GT Asia: Five Audis enter the GT Asia at Twin Ring Motegi

By Johan Laubscher

The GT Asia Championship is getting underway in Japan this weekend, round one at Twin Ring Motegi. Audi entries are occupying almost 30% of the GT Asia gird, with five entries in total.

Absolute Racing is fielding three Audi R8 LMS ultra cars, representing their customers. The three cars are the same which competed in the MSS at Sepang earlier this year, the international race debut for the 2013 specification Audi R8 LMS ultra. The cars are however now in the new 2013 homologated specification, having been fitted with the older rear diffuser, just like all the other 2013 Audi R8 LMS ultra cars around the world.

The lead Absolute Racing car includes the #7 entry (J-Fly Racing) with Marchy Lee and Jeffrey Lee, the duo who also competed for Absolute Racing last year. The second car is that of Philip Ma and Cong Fu Cheng, who are sharing the #98 car (Team Hong Kong Racing). The third car will be driven by Francis Hideki Onda and Alex Yoong, sharing the #888 car (Tunewear Racing).

Two more teams have also entered one Audi each. Hitotsuyama Racing is fielding their older Audi R8 LMS for the driver pairing of Billy Fung and Akihiro Asai, driving the #88 entry. The third Audi team this weekend includes a new Audi R8 LMS team. Dilango Racing has entered a 2013 Audi R8 LMS ultra for driver Dilantha Malagamuwa. This #24 entry was originally listed under the name of Nova Engineering, but it has subsequently been updated to Dilango Racing. They are another great addition to the ever growing Audi Sport customer racing family. 

Photo credit: J-Fly Racing

Audi expands with GT3 race series in Asia

Audi Press Release

•          Races in South Korea, Malaysia and Macau for the first time in 2013. Three races in China
•          Larger grid of cars with ex-DTM driver Rahel Frey
•          Audi R8 LMS Cup demonstrates technological expertise in Asian growth region

Ingolstadt/Beijing, April 17, 2013 – Audi expands from China into other Asian markets with the Audi R8 LMS Cup. Following the successful premiere season in China in 2012, Audi’s first one-make race series worldwide will now visit circuits in South Korea, Malaysia and Macau. The number of Audi R8 LMS GT3 race cars competing thus increases from 16 to more than 20. As a result, the automobile brand with the four rings gives motorsport in Asia another boost. 

“For us, the Audi R8 LMS Cup is an excellent ambassador for Audi’s sporting genes and technological expertise in the important Asian growth region,” says Rene Koneberg, Head of the Audi R8 LMS Cup. The series is comprised of twelve races held during six race weekends in 2013. Competing for the first time at the series opener on May 4 and 5 in Zhuhai, South China, are teams from the Audi representatives from South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

“We have strong new drivers. I expect things to be even closer at the front of the field this season. Audi sets new benchmarks in customer racing in Asia with the Cup,” says Koneberg. Newcomers to the field include last year’s DTM driver Rahel Frey and the internationally experienced Chinese race driver Congfu Cheng. In addition to Marchy Lee, the seasoned campaigner from Hong Kong who was last year’s winner, and the strong, budding talent Adderly Fong (second overall in 2012), the ex-Formula 1 driver from Malaysia Alex Yoong also sets his sights on overall victory. The attractive mix of established professionals and ambitious gentlemen drivers is further enhanced by Hong Kong’s showman Aaron Kwok. The singer and actor is a very talented hobby racing driver.

The Audi R8 LMS starts in 2013 with an upgrade kit that includes more engine power and modified aerodynamics. The settings and race data from every car are transparent and visible for every driver. “In this way, the amateurs can learn from the professionals and customer racing benefits as a whole,” says Koneberg. The race car shares more than 50 per cent of its technical base with the production road car. Audi Sport customer racing China provides gentlemen drivers in Asia with everything that a race driver needs – from license training courses to race ready race cars and an organizational structure to suit.

Alongside the overall classification in the R8 LMS Cup, there are also categories for amateurs and teams. Starting this year within the scope of the close cooperation with Audi’s Chinese joint venture, is also a separate class for dealers competing with their own teams. China is the largest single market worldwide for the brand with the four rings. Audi delivered more than 400,000 cars to Chinese customers for the first time in 2012.

Audi R8 LMS Cup, 2013 race calendar

03–05 May, Zhuhai International Circuit, China
05–07 July, Ordos International Circuit, China
02–04 August, Inje Auto Theme Park, Korea
28–31 August, Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
25–27 October, Shanghai International Circuit, China
09–10 November, Guia International Circuit, Macau

Photo credit: Audi Sport Media

Audi Signs Franky Cheng Congfu, Announces Season Finale at the 60th Macau Grand Prix

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release 

Beijing, April 5, 2013 – Audi has signed Chinese racing star Franky Cheng Congfu for the Audi R8 LMS Cup and the GT Asia series. The 28-year old joins Audi from Mercedes, with whom he made his DTM (the German Touring Car Championship) debut in 2010. 

The 2013 Audi R8 LMS Cup is set to kick into high gear in May and the full calendar will be announced shortly. The stellar season finale will be held on the Guia street circuit in support of the 60th Macau Grand Prix in November.

Commented Director of Audi Sport customer racing in China, Rene Koneberg: “We are delighted to welcome Franky Cheng to the Audi R8 LMS Cup and to the Audi motorsport family. The addition of Franky not only reflects our strong commitment to working with the region’s best drivers in the Audi R8 LMS Cup, but our vision to further develop motorsport in China and Asia.”

The Audi R8 LMS Cup was launched in 2012. In his debut season for the first ever one-makes cup of Audi, Franky Cheng Congfu adds to the mix of sportscar professionals, fledging talent and passionate enthusiasts. Cheng joins Audi with an impressive motorsport CV, including experience racing with A1 Team China, the FIA World Endurance Championship (LMP1 class), and at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he finished third in the LMP2 class in 2008.

Cheng, who has competed in both British Formula 3 and F3 Euro Series, also raced in the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix in 2008, and will make his Guia Circuit return when the Audi R8 LMS Cup takes to the challenging 6.2 km street circuit for its final race of the season.

Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Website at: www.audir8lmscup.com

Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup

Video: Inside the Audi team at Macau

By Johan Laubscher

The 2012 Macau Grand Prix was the scene of Edoardo Mortara’s fourth consecutive win at Macau. He was driving an Audi R8 LMS ultra in the Macau GT cup, entered by the Audi R8 LMS Cup team. The team did very well at the event and had entered two cars, one for Mortara and the second for Jeffrey Lee.

Here is a set of four videos documenting the team’s efforts at the 2012 Macau Grand Prix.

Macau Day 1 

Macau Day 2 

Macau Qualifying

Macau Race Day

Photos by: Audi R8 LMS Cup

Video: 2012 Macau GT Cup Full Race

By Johan Laubscher

Macau 2012 saw Edoardo Mortara re-establish himself as “Mr Macau,” by winning for the fourth time in succession. He won the Macau GT Cup event in an Audi 8 LMS ultra. He faced strong competition this year which included ex-Macau F3 winner Lucas Di Grassi in a Ferrari 458 Italia GT3. Despite the increased competition and losing the lead at the start, he was able to come through and win the race.

Here is the first full race video which has appeared on YouTube. It is over a hour of footage and is well worth the watch.

Photo by: Audi R8 LMS Cup

Video: Onboard 2012 Macau GT pole position lap

By Johan Laubscher

Edoardo Mortara, also known as “Mr Macau,” won his fourth successive event at Macau this weekend. It was his second Macau GT Cup victory at the wheel of an Audi R8 LMS ultra. Along with race victory he also claimed pole position.

Edoardo shared his pole lap video with the Official Audi Sport Facebookpage this afternoon. We have included that video below. The video features Edoardo taking pole position near the end of the second qualifying session held on Saturday. The video also includes extra insight with the addition of telemetry. Enjoy the sights and sounds, it is another faultless performance from Mr Macau.

Photo by: Audi R8 LMS Cup

Video: Race day at Macau

By Johan Laubscher

Mr Macau passing Di Grassi who jumped the start

As race day dawned at Macau, Edoardo Mortara and the Audi team were ready for the Macau GT Cup. Starting from pole the young Italian managed to regain the lead with a stunning out-braking maneuver and stormed onto victory.

Here is the latest video featuring the team and their second Macau GT Cup victory.

Photo by: Audi R8 LMS Cup

Audi retains Macau GT Cup crown with ‘Mr Macau’ Edoardo Mortara

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release 

·         Audi DTM ace Edoardo Mortara wins his fourth straight race on the Guia Circuit and defends Macau GT Cup title

·         Jeffrey Lee finishes fourth in GT Asia Series

·         Thrilling finale to strong Audi customer racing China season

Macau, November 18, 2012 – Audi DTM ace Edoardo Mortara took his fourth straight victory at the 59^th Macau Grand Prix, defending his Macau GT Cup crown with a masterful manoeuvre to stand atop the podium. Known as ‘Mr Macau’ for his successful dominance of the 6.2km Guia street circuit, Mortara competed with team Audi R8 LMS Cup in an Audi R8 LMS ultra, along with newly crowned Audi R8 LMS Cup Amateur Cup champion Jeffrey Lee. 

Mortara, the only driver to have twice won the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix and the current lap record holder, arrived in the city as the man to beat. In the first of two qualifying sessions, Mortara found himself caught in traffic and could not do better than second in Friday’s session. A day later, however, Mortara found a completely clear lap, recording the fastest time of the two sessions with a 2:20.617.

Starting from pole position, Mortara dropped a place as the cars thundered off the grid. While Lucas di Grassi in a Ferrari 458 GT3 would later be penalized for jumping the start, at the time Mortara was solely focused on finding a way past his rival. The opportunity came on Lap 4, with Mortara getting by at the notorious Lisboa Bend to grab the lead.

Mortara held the lead as he stormed relentlessly towards the flag, even after the restart which followed a Safety Car period, ultimately winning his second straight Macau GT Cup, ahead of Alexandre Imperatori in a Porsche 911 GT3 R and Danny Watts in the McLaren MP4-12C GT3.

Meanwhile Lee continued to fly the flag for Audi in the regional GT Asia Series, for which the Macau GT Cup served as its final round. Lee put in a strong performance in the second qualifying session to find himself lining up on the fifth row of the grid. While Lee did not finish as high as he had hoped, the Chinese Taipei driver finished fourth overall in the GT Asia Series points standings, while the team finished fifth.

Commented Director of Audi Sport customer racing in China, Rene Koneberg: “We are thrilled to celebrate Edoardo’s second win with Audi in the Macau GT Cup at the Macau Grand Prix and bring the curtain down on a fantastic season of Audi customer racing China. I would also like to congratulate Jeffrey on a strong Audi season this year, first with his Amateur Cup title in the Audi R8 LMS Cup and a strong result in this year’s GT Asia Series.”

The two entries in the Macau GT Cup are part of the expanding reach of the Audi China motorsport programme. The Audi R8 LMS Cup, the region’s newest international sportscar series and the first ever by the brand the Four Rings, was launched earlier this year. Hong Kong’s Marchy Lee was crowned the 2012 champion, with Jeffrey Lee taking the Amateur Cup honours.

With an official Audi R8 LMS Cup entry in the GT Asia Series, Audi China had an ideal platform to promote the series and Audi lightweight technology to audiences across Malaysia, Japan and Macau. Audi China also offers sportscar experience and race experience programmes, as well as race licensing courses for motorsport enthusiasts.

Rounding out the Audi R8 LMS ultra trio was Hong Kong’s Philip Ma with Team Hong Kong Racing, who finished 13^th in the race.

Quotes after the Macau GT Cup:

Edoardo Mortara:

“It’s always tough. It doesn’t matter who your toughest competitor is, it’s always tough. Today, Lucas [di Grassi] was pushing really hard. He obviously had a good package, and he put me in trouble. After the start, I thought the race win would be really difficult. I had to invent a move into Lisboa to overtake him.

“To be honest, I took a lot of risks, not only in Lisboa but through Mandarin as well. His car was faster on the straights, so I had to be faster in the corners. I just went flat out in Mandarin, almost crashed, and then broke 50 or 60 metres later than him into Lisboa. So it’s not that easy, I tell you!”

Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Website at: www.audir8lmscup.com

Video: Mr Macau Edoardo Mortara storming to victory

By Johan Laubscher

The big news of the morning was the Macau GT Cup victory for Edoadro Mortara. Despite loosing the lead at the start he was able to dominate the race and storm to his fourth successive victory at Macau, and his second with an Audi. He has previously won the F3 Macau race in 2009 and 2010 followed by winning the Macau GT Cup in 2011 and now 2012 as well.

Below is the first video from the race to emerge on YouTube, it shows the last three laps of the race after a long safety car period. Enjoy the sights and sounds.

Video: Mortara taking pole at Macau

By Johan Laubscher

Mr Macau, Edoardo Mortara successfully took pole position for the Macau GT Cup on Saturday. Bad luck struck the Italian during the first qualifying session where he did not manage to find a clear lap in traffic and only achieved second place. However the second qualifying sessions saw him find a clear lap and he once again took pole at Macau in an Audi. Here is a short highlights video featuring both of the qualifying sessions followed by interviews with the Audi crew.

History of Audi at Macau

By Johan Laubscher

Macau 2011

The streets of Macau are famous for hosting the prestigious Grand Prix of Macau. The Audi R8 LMS ultra will debut at Macau this year looking to defend the GT Cup title. Edoardo Mortara was victorious at the 2011 Macau GT Cup in his #66 Audi R8 LMS from Absolute Racing. The victory marked the third event victory at Macau for an Audi. Various Audis have entered events at Macau in the last two decades. We have included a brief history of the four rings at Macau below.

Macau 1993

The famous Macau Guia Race (touring car event) was the scene for the first four Audi appearances. The first Audi to take to the streets at Macau was an Audi V8 DTM entered by a Belgian team in 1993, driven by Bernard Winderickx. 

Macau 1996

Following the debut in 1993 there were entries of Audi A4 STW teams at Macau in 1996, 1998 and 1999. 1996 saw Frank Biela take the overall victory ahead of Brad Jones from Australia for an Audi 1-2 overall finish. 

Macau 1998

After missing the 1997 event, Audis returned to the streets in 1998 with the Australian Audi team consisting of Brad Jones and Frank Biela. Jones achieved a third place overall finish. 

Macau 1999

The 1999 Macau Guia race had the most Audis ever entered. A total of four Audis were entered by Phoenix Racing and Mayer Motorsport. It was a dominant display as Michael Bartels stormed to the second Audi victory at Macau.

Macau 2010

After the 1999 victory the Audi brand would not be seen at Macau for over a decade. The drought finally came to an end with the introduction of the Audi R8 LMS in 2009. At the end of 2010 the FIA GT3 specification racer from Audi made its Macau debut with United Autosports and Absolute Racing. The cars were competing in the Macau GT Cup. It was a successful debut with two podium places.

Macau 2011

In 2011 the victory was the clear goal, and Mr Macau, Edoardo Mortara, did not disappoint. Absolute Racing and Mortara were untouchable on their way to victory. Along with the victorious #66 Audi R8 LMS two more Audi entries came from United Autosports and Hitotsuyama Racing.

Macau 2012

The entry list for the 2012 Macau GT Cup includes the GT Asia competitors. There will be three Audis on the grid. Two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars from the Audi R8 LMS Cup team have been entered, which includes Edoardo Mortara. The third Audi R8 LMS ultra is the Team Hong Kong Racing entry of Phillip Ma. The 59th running of the Macau Grand Prix is set for 18 November 2012.

Below are videos from all the above mentioned Macau events where Audis have been entered. 

 1993 1996 1998 1999 20102011

Images: Audi R8 LMS images from the Absolute Racing FB page (LINK), touring car images are screenshots from the included videos. 

Audi set to defend Macau GT Cup crown

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release

·         Audi DTM ace Edoardo Mortara looks to defend Macau GT Cup title with Audi customer racing China

·         Audi R8 LMS Cup Amateur Cup champion Jeffrey Lee competes as part of GT Asia Series season finale

·         Thrilling finale at Macau Grand Prix caps superb Audi customer racing China season

Macau, November 14, 2012 – Having dominated the Macau GT Cup last year, Audi DTM ace Edoardo Mortara is set to defend his crown at this week’s 59th Macau Grand Prix. Known as “Mr. Macau”, Mortara will race for team Audi R8 LMS Cup. The team will also field newly-crowned Audi R8 LMS Cup Amateur Cup champion Jeffrey Lee in the prestigious race on the 6.2km Guia street circuit.  Both drivers will be at the wheel of an Audi R8 LMS ultra.

Mortara is the only man ever to have won two Formula 3 Macau Grands Prix and the current lap record holder. The Italian arrives in Macau from his Formula 1 test in Abu Dhabi, and two victories in Shanghai in the season finale of the Audi R8 LMS Cup at the weekend. Mortara finished fifth overall in this year’s DTM series, the German Touring Car Championship.

Lee, meanwhile, comes to Macau having clinched the Amateur Cup title in this year’s inaugural Audi R8 LMS Cup at the weekend.  The Macau GT Cup also counts as the final round of the GT Asia Series, and Lee will be looking to climb the leaderboard, where he currently lies third, before the final chequered flag of the season.

The two entries in the Macau GT Cup are part of the expanding reach of the Audi China motorsport programme. This year saw the debut of the first-ever Audi one-makes championship – the Audi R8 LMS Cup. Competing in identical Audi R8 LMS Cup cars, the field of 16 battled it out over 12 rounds. Marchy Lee of Hong Kong made history last weekend when he was crowned the world’s first Audi R8 LMS Cup champion.

In the GT Asia Series, the official Audi R8 LMS Cup entry showcases Audi ultra lightweight technology and the Audi customer racing programme to audiences in Malaysia, across Japan and now Macau. Audi China offers sportscar experience and race experience programmes as well as racing licence courses to motorsport enthusiast in Asia.

Commented Director of Audi Sport customer racing China, Rene Koneberg: “Following the successful season finale of the debut Audi R8 LMS Cup last weekend, we are delighted to close the year by competing this weekend at the 59th Macau Grand Prix. We look forward to defending our Macau GT Cup title with Edoardo Mortara, and to putting in a strong performance with our new Audi R8 LMS Cup Amateur Cup champion Jeffrey Lee.”

A third Audi R8 LMS ultra driven by Hong Kong’s Philip Ma with Team Hong Kong Racing completes the three-strong Audi line-up.

Practice for the Macau GT Cup at this year’s 59^th Macau Grand Prix is set for Thursday, with qualifying sessions on both Friday and Saturday.  The Macau GT Cup will take place on Sunday.

Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Website at: www.audir8lmscup.com

Marchy Lee clinches world’s first Audi R8 LMS Cup Championship

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release

·         Marchy Lee becomes first ever Audi R8 LMS Cup Champion

·         Edoardo Mortara does the double as he takes lights-to-flag victory at final round

·         Amateur Cup Champion Jeffrey Lee dominant again in Shanghai

Shanghai, November 11, 2012 – Hong Kong driver Marchy Lee has become the first ever Audi R8 LMS Cup Champion after crossing the line second in today’s twelfth and final round at the Shanghai International Circuit. The winner’s honours went to Audi Driving Dreams team guest driver Edoardo Mortara who took a confident lights-to-flag victory, giving him two race wins this weekend. Third across the line and sealing his second place overall in the championship was Adderly Fong driving for the KLM Team. Malaysia’s Alex Yoong was fourth in the Audi GQ car, confirming his third place in the overall points’ standings.

The Amateur Cup had already been taken by Jeffrey Lee in Saturday’s Round 11 but second and third places in the Amateur’s Cup were confirmed respectively today for Alex Au of AK Racing and top celebrity and accomplished driver Aaron Kwok of Team Audi R8 LMS Cup. The Teams’ championship was also wrapped up today with Audi Ultra taking top honours on 229 points ahead of Audi GQ on 193 points and KLM Team on 186 points.

An exciting mix of professionals, rising stars and passionate enthusiasts, the Audi R8 LMS Cup has seen 16 drivers compete against each other in identical cars. Racing across the region with rounds at Zhuhai, Shanghai and Ordos, the series is an optimum showcase for Audi lightweight technology. Along with partner, Michelin, who introduced a first in Asian motorsport – a long life tyre which lasts over the course of an entire weekend, Audi sees the Cup as the perfect opportunity to nurture motorsport talent and demonstrate its commitment to China and its customers in the region. As a further sign of this commitment it was announced today that Audi Korea will enter an official team in the Audi R8 LMS Cup for 2013.

Commented Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing China: “Audi is proud to have completed such a successful first ever single-make championship. Next year, we will go from strength to strength supporting motorsport across Asia.”

Today’s final round took place in cool but sunny conditions, a welcome contrast to the damp track of Saturday’s Round 11. As the field got away from the grid in the finishing order of the previous day’s race, it was clear that Mortara had the advantage from a clean rolling start. Determined not to interfere in the main battle for the Cup standings the Italian found himself under pressure to keep clear of the charging Audi Ultra of Marchy Lee. Lee meanwhile had the determined Fong and Yoong hot on his heels.

Further down the field, American amateur driver Dino Crescentini of Spark Motorsport spun at the start of lap 2. He rejoined at the back of the field but his chances of a second Amateur Cup win had slipped away. This left already crowned Amateur Cup Champion Jeffrey Lee and AK Racing’s title runner up Alex Au to enjoy a battle royale for podium honours.

Team Erdos Xinan’s Sun Zheng meanwhile had a storming start. The Chinese driver had received a late penalty after Saturday’s race and found himself at the back of the grid with a monumental task ahead of him. It was a challenge he seemed to relish as one by one he picked off his rivals. By lap six he was in seventh place overall and closing fast on Wang Jian Wei in the Team Betterlife car. Wang proved a tougher opponent but Sun Zheng eventually took him on lap 12, putting him in sixth place behind Team Zhe Jiang Aotong’s David Zhu whose solid race skills placed him fifth.

With the race entering its closing stages the back markers began to make their presence felt, enabling Fong to have a final but unsuccessful attempt at overhauling Lee. So as the cars took the final chequered flag of the season the top six finishers were Mortara followed by Marchy Lee, Fong, Zhu and Sun Zheng. The top Amateur Cup finishers were Jeffrey Lee, Au and star driver and personality Aaron Kwok in the Team Audi R8 LMS Cup car. Final placings for the Amateur Cup standings therefore confirmed Jeffrey Lee as Champion with runners up places going to Au and Kwok.

Quotes after Round 12:

Rene Koneberg (Director of Audi Sport customer racing China)

“We have seen some hard, close and fair racing this weekend, which is a testament to the quality of drivers and machinery in the Audi R8 LMS Cup throughout this inaugural season.  Audi is proud to have completed such a successful first ever single-make championship. Next year, we will go from strength to strength supporting motorsport across Asia. To underline that, we are pleased to announce today that Audi Korea will enter an official team in the Audi R8 LMS Cup for 2013. We look forward to welcoming them to the championship and for even more close racing than we have seen this year.”

Edoardo Mortara (Audi Driving Dreams)

“The start was good and I really wanted to disappear from the others so they could have their own battle.  But I think the advantage may have been a little too big.  Marchy was pushing hard mid-race and then we had a few back markers to deal with but overall it was a very smooth race.  Congratulations to Marchy (Lee), Adderly (Fong) and Alex (Yoong) on a great championship.”

Marchy Lee (Audi Ultra) – Audi R8 LMS Cup Champion

“Overall it was a very difficult race. Edoardo had a good start and I tried to follow but he was very fast. There was a bit of a gap between myself and Adderly but he was pushing all the time. Then we came up against a back marker and all I wanted to do was be safe so I didn't try and go through on the first corner. They really closed the door and I tried to keep calm inside the car.  Then I had Adderly right up behind me and I had to fight to keep calm and maintain control. I tried and pushed really hard for two laps to open up a gap - when I did I had to work to maintain the gap at around one second. I knew Adderly was going to push all the way and that is what he did to the end. I could see him in my rear view mirror on the last corner really pushing. It has been a very close and competitive season and to be fighting for the championship with Adderly on the last day has been exciting. I know it would have been much tougher if Alex (Yoong) had not missed a couple of races and it would certainly have been a three-way battle for the title. I’m really pleased for the team and grateful to everyone involved for making it a very special championship.”

Adderly Fong (KLM Team) – Audi R8 LMS Cup, 2^nd place

“I think Marchy (Lee) and myself had a lot of pressure on the grid and we could really feel some tension. I was certainly pushing for the whole race and I had my traction control setting at two so I could keep some life in the tyres. But with 11 laps to go I turned it right down to one which made the car quite difficult in the high speed corners. I was trying to catch Marchy throughout the race but I could see he was on the edge a couple of times, as was I. Both Marchy and I were blocked by back markers during the race, but we had one each so that seemed fair. Overall, it has been great racing and I think I have been very lucky to be here competing for the championship with these great drivers.”

Alex Yoong (Audi GQ) – Audi R8 LMS Cup, 3^rd place

“I have enjoyed everything about this year and if I hadn’t missed a couple of races then I may well have been in contention for the title, but we will never know. The Audi R8 LMS Cup is a great car and it has provided us with some very close racing this year.”

Jeffrey Lee (Pauian Archiland J-Fly Racing) – Audi R8 LMS Cup, Amateur Champion

“Because I won the Amateur title I will be racing as a Professional driver next year, but I don't mind at all. Driving as Amateur or Professional there will be some fierce competition in the Audi R8 LMS Cup championship next year. There was some pressure on myself and Alex (Au) because of the leader board and through the race yesterday, and again today, there was some contact between us. But that contact only made the racing more exciting and I hope we can both race together again in the future.”

Alex Au (AK Racing) – Audi R8 LMS Cup, 2^nd place Amateur

“I was expecting a nice relaxing weekend but there was some contact between Jeffrey (Lee) and myself in the first race. I was expecting it to be easier today, but Jeffrey (Lee) told me he was being easy on me! Jeffrey and I traded places but then my car started to feel quite bad. I lost another place and then had a spin. It wasn't until we got back to the pits at the end of the race that I found out I had a puncture on my front right tyre.”

Aaron Kwok (Team Audi R8 LMS Cup) – Audi R8 LMS Cup, 3^rd place Amateur

“This first season has been exciting for me and every part of it has been a highlight.  If I am spinning, overtaking or going off onto the grass, it has all been an experience to enjoy. It has also been a good opportunity to learn more about driving by being with such great drivers who have helped me improve and become a better driver. I hope Audi and I can work together again next year.”

Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Website at: www.audir8lmscup.com

Round 12– Results

Pos	Comp No	Name	Class	Entrant	Time
1	27	Edoardo MORTARA (G) (I)		Audi Driving Dreams	32:46.891
2	1	Marchy LEE (HK)		Audi Ultra	32:48.910
3	68	Adderly FONG (HK)		KLM Team	32:49.351
4	8	Alex YOONG (MAL)		Audi GQ	32:56.914
5	6	David ZHU (CN)		Team Zhejiang Aotong	33:09.584
6	33	SUN Zheng (CN)		Team Erdos Xinan	33:22.509
7	9	WANG Jian Wei (CN)		Team Betterlife	33:27.555
8	77	SUN Chao (CN)		PD Group Team	33:39.110
9	7	Jeffrey LEE (TPE)	AM	Pauian Archiland J-Fly Racing	34:02.312
10	99	Massimo VIGNALI (I)		Team Chengdu New Elements	34:04.788
11	88	Aaron KWOK (HK)	AM	Team Audi R8 LMS Cup	34:36.486
12	23	Alex AU (HK)	AM	AK Racing	+1 lap
13	66	ZHANG Ran (CN)	AM	Audi Castrol	+1 lap
14	13	Adrian FU (HK)	AM	FuSpeed Racing	+1 lap
15	75	Clifford CHEN (TPE)	AM	J-Fly Racing	+1 lap
16	3	Dino CRESCENTINI (USA)	AM	Spark Motorsport	DNF

(AM)      Amateur Cup Competitor

(G)          Guest Driver

Fastest Lap: Edoardo Mortara/Audi Driving Dreams/1:48.476

Overall Classification (top 10)*

1	Marchy LEE (HK)	229
2	Adderly FONG (HK)	217
3	Alex YOONG (MAL)	167
4	SUN Zheng (CN)	115
5	WANG Jian Wei (CN)	84
6	Jeffrey LEE (TPE)	77
7	David ZHU (CN)	60
8	SUN Chao (CN)	41
9	Charlie-Ro CHARLZ (AUS)	30
10	Kyong-Ouk YOU (KOR)	27

Amateur Cup Classification (top 5) *

1	Jeffrey LEE (TPE)	197
2	Alex AU (HK)	156
3	Aaron KWOK (HK)	129
4	ZHANG Ran (CN)	118
5	Adrian FU (HK)	111

*              Full classifications available on the Audi R8 LMS Cup website.