Audi
R8 LMS Cup Press Release
Beijing,
July 5th, 2013 – The teams of the Audi R8 LMS Cup will be heading to Ordos in
Northern China from July 5 to 7 for rounds three and four of the 2013 cup
season. Joining the field for the first time will be Chinese racing sensation
“Franky” Cheng Congfu. Cheng completed the famous 24 Hours race of Le Mans in
June and brings ten years of global racing experience to the competition.
"The addition of Cheng Congfu further increases the high level of competition in the Audi R8 LMS Cup. Our series provides a leading platform for the best racing professionals in China and Asia. I expect two very tight races in Ordos", says Rene Koneberg, Head of the Audi R8 LMS Cup.
Ordos International Circuit will bring
a new set of challenges for the field of top professional and ambitious amateur
drivers. Although 0.6 kilometer shorter in distance than last race weekend’s
Zhuhai circuit, the track presents drivers with a greater number of high-speed
corners and overtaking opportunities. Unpredictable weather and occasional sand
storms add additional challenges.
2012’s overall champion Marchy Lee,
will be looking to get his season back on track, as he travels to Ordos as
fourth overall. Leading the standings is Alex Yoong from Malaysia, ahead of
Adderly Fong from Hong Kong. Chinese driver Sun Zheng will be hoping that his
recent British Formula Three podium finish can inspire him to make further
inroads. Swiss racer Rahel Frey, who joined the cup this year from the German
Touring Car Masters, DTM, will be seeking to build upon her spirited debut last
time out.
In Zhuhai in May, the leading drivers
were able to clock quicker lap times than in 2012, underlining the efforts by
Audi engineers in optimizing the engine mapping and aerodynamics of this year’s
cup version of the Audi GT3 race car.
The Audi R8 LMS Cup is the first Audi
one-make series in the world. Following its successful premiere in China in
2012, the series expands across Asia in 2013, with additional races in South
Korea, Malaysia, and Macau. The number of Audi R8 LMS race cars has increased
from last year’s 16 to at least 20. With the thrilling series, the brand with
the four rings gives motorsport in Asia another exhilarating boost. The cup is
comprised of six race weekends in 2013, and competing for the first time are
Audi teams from South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Last time out in Zhuhai saw Alex Yoong
take the checkered flag in the first race with a scintillating drive, followed
closely by Adderly Fong, and 2012 champion Marchy Lee. In the second race,
guest driver André Couto capped a dominate performance, adding 1st place to the
pole position he had secured in the qualifying session earlier in the
weekend.
Alongside the overall classification
for the 2013 R8 LMS Cup, there are also categories for amateurs and teams. In
addition, an independent dealer class has been introduced this year, as part of
the close cooperation of the cup with the Audi Joint-Venture FAW-Volkswagen in
China. China has become the single largest market of Audi. In 2012 Audi made
the significant milestone of delivering 400,000 units to Chinese customers in
one year.
Audi
R8 LMS Cup Official Website: www.audir8lmscup.com
Audi
R8 LMS Cup, 2013 race calendar
05–07 July, Ordos International
Circuit, China
02–04 August, Inje Auto Theme Park,
South 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 R8 LMS Cup
