- Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY – the world’s first international championship for production‑based electric cars visits Sanya, China, for round four of the 10‑race series
- Following his win in Hong Kong, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver, Bryan Sellers, is now championship leader
- David Cheng, 29, joins as VIP driver for Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY race in Sanya
- The Sanya Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY race takes place on 23 March 2019
For the fourth round, all‑electric racing visits China with the Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY heading to the city of Sanya on Hainan Island. Starring as Sanya’s Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY VIP driver is three times consecutive Asian Le Mans Series Drivers Champion, David Cheng.
Cheng’s motorsport career highlight was his 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans second place finish in the LMP2 class, which also placed him third on the overall podium. Prior to this, Cheng had become a three time consecutive Asian Le Mans Series Drivers Champion and had great success in the 12 Hours of Sebring, winning LMPC in 2013.
Recently, Cheng has transitioned from the driver’s seat to team management, as co‑founder of the Jackie Chan DC Racing Team. Since 2015 Cheng has created a competitive racing team with movie star, producer and martial artist Jackie Chan.
I'm thrilled and honoured that Jaguar has given me the opportunity to drive the VIP car at the upcoming Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY race in Sanya. Coming from a background of single seaters, touring cars, GT's and prototypes, this will be my start into electric racing and I’m very excited to find out the nuances of how to drive the eTROPHY racecar quickly.
Myself and our Jackie Chan DC Racing team has been following the development of electric vehicles very closely, particularly since China has been investing heavily into electric mobility and is now a world leading market in the industry. I'm looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd of family, friends and fans.
David Cheng
Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY VIP driver
To have a second consecutive 1 – 2 finish for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in Hong Kong was a great moment for the team. It was a very difficult race. This was the first time any of us experienced the Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY in those kinds of conditions and it could not have performed better.
The series has been very close throughout the races so far and I expect Sanya to be no different. There are a lot of great drivers looking to get on the top step of the podium. It will be extremely important to continue to learn and evolve every weekend to try and keep performing at the best of our ability.
