SUPPLEMENTAL NISSAN NEWS From: Corporate Communications Dept.
A30-SN-8081 Date: October 27, 1998

Primera Wins At Zhuhai For Third Consecutive Year

Zhuhai International Circuit, China, October 24-25 -- Nissan Asia Team AIM's Suphot Kasikam dominated the strongest field in the South East Asia Touring Car Zone Challenge (SEATCZC) series this year to score a double victory in Rounds 9 and 10. Suphot, who also claimed a double win in Rounds 3 and 4, beat out not only nemesis Charles Kwan of BMW, but also two Volvo S40s from the 1998 Swedish Touring Car Championship winning team and the latest BMW 320i, the same version that won the 1998 German ADAC D1 Super Tourenwagen Cup. This is the third consecutive year that Nissan has won at Zhuhai International Circuit. But despite Suphot's commanding performance here, BMW's Kwan scored enough points to assure himself of this year's SEATCZC crown.

<Qualifying>
As he has done in every race meeting but one this year, Suphot marked the fastest lap time in the qualifying session. The new Volvo and BMW entries made things interesting, pushing the normally dominant Suphot and Kwan. Suphot responded to the challenge by claiming pole position, while BMW's Paul Chan qualified 2nd on the grid, followed by Kwan and Volvo's Jan Nilsson in that order.

<Round 9>
Kwan and Nilsson both made fast starts to slip by pole-sitter Suphot on the opening lap. The Volvo claimed the early lead, but Suphot and Kwan passed the Swede on Lap 4 and took up their long-running duel. The Primera powered by Kwan at the first corner of Lap 6, and Suphot took advantage of its excellent maneuverability to deftly lap slower Division 2 cars and maintain his leading position to the checkered flag. Suphot took the win, followed by Kwan and Toyota's S. Kajohnsak in that order.

<Round 10>
With grid positions determined by Round 9 placings, Suphot again started from pole position. After the first start was red-flagged due to a crash, Kwan made his usual fast start and slipped into the lead. From then on, it was a back-and-forth battle: Suphot overtook Kwan at the second hair-pin curve of Lap 4, was re-passed on the next straight, and shot by Kwan again on the last corner. Kwan mounted a strong challenge in the final two laps, but was unable to catch the Primera. Suphot claimed his second victory of the day, followed by Kwan in 2nd and Kajohnsak in 3rd.

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