Daniel Lloyd launched his debut TCR China campaign in superb style last weekend, taking a resounding win for the Dongfeng Honda Racing Team in the opening race of the season on the Zhuhai International Circuit (May 4/5).

The reigning TCR UK Champion stated his intent on the championship title from the outset, marking his first time out in the MacPro Racing Team-run Honda Civic Type R with a commanding run in both free practice sessions – claiming P1 and P2.

Joining the combined TCR China/TCR Asia grid for the 2019 curtain-raiser, the Yorkshireman dominated the TCR China field, claiming the first race win of the season in the #77 Honda machine, and finishing third overall.

A strong charge off the line in race 2 saw the 27-year-old up into podium contention by the opening lap from a P8 reversed-grid start. Unfortunately, Lloyd was one of five cars caught out by a sudden downfall in the opening laps, and went off into the gravel. Recovering from his off-track excursion, Lloyd battled hard to take the flag in P2 for TCR China, and 7th overall.

“That was a dream start to my TCR China season;” commented Lloyd. “We had a great start in free practice. The MacPro Racing Team gave me a fantastic car to work with and I’m glad to have been able to repay them with the race win.”

“We had a few issues with the brakes in the opening race, which is a killer on that circuit;” he explained. “Even so, we battled through to take the win which was mega.

“The guys worked hard to get the car sorted for race two. We started well, but unfortunately got caught out with the rain whilst running on slicks. Thankfully we had the pace to pull back a result.”

Lloyd’s outstanding TCR China debut sees him lead the five-meeting Championship, with the Dongfeng Honda Racing Team sitting atop of the Teams’ standings ahead of the next meeting on the Shanghai International Circuit on June 1/2.

“It’s great to come away from our first weekend leading the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championship. It puts us in good stead for the next round in Shanghai. I’m looking forward to getting back in the Honda in a few weeks’ time, and picking up where we left off.”

For more information on the championship, please visit: http://tcr-series.com/