Friday, July 11, 2014

GT Asia: Audi returns to Japan


Audi Press Release

  • Five Audi entries in Rounds 5 and 6 of the GT Asia series
  • Team aiming for improved results
  • Audi Factory driver Christopher Mies joins the lineup
Japan, July 11, 2014 – The five Audi entries are hoping for an improved performance at the Fuji International Speedway in Japan for the fifth and sixth rounds of the GT Asia series from July 11-13. Audi took first and second place in Fuji last year and Team Absolute Racing is confident of achieving similar success again.

“The very long straight in Fuji is not to our advantage, with the difference in speed in the competition. But with the weather being unpredictable and counting on our drivers and team putting in good performances all round, we will hopefully have a good weekend and come away with podium finishes and positive results,” commented Fabien Fior, Director of Absolute Racing.

In the GT3 class, Jeffrey Lee, who took first place at the Fuji International Speedway last year, will drive his usual car number 7, partnered by Audi Factory driver Christopher Mies, whose addition strengthens the lineup. Alex Yoong, who came second in Fuji last year, will drive with Philip Ma in car 98. In the GTM class, Jacky Yeung will partner Keith Wong in the number 77 Audi R8 LMS Cup car; Joe Hsu and Han Lin will drive car 22, and Japanese gentleman driver Francis Onda will be in car 86 in front of his home crowd.


Despite putting in great performances last time round at Autopolis in the third and fourth rounds, the drivers suffered from bad luck with accidents which limited their final results. Although the results were disappointing, all the drivers were really good for pace and posted some great lap times. More positively, Jacky Yeung, in his Audi R8 LMS Cup car, finished second in the GTM class in Round 3 for his third podium of the 2014 season in the competition.

In Rounds 1 and 2 of GT Asia at the Korea International Circuit, Jacky Yeung enjoyed the best results, with a win in the GTM class. Elsewhere, Alex Yoong and Matt Solomon endured a tough race in the first round but managed to finish in fourth.

The qualifying sessions will be held on Friday July 11, with Rounds 5 and 6 taking place on Saturday July 12 and Sunday July 13 respectively.

Photo credit: GT Asia Series