Silver Cup podium was an all-GR Supra affair. Making his SRO GT Cup debut, Chinese Taipei driver Gao Zilong claimed a fantastic second place. Wang Hao secured a well-deserved third place, earning his first podium finish of the season.

Race 2: Han Lichao Completes Perfect Weekend, Wang Hao Sets Fastest Lap

The action intensified in Sunday afternoon's Race 2. Despite an early setback, Han Lichao battled back brilliantly to claim his second victory of the weekend and complete a sensational double win!
Starting from pole, Han Lichao suffered a slightly delayed reaction at the start, dropping momentarily to fourth place. Teammate Wang Hao capitalized on the opening lap chaos to move up the order.
Han Lichao quickly regained his composure, fighting back to third position. Meanwhile, Wang Hao in the #21 car engaged in a fierce duel with leader Darryl O'Young. Unfortunately, while challenging for the lead, Wang Hao was involved in contact, forcing him to recover to seventh place. Undeterred, he demonstrated impressive pace by setting the Fastest Lap of the Race during his charge.

At the front, Han Lichao and O'Young delivered a captivating battle around the Pingtan International Circuit. The decisive moment came in the latter stages when Han Lichao expertly used lapped traffic to his advantage. He seized an opportunity on the inside of Turn 14 to make a race-winning pass, reclaiming the lead and crossing the finish line first once again. This secured his second Silver Cup victory of the day.
With this dominant double win in Pingtan, Han Lichao firmly established himself as the championship leader at the halfway point of the SRO GT Cup season.

Powering the Path to Victory: ZOOMOLUBE

As the long-standing, trusted technical partner and backbone of the TOYOTA GR team, ZOOMOLUBE is dedicated to the relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep commitment to motorsport. Our products deliver millisecond-precision performance, safeguarding the peak condition of every race machine.
The Mechanic Series engine oil played a crucial role in this success. Formulated with premium ester base oils and cutting-edge MoTDC additive technology, ZOOMOLUBE Mechanic Series provides superior lubrication, cooling, and cleaning capabilities. It effectively reduces engine wear, dissipates critical heat, and cleans harmful deposits, ensuring the GR Supra GT4s maintained relentless power and unwavering reliability throughout the intense competition.
The outstanding results achieved by the TOYOTA GR team and drivers at the SRO GT Cup Pingtan round are not only a testament to their skill and preparation but also a powerful demonstration of ZOOMOLUBE's exceptional quality and advanced technical prowess.

Looking Ahead: The Championship Intensifies
With the season reaching its midpoint and qualification for the Greater Bay Area GT Cup finalized, the battle for the overall championship titles is heating up. The next chapter unfolds at the Beijing Yizhuang Street Circuit from October 17-19, where Round 3 of the Greater Bay Area GT Cup awaits.

What breathtaking performances will Han Lichao, Wang Hao, and the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing China team deliver next? Join us as we anticipate another spectacular showcase of speed and passion, witnessing the pursuit of championship glory!

Speed Never Stops, Glory Never Ends – See You at the Next Checkered Flag!