Rookies Kane Shepherd of Thailand, Malaysia’s Adam Khalid and Sam Grimes of the Philippines all scored podium finishes at Clark International Speedway over the weekend.
Their amazing feat, however, could not stop China’s Daniel Cao from dominating the second event of the FIA Formula 4 Southeast Asia Championship fuelled by PETRON Corporation.
Cao won four of the six races over the weekend with local lad Ben Grimes grabbing the other two wins.
“It’s amazing to get on the podium on the first race of the day,” said Adam, who finished third behind Cao and Ben.
Fresh off his victory in Race 3, Cao continued his dominant performance in Race 4.
He was never challenged for the lead and easily claimed his third win of the weekend in 24:55.847s.
It looked like Adam was going to get his second podium but in Turn 3 of the last lap, he went a little too wide.
Shepherd, sensing his opportunity, dove in and while just as he was about to overtake the Malaysian, Adam came back in only to be hit by Shepherd.
Adam crashed out while Shepherd, who was cleared of any wrong doing by the stewards, claimed his third podium finish of the weekend behind Cao and Ben.
“It was a tight race and I was pressuring Adam. I saw my chance and took it,” said Kane.
Race 5Â was special for the Grimes brothers as Ben collected his second win of the weekend and Sam finished third.
Sandwiched between them was the indomitable Cao.
Sam was delighted to get his second podium finish — he was runner-up in the second race yesterday.
“I achieved my aim of being on the podium yesterday.
I was determined to get another podium with the aim of being there with my brother and I did it.”
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Ben said: “It was a great win but it’s even more special as my father is here to cheer us on.”
After threatening all week, rain finally arrived before the sixth and final race.
The start was delayed by some 15 minutes as the track was flooded.
It was finally given the go ahead by the stewards — on the condition the race be started behind the safety car.
The start positions were decided by the outcome of Race Five, with the top four starting on a reserve grid.
That meant Kane Shepherd and Sam Grimes made up the front row followed by Daniel Cao and Ben Grimes, Adam Khalid, Shinvin Sirrinarinthon, Luke Thompson and Timothy Yeo.
After three laps the safety car pulled inside and the racing began with Cao making his move.
His pressure forced Sam to spin on his own. After overtaking the Filipino, Cao hunted down Shepherd and eventually passed him in the penultimate corner of the lap.
Once in front, there was no stopping the Chinese maestro.
The red flags came out after the completion of the fifth lap and the Cao took the race in 12:33.808s.
Shepherd finished second with Ben taking third place.
“It was a wonderful weekend. I’m delighted to have continued my winning streak,” said Cao.
“I won three races in Sepang and four here. I’m looking forward to the next event in Indonesia.”
RESULTS
Race 3
1. Daniel Cao (Chn) 25:10.781s
2. Ben Grimes (Phi) 25:20.546s
3. Adam Khalid (Mas) 25:24.679s
4. Kane Shepherd (Tha) 25:24.955
5. Timothy Yeo (Mas) 25:29.870
6. Shivin Sirinarinthon (Tha) 25:37.555s
7. Luke Thompson (Irl) 25:37.698s
8. Sam Grimes (Phi) DNF
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Race 4
1. Daniel Cao (Chn) 24:55.847s
2. Ben Grimes (Phi) 25:07.857s
3. Kane Shepherd (Tha) 25:15.410s
4. Timothy Yeo (Mas) 25:16.475s
5. Shivin Sirinarinthon (Tha) 25:18.327s
6. Luke Thompson (Irl) 25:21.267s
7. Adam Khalid (Mas) DNF
8. Sam Grimes (Phi) DNF
Race 5
1. Ben Grimes (Phi) 25:26.528s
2. Daniel Cao (Chn) 25:30.483s
3. Sam Grimes (Phi) 25:31.201s
4. Kane Shepherd (Tha) 25:36.702s
5. Adam Khalid (Mas) 25:43.553s
6. Shivin Sirinarinthon (Tha) 25:48.092s
7. Luke Thompson (Irl) 25:48.582s
8. Timothy Yeo (Mas) 25:51.594s
Race 6
1. Daniel Cao (Chn) 12:33.808s
2. Kane Shepherd (Tha) 12:36.791s
3. Ben Grimes (Phi) 12:44.507s
4. Shivin Sirinarinthon (Tha) 12:46.779s
5. Adam Khalid (Mas) 12:47.311s
6. Luke Thompson (Irl) 12:47.893s
7. Timothy Yeo (Mas) 12:50.402s
8. Sam Grimes (Phi) 13:23.038s
(Red flag. Race stopped due to bad track conditions)
* DNF = Did not finish
