Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release
Audi R8 LMS Cup
mounts desert challenge in Ordos
· Hong Kong’s
Adderly Fong tops leaderboard heading into Round 5
· Series makes
Inner Mongolian debut at technical Ordos circuit
· Tight
championship fight in debut Audi R8 LMS Cup season
Ordos, August 15,
2012 –Asia’s hot new
international championship, the Audi R8 LMS Cup, heads to the
desert plains of Inner Mongolia for two races this weekend at the unforgiving
Ordos International Circuit.
With its exciting mix of experienced professionals and fledging talent, the Audi R8 LMS Cup has attracted attention far beyond China and Asia. As the brand’s first-ever one-make series, the series is the optimum showcase for Audi technology and for both top talents and rising stars to show their racing mettle.
Known for its
elevations, technical corners and constantly-changing surface conditions, the
Ordos International Circuit will provide an opportunity for the 16-strong field
to mount a challenge to current series leader Adderly Fong of KLM Racing. The
Hong Kong single-seater star, making his sports car competition debut this
season, is 13 points ahead of former Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong of Malaysia of
Audi GQ. Former FIA World Touring Car Championship driver Marchy Lee of Hong
Kong is currently third on the leaderboard.
There are plenty
of other talents in the field, all racing identical Audi R8 LMS Cup cars and
among those to watch is 20-year old rising Chinese talent Sun Zheng of Team
Erdos Xinan, who earned a podium finish in Round 3 and who can count on plenty
of home support as he guns for his first Audi R8 LMS Cup victory.
Commented
Director of Audi Sport customer racing in China, Rene Koneberg: “After our
successes in Shanghai and Zhuhai, we are delighted to race in Inner Mongolia for
the first time. The technical challenges and complex layout of Ordos
International Circuit will lend themselves perfectly to the agile handling and
lightweight technology of the Audi R8 LMS.”
Three titles are
up for grabs in 2012: The Audi R8 LMS Cup overall title, an Amateur category, and a
Teams award, with each round points-scoring.
With Amateur Cup
leader Jeffrey Lee of Chinese Taipei missing the upcoming races, on duty in
Suzuka as part of the official Audi R8 LMS Cup entry in the GT Asia Series,
Rounds 5&6 represents a golden opportunity for his rivals. No doubt Hong
Kong driver Byron Tong, second in the category, will try to gain valuable
championship points, as will lady driver Zhang Ran of Audi Castrol, buoyed by
her class podium in Round 4.
Highly acclaimed
entertainer Aaron Kwok of Team Audi R8 LMS Cup will be looking to match his
superb performance in Round 2, which saw him take a class win, while respected
racer, blogger and novelist Han Han returns to the series this weekend with Team
Zhe Jiang Aotong.
“Whatever the
elements conjure up for us this weekend, the car, the drivers and our tyre
partner Michelin are more than ready to rise to the challenge”, says
Koneberg.
Following the
season launch in April in Shanghai, the series moved to the Southern Chinese
city of Zhuhai for Rounds 3&4. Following the Ordos meeting, the series
returns to Zhuhai in September before November’s Shanghai season
finale.
Audi
R8 LMS Cup Official Website at: www.audir8lmscup.com
Rounds 5&6
Entry List:
No.1/Marchy LEE
(HKG)/Audi Ultra
No.3/Hugues
RIPERT (HKG)/Spark Motorsport/Am
No.6/HAN Han
(CHN)/Team Zhe Jiang Aotong
No.7/Kevin TSE
(MAC)/Pauian Archiland J-Fly Racing
No.8/Alex YOONG
(MAL)/Audi GQ
No.9/WANG Jian
Wei (CHN)/Team Betterlife
No.13/Adrian FU
(HKG)/FuSpeed Racing/Am
No.23/Alex Au
(HKG)/AK Racing/Am
No.27/Byron
TONG/Audi Driving Dreams/Am
No.33/SUN Zheng
(CHN)/Team Erdos Xinan
No.66/ZHANG Ran
(CHN)/Audi Castrol/Am
No.68/Adderly
FONG (HKG)/KLM Team
No.75/Pekka
SAARINEN (FIN)/J-Fly Racing Team
No.77/SUN Chao
(CHNG)/P D GROUP Team
No.88/Aaron KWOK
(HKG)/Team Audi R8 LMS Cup/Am
No.99/HUA Xia Wei
(CHN)/Team Chengdu New Elements
More information:
