By Johan Laubscher
The GT Asia series held its first round in Japan this weekend. Twin
Ring Motegi hosted the event and a total of five Audi R8 LMS and ultra cars
took part.
Absolute Racing were out in force with three 2013 Audi R8 LMS ultra cars and a strong driver line-up. Two more Audis were entered by Dilango Racing and Hitotsuyama Racing, fielding one car each, an Audi R8 LMS ultra (2013) and an older R8 LMS respectively.
The Audis performed well during the sessions and achieved good qualifying
positions. All five Audis qualified within the top ten for race one, being lead
by the #7 R8 LMS ultra in third place. For race two three Audis were within the
top ten grid, again being lead by the #7 in third.
Race one saw very wet and difficult conditions on Saturday afternoon. The
Audis dropped back during the race, but an overall top five result was achieved by
the #98 Absolute Racing entry driven by Philip Ma and Cong Fu Cheng. The other
Audis finished outside of the top ten. Hitotsuyama Racing also finished within
the top five of their class, finishing fifth in the GTM class. The first race
was won by the #2 Asia Racing Team Porsche 911 GT3 R. The results from race one
can be seen HERE.
A sunny day greeted the competitors for race two on Sunday. The race
got underway on a dry track, a complete contrast to race one yesterday. The
race saw an improvement as three Audis finished within the top ten. The highest
placed Audi was again a fifth place finish overall, this time with the #7
Absolute Racing entry driven by Marchy Lee and Jeffrey Lee. The #888 of Francis
Hideki Onda and Alex Yoong finished sixth followed by the #88 entry from Hitotsuyama
Racing in ninth overall and second in the GTM class. Race two as won by the #007
Craft Racing Aston Martin Vantage V12 GT3. The results from race two can be seen HERE.
The second round of the GT Asia series will also take place in Japan, to be hosted at Okayama in June.
The second round of the GT Asia series will also take place in Japan, to be hosted at Okayama in June.
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