With his pop star looks, Jiang Tengyi could be an extra in a boy band. But
this 21-year old is racing for the pride of China.
Make way for this budding "Yao Ming on wheels."
"I feel proud to be an A1 Team China driver," Tengyi tells me. "Especially
for this race. A lot of people come to watch our race and give us all the
support."
Jiang and dozens of other drivers from around the world have been in Shanghai
for season finale of the A1 Grand Prix -- the so-called "World Cup of motor
sport."
The A1 is motor racing with a twist. The drivers race in identical cars... so
it's a level playing field where the most talented driver wins.
Every driver competes in a single make, eight cylinder high-performance car
-- manufactured by a British company that A1 keeps under lock and key until
they're ready for the race.
And every driver represents his home country, arousing a surge of nationalism
among the fans -- including one flag-waving university student named Cheng Ci.
Cheng tells me he's here to cheer for Team China and feels so proud that this
is the first time Shanghai is hosting the A1 finale.
He paid more than 1,200 yuan for his ticket -- that's $150. Cheng says it's a
trivial amount for a fan, but it's roughly one month's salary for the average
Chinese worker.
The speed freaks in the stands may be crazy about the sport -- but what about
the masses? When most people can't afford to buy a car -- let alone a ticket --
China may not be revved up for racing.
But A1 organizers such as Chief Operating Officer David Clarke disagree.
"It's relevant to China because people like to see their countrymen excel in
any activity," says David.