LIU SHI was last night basking in the glitter and glory of becoming the first mainlander to ever win a motor race.
He was the centre of attention after a dramatic victory in the Mitsubishi Lancer China Freshman Cup at the International Car Race meeting in Zhuhai.
Liu proudly posed for the cameras of the world's media, surrounded by well-wishers, attractive girls in cheong sams and beaming cadres who had organised the inaugural all-mainland motor race.
Today the spotlight turns from the heady heights of motor racing glory to more mundane matters - reporting for work at 6 pm sharp to resume his job as a Beijing policeman.
Liu was among a batch of 30 men selected from throughout China to be given a crash course in competitive driving techniques under the guidance of Australian rally ace Ed Ordynski. Some were office workers, some were members of the People's Liberation Army, and others were labourers.
A few had little or no driving experience but all had a strong interest in motor racing.