SHANGHAI, China – Changan Ford Racing Team is revved up and ready to make a strong challenge for the 2011 China Touring Car Championship (CTCC) winner’s trophy.

Changan Ford Racing Team and its top driver won honours last year, so the excitement and anticipation levels were high at the team’s recent kick-off ceremony for the new season.

Held a few hours before the first race at the Shanghai Tianma Circuit, the main attraction was the team's 2011 Ford Focus racecar that was unveiled by Ford’s Richard Baker, deputy general manager of Changan Ford Sales Company and Jost Capito, director of Ford Global Performance Vehicles & Motorsport Business Development, along with Yan Jianchang, director of the Federation of Automobile Sports of China.

The new racecar - sporting a bold new paint job promoting Ford’s quality, green, safety and smart brand pillars - was the focus of attention for more than 50 reporters who covered the event.

Auto Magazine reporter Tian Yongliang said, "Changan Ford’s kick-off ceremony was very exciting and as it was held in the commercial zone of the circuit, many fans were able to view the cars and enjoy the event.”

Zhao Guohui, a China Auto Pictorial writer said, "The event was made extra special with the appearance of Ford’s Global Motorsport director and we look forward to more occasions like this.”

The launch was also broadcast live via Changan Ford’s micro-blogging platforms, which generated 549 posts, 2,641 comments and more than 2.6 million views to date.

After the ceremony, it was time for racing and the Changan Ford Racing Team made a strong start. Team driver, Andy Yan took second spot in the opening race and his three team mates placed third, fifth and seventh.

Many cars failed to complete the races, but the Focus vehicles were competitive and reliable throughout. The Changan team earned 33 points from the first round. The second leg of the CTCC series will be held at the Zhuhai International Circuit from May 28–29.

Richard Baker (fourth from the left), Jost Capito (fifth from the right) and Yan Jianchang (fifth from the left) unveiled the new Ford Focus racing car.	The new 2011 Ford Focus racing car.
Andy Yan (left) and Rainey He (right) placed second and third, respectively.