Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release
· Official Audi R8
LMS Cup entry reaches podium in Round 7
· Jeffrey Lee now
third in GT Asia Series championship standings
· Suzuka races
support Japan Super GT
Suzuka, August
19, 2012 – The official Audi R8 LMS Cup entry reached the podium in Round 7 of the
GT Asia Series, with the pairing of Shanghai-based Swiss Alexandre Imperatori
and Jeffrey Lee of Chinese Taipei earning some crucial championship points in
the two races at Suzuka Circuit.
With regular partner Marchy Lee of Hong Kong away
in Inner Mongolia for Rounds 7&8 of the Audi R8 LMS Cup in Ordos, exciting
young talent Imperatori was drafted in to partner Lee as the two flew the flag
for the Audi R8 LMS Cup in Suzuka.
Qualifying got the weekend off to a strong start,
with Imperatori recording the second fastest time of the first qualifying
session in his Audi R8 LMS Cup ultra. Lee put in a strong performance in the
second qualifying session, resulting in the team starting from the fourth row
for the second race of the weekend.
With a third-place finish in Round 7 and a fifth-place finish in Round
8, Lee is now third in the championship standings, 19 points out of second
place.
Imperatori started Round 7 from second on the grid
and set off to catch the race leader and, in the process, set what would be the
fastest lap of the weekend – a 2:05.390 – showing the speed and the benefits of
Audi lightweight technology.
After 10 laps, Lee took over driving duties and
when the race leader got stuck in the gravel, Lee moved into the lead with six
laps remaining.
Lee fended off the competition and kept the field
at bay, but unfortunately on the last lap, the second-place driver made an
overtaking manoeuvre and touched Lee. Both drivers spun, with Lee recovering to
finish third and take the final podium position.
In Round 8, Lee started from seventh, holding his
position on the 5.807-km circuit. However, the team’s podium hopes were
challenged after a pit lane error resulted in a drive-through penalty.
A determined Imperatori set off to work his way up
the grid and made up a few crucial positions, before crossing the finish line
fifth.
An ideal platform to showcase Audi lightweight
technology against other leading automotive marques, the GT Asia Series is
further enhanced by a mandatory pit stop and Balance of Performance success
ballast regulations.
Commented Director of Audi Sport customer racing in
China, Rene Koneberg: “Although we had a bit of a challenge this weekend in
Suzuka, there are also many positives. We were in the lead in Round 7 and only
a bit of bad luck cost us the win, and a mega lap by Alexandre Imperatori in
Round 7 proved to be the fastest lap of the weekend, showing the speed of the
Audi R8 LMS ultra.”
Rounds 9&10 of the GT Asia Series will take
place in September, before the showcase season finale as part of the Macau GT
Cup at the 59th Macau Grand Prix.
Jeffrey Lee:
“We’re pleased to have reached the podium in Round
7, although we are also disappointed that we didn’t get the win. Round 8 was a
bit more challenging and with the series as competitive as it is, there is no
room for error. I’m looking forward to getting back in the Audi R8 LMS ultra
and racing in Autopolis next month.”
Alexandre Imperatori:
“Today was not as close as we had hoped. We
were definitely in a position to challenge for a podium spot in Round 8, if not
for the pit lane penalty. We had a bit of bad luck this weekend. I feel like we
could have won in Round 7, but that’s racing for you!”
Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Website at: www.audir8lmscup.com
