Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release
Challenging
weekend for Audi R8 LMS Cup pair in Malaysia
· Official Audi R8
LMS Cup entry takes pole for Round 3
· Racing incident
dents championship charge
· Team vows strong
comeback in Japan
Kuala Lumpur,
June 11, 2012 – The official
Audi R8 LMS Cup entry in the 2012 GT Asia Series weathered a dramatic weekend at
the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, but have vowed a strong comeback
as the championship heads to Japan for the next six races.
Having taken pole
position for Round 3, the Pro/Am pairing of Hong Kong’s Marchy Lee and Jeffrey
Lee of Chinese Taipei were on top form. Jeffrey qualified in 5th for
Round 4, and he and Marchy prepared for two tough races in the scorching
Malaysian heat.
The series’
Balance of Performance success ballast saw the Audi R8 LMS ultra weighed down
for the race, but the two determined drivers were undaunted. Pushing themselves
and the car to the absolute limits, try as they may, they saw their cornering
advantage lost on the fast straights.
Crossing the line
4th in Round 3, Jeffrey took the wheel for the start of Round
4.
Starting from 5th
on the grid, Jeffrey fell victim to a racing incident when another driver went
into him, tipping him into a spin. When seasoned professional Marchy took over,
the fought hard to make up places from the back of the field. After a heroic
effort, which saw him lapping an incredible two to three seconds faster than any
other car in the field, he crossed the finish line in 6th.
After four
thrilling races, the GT Asia Series now leaves Malaysia, and the official Audi
R8 LMS Cup entry will next be in action in the first of three race meetings in
Japan. Rounds 5 and 6 will be held at the Fuji International Speedway from July
14-15 as part of a Formula Nippon weekend.
Jeffrey
Lee:
“It was a really
tough weekend, and the racing incident in Round 4 was very unlucky – but that’s
racing! We did what we could, and we’re both looking forward to getting back
out on track in the Audi R8 ultra as the series moves to Japan. The Balance of
Performance ballast does make a big difference amongst a field so closely
matched, but we’re working better and better as a team with each
outing.”
Marchy
Lee:
“Jeffrey was
really unlucky to be involved in the Round 4 incident through no fault of his
own. There was nothing he could do. The upside is that I was lapping so much
faster than every other car in the charge through the field, so that just shows
the Audi R8 ultra has the power. That’s what makes this car such a joy to
drive, the fact we can recover from such a long way back. Japan, here we
come!”
Audi
R8 LMS Cup Official Website at: www.audir8lmscup.com
GT Asia Series
2012
Provisional
Calendar
|
Date
|
Event
|
Circuit
|
Rounds
|
|
May
26-27
|
Malaysian Super
Series
|
Sepang
International Circuit, Malaysia
|
1 &
2
|
|
June
9-10
|
Super GT
Series
|
Sepang
International Circuit, Malaysia
|
3 &
4
|
|
July
14-15
|
Formula
Nippon
|
Fuji International
Speedway, Japan
|
5 &
6
|
|
August
18-19
|
Super GT
Series
|
Suzuka Circuit,
Japan
|
7 &
8
|
|
September
29-30
|
Super GT
Series
|
Autopolis
International Circuit, Japan
|
9 &
10
|
|
November
16-18
|
59th
Macau Grand Prix (Macau GT Cup)
|
Guia Circuit,
Macau, China
|
11
|
More information:
