2025 CTCC Ningbo | Punching Up: How Our 1.5T Civic Clinched a Podium Against 2.0T Monsters
After dominating the TC1 class in Shanghai with four wins in two days, the TTSPORT & YiTRON Racing Team wasn't ready to cruise. We went looking for a real fight. For the CTCC Ningbo round, we jumped into the deep end: the hyper-competitive TCS Class.
The catch? We were the lone 1.5T Honda Civic FK7 in a field of 2.0T monsters. On paper, we were outgunned on horsepower and straight-line speed. This was the ultimate underdog story, and we were here to prove that power isn't everything.
The Result: A Double-Podium Finish (2nd & 3rd Place) in the TCS Class.
All Guts, No Glory? Why We Pitted a 1.5T Against 2.0T Heavyweights
In Shanghai, our 1.5T FK7 was untouchable. The chassis was dialed, but our TTSPORT brake setup was the "cheat code," allowing our drivers to brake meters later than the competition without fading.
Moving up to the TCS class at Ningbo was a calculated risk. We knew we couldn't win on the long straights against the 2.0T engines. We had to win in the braking zones. This race became the ultimate real-world torture test for our friction materials and thermal management engineering.
Braking Late, Fighting Hard: The Battle for Ningbo
Ningbo International Circuit is a "brake killer." It is notorious for technical corners that follow high-speed sections, forcing drivers to stomp on the pedal repeatedly with little time for cooling. In the TCS class, the pace is faster, meaning the heat generation is exponential.
Despite a setback in the first round, the team remained flawless. Our drivers, trusting the fade-free bite of the TTSPORT system, dove deep into corners to close gaps that shouldn't have been possible. The #109 car fought through the pack to secure Runner-Up and Third Place trophies.
The Underdog Proves Its Bite
From a clean sweep in Shanghai to a "giant-killer" double-podium in Ningbo, the results speak for themselves. This proves that raw horsepower doesn't always win the race. A lighter, nimbler car with a braking system that refuses to fade can out-maneuver the heavy hitters.
Race Tech FAQ
1. Is the brake kit on the race car custom-made?
The calipers on our CTCC race car use the same forged monoblock architecture and metallurgy as our consumer Pro-Series kits. We use professional racing to stress-test our seals and piston designs to ensure the products we sell for the street can handle extreme track abuse.
2. Why use a 1.5T engine in a 2.0T class?
Agility. While we lack straight-line speed, the smaller engine reduces weight over the front axle. This allows for sharper turn-in and, critically, less strain on the front tires and brakes over a long race distance.
3. How do you manage brake heat at a track like Ningbo?
Beyond using our high-carbon 2-piece rotors, race strategy plays a huge role. Our drivers utilize "threshold braking"—braking at the absolute limit of tire grip for the shortest possible time—to maximize cooling airflow between corners.
Get the Same Track-Proven Tech
The same engineering that survived the CTCC 2.0T battles is available for your build. Whether you track a Type R, WRX, or M-Car, get the stopping power you need.