Putting pedal to the metal

For a driver born in China, where car racing has yet to find a large audience, Cheng Congfu was fortunate to get to go to Europe to train when he was young.

Now China's best native racer is poised to bring more attention and popularity to the sport in his homeland after officially joining Team China in the A1 Grand Prix series this season.

"I'm very glad to represent the Chinese team in the A1 Grand Prix for the whole season this time," said the 23-year-old Cheng, who has raced with the team for four stages so far this season. "I hope my results with Team China can attract more people to pay attention to China's racing sport."

The A1 Grand Prix, which began in 2005, is considered the "World Cup of motor sports", as racers compete for their countries rather than for certain teams as in other racing leagues.

Last season, Team China ranked 15th out of 25 teams with 22 points. This season, with Cheng leading the way, China is ranked ninth after four races with 28 points. In the most recent stop in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai last month, Cheng finished third in the sprint race, the best result so far for Team China.

Interest in racing

Born in Beijing in 1984, Cheng experienced go-karting for the first time when he was 10. It didn't take long for his interest in motor sports to grow.

"I like that it's an exciting sport and I like the screaming of the car and its high speed," Cheng said.

Cheng's father picked up on his son's interest and saw an opportunity to develop the boy's talent. He sent his son to train in big motor sports countries like Japan and Italy.

"I was 12 years old when I was sent for short training in Japan during vacation for the first time, and I went to training in Italy almost every year from 14-17 years old," Cheng said.

"I was so lucky that my parents had such a long perspective view. Experiencing the racing atmosphere in those motor sports powerhouses benefited me a lot later in my career."

In 1996, Cheng won his first championship title at the Beijing Shunxiang Cup Karting Competition after his stint in Japan and he defended the title the next year.

Cheng claimed the title at the 1998 Beijing Karting Championships and was given the award for best new driver. He defended his title in 1999 and 2000.

After his success in go-karting, the first step for a formula racer, Cheng made his move in the UK where he has studied and trained since 2000.

He gradually emerged as a good driver in a series of formula races. At the 2002 Asian Formula Challenge, he finished second in the championships, securing six victories and four podiums in the 10 races in which he competed.

"Going to race in Europe earlier let me know the high quality and professionalism of the racing there," Cheng said. "Although I experienced a hard time at the very beginning, it was worth it."

Financial support

Cheng was hard-pressed in the early stages of his career to find any financial support from outside of his own family.

Cheng wouldn't say exactly how much his family invested in him over the years, but he did say that in the 1990s even go-karting races could cost as much as 1 million yuan ($138,000) each year.

"My family is not among the richest ones in China, but my parents gave me full support on racing," Cheng said.

The family's efforts were paid back in 2003 when McLaren Mercedes Formula One team selected Cheng to take part in their driver development program with Manor Motor Sport in the British Formula Renault Championship.

"Working with McLaren taught me the operations of the world's top team and, since the racing is of high level as well, I have to make more efforts to compete," Cheng said.

At the 2006 British Formula Renault Championship, Cheng ranked third on the final list, which had been previously dominated by European racers.

"My efforts were approved by many European teams at that time and I'm very glad that more people have gotten to know China's racing sport through my efforts," he said.

As for joining Formula One - the ultimate goal for most racers - Cheng is in no hurry. He understands that he still lacks enough sponsorships from Chinese companies.

"I think I'm capable enough to be an F1 racer right now, but the time is not that right," Cheng said. "In China, motor sports still lag far behind those of other countries and we still lack a good racing atmosphere.

"I hope more Chinese companies and brands will realize the value of supporting a racing team and I'm very glad to be the idol of China's racing to attract more racers as well as more financial support for the sport."

Cheng's next race will be the A1 GP series in Taupo, New Zealand, this weekend.

(China Daily 01/16/2008 page23)