A review of the "Mid-Game Battle" of the Geely Super Cup Pro 2025 season

From August 15th to 17th, the Super Ji League PRO entered its 2025 season in Zhuzhou, Hunan. Under the scorching sun of the Zhuzhou International Circuit, the R7-R9 races of the "Central South Racing Festival" weekend presented the first dry-sand weekend of the year. The "Bauhinia Cup" event returned, featuring intense yet controlled on-track battles throughout, and drivers experienced breakthrough moments in this healthy competitive atmosphere.

R7: Achieving Pole To Win, Liu Xiaohua Returns to the Championship Podium

After securing pole position in both rounds of qualifying the previous day, Liu Xiaohua, #21 of the Black Mamba Shock Absorber by TRACKFUN Racing, was hoping to break his season-long championship drought. However, starting from pole, he was overtaken by Yang Wenbin, #9 of Hongxin Racing, from the front row, right at the start. Afterward, the former GDDP (Geely Holding Group Motorsport Development Driver Program) member made several attempts to retake the lead in a seesaw battle at the halfway point, ultimately achieving his goal and taking the checkered flag first.

The other two podium spots were taken by independent driver #25 Xie Sen and 326 Racing team founder #3 Wu Yifan, who overtook Yang Wenbin in the latter stages of the race. The former, returning to the competition, showcased his veteran qualities, while the latter displayed his extensive touring car racing experience in the chase. Furthermore, head-to-head battles between the two drivers occurred in every corner of the track. The drivers gained a significant amount of "growth experience points" in this sprint race.

After the race, Liu Xiaohua, having achieved "Pole to Win," excitedly stood on the roof of his car to celebrate. "I've been thinking about this celebration for a long time...even thinking about it last night before going to bed! Although I was passed by my opponent at the start, I felt the car ahead wasn't keeping up its pace or maintaining its tires. I patiently looked for loopholes, and ultimately overtook him by exploiting a different braking point. Turning my first pole position into a victory is a new motivation for the second half of the season!"

R8: Yang Wenbin takes the win at the start, securing Hongxin's first championship.

Just as in R7 earlier on Saturday, Hongxin Racing #9 Yang Wenbin overtook the pole-sitter Liu Xiaohua of TRACKFUN Racing #21 after the lights went out. In this round, the Hong Kong driver fully absorbed the lessons learned in R7, executing a flawless defense and even employing tactics. Near the halfway point of the race, he narrowed the gap to the group behind him, forcing Liu Xiaohua into a chaotic battle, allowing him to pull off a dramatic escape and secure his victory.

After winning the first championship in Hongxin's team history and his own career, Yang Wenbin broke down in tears. He choked up and said, "I've been racing for almost eight years! Finally, I'm standing on the top step of the podium. It's been so hard! The experience of the first round this week really helped me a lot."

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Jiekai Racing Team #94 driver Fu Guxiang also achieved a breakthrough in this round, taking second place on his podium debut. Afterward, he said, "I was able to perform at my best in this round, and I'm very happy. This is the most satisfying race I've ever had in motorsport." 19-year-old 326 Racing Team #7 driver Chang Yilin took third place. Having just completed the Gaokao (National College Entrance Examination), this "racing newbie" was very satisfied with his real-world racing debut. "As a non-professional driver, sim racing has helped me build a solid foundation. I was able to translate the skills I learned in sim racing into my first real-world race, which is quite satisfying. It's also worth mentioning that the Binrui COOL sequential racing car is very user-friendly for a newcomer like me—it's very forgiving. This result kicks off my racing career, and I have even greater expectations for the future."

R9: Strategy wins, Yan Hancheng takes another victory

Under extreme 39-degree weather, this weekend's Endurance Relay (R9) race was a lively affair. After the rolling start, two Team DIXCEL cars became the key drivers in the first half of the race. Yan Hancheng, driving the #63, raced from fifth to third in just two laps. Cai Hongyu, driving the #328, pulled off a rocket-like start, rising from last place into the top eight. Unexpectedly, Cai's car stalled on the third lap, sparking a chaotic battle among the midfield. Meanwhile, the #94 car of Team Jiekai, driven by Fu Guxiang, suffered a breakdown and came to rest on the track, necessitating the deployment of the Safety Car.

The timing of the Safety Car deployment was quite strategic: the mandatory pit stop window opened one lap after the Safety Car returned. Pit stop strategy also became the deciding factor in this round. Yan Hancheng, currently in third place, opted to make his mandatory pit stop immediately. This undercut strategy proved to be a successful strategy. After all other drivers had pitted, he was comfortably leading the race and ultimately crossed the finish line first. Yang Haoyu of Jiekai Racing Team #95 maintained a steady pace to secure second place. Independent drivers Xu Jialuan/Xie Sen of Team #25 powered forward in the second half of the race, repeatedly overtaking their opponents to secure third place.

In this round, Chang Yilin of Team 326 Racing #7, who had just secured his first real-world racing podium yesterday, made a name for himself in the paddock with his impressive overall lap time and bold overtakes. This "super rookie" made a name for himself in the paddock. However, a last-minute car failure prevented him from achieving his second podium finish of the week. The 19-year-old said, "Although I felt good driving, I still felt a lack of experience! I'm a little disappointed today, but this is also the price of learning as a person. I hope to get a gold trophy next time." Separately, #3 Liu Ning/Wu Yifan also retired due to car failure midway through the race. The 326 Racing Team suffered heavy losses in this round.

Yan Hancheng was very satisfied with his second consecutive victory in the endurance race. He said: "Long distances are always difficult for me, especially in such high temperatures! I'm undoubtedly delighted to stand on the podium again. Our team's strategy today was very clear. Lapping times in high temperatures and clean air are advantageous. Everything ultimately went as we planned."

Throughout the three rounds of the Super G League PRO Zhuzhou, there were a series of exciting moments, with the drivers managing their attack and defense with impeccable control. The 105-minute race saw only one safety car appearance, and few post-race disputes. This high-quality competition showcased the true character of the Super G League PRO as a mid- to high-end touring car series.

The "Bauhinia Cup" reignites, wishing Wang Haoming a peaceful journey.

During the weekend in Zhuzhou, with seven drivers from Hong Kong registered, the race organizers announced the return of the "Bauhinia Cup." The only "Bauhinia Team" on the field, Hongxin Racing, emerged as the biggest winner in this independent category. #9 Yang Wenbin secured one first and two second places, while #96 (Qiu Zhuoxian/Chen Huazhang) secured three consecutive third-place finishes. Independent driver #25 (Xie Sen/Xu Jialuan) secured first place in R7 and R9. Jiekai Racing's #94 Fu Guxiang secured second place in R8.

A Hong Kong driver also used this race to pay tribute to his fellow countrymen. Earlier this month, Thomas Wong, who competed in some of the 2024 Super G League PRO events, tragically passed away due to lung disease. This Hong Kong driver, who emerged from the world of virtual racing and subsequently demonstrated his talent on the real track, had previously taken third place in last year's Zhuzhou race (R16).

As Super Ji League PRO returned to the track where he once won glory, the paddock commemorated the driver who passed away so young in various ways. After the first round, the gantry on the main grandstand of Zhuzhou International Circuit displayed "FINAL LAP TO THOMAS WONG." After the third round, the "Bauhinia Cup" drivers pointed to the "In Memory of Thomas Wong" stickers on their cars. With the deepest respect, we bid farewell to Thomas. May his passion become an inextinguishable engine, continuing to roar forward in the vastness beyond life.

After nine rounds, the 2025 season has reached the halfway point. In terms of team points, the Black Mamba Shock Absorber by TRACKFUN team leads the pack with 140 points; Hongxin Team and 326 Racing Team have 107 and 99 points, respectively, ranking second and third in the team standings. From September 5th to 7th, the 2025 Super Ji League PRO will return to the Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit to kick off the second half of the season.