Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release
- Cup heads to Inje, South Korea, for the first race outside of China
- One of the first official events at the new Inje Auto Theme Park
- Alex Yoong Lead's the driver's championship ahead of Adderly Fong and Marchy Lee.
Beijing/Inje, August 1, 2013 – The Audi R8 LMS Cup will head to Inje in South Korea from August 2 to 4, for the third race weekend of the 2013 season. It is the first time the championship will journey beyond the borders of China, underlining the international pedigree of the sprint race series.
Rounds 5 and 6 will be the first home turf outing for Team Audi Korea and local racing star Kyong-Ouk You. The experienced South Korean will be hoping to use his home advantage to reach the podium for the first time this season. Heading into race weekend three, Malaysian driver Alex Yoong leads the standings after impressive driving in the opening four races of the season. Pushing Alex Yoong closely is Adderly Fong, who has shown great consistency to find himself in second place. In third place is last year's champion Marchy Lee.
"The races in South Korea are an important step in the expansion of the cup from China to additional Asian countries. We are committed to further develop motorsport in the Asian region", says Rene Koneberg, Head of Audi Sport customer racing Asia. "All drivers are racing for the first time at this new track in Inje. True driving skills will determine the winner."
The Inje circuit in South Korea was only completed in May 2013 and the Audi R8 LMS Cup will be one of the first official championships to take place at this FIA Grade 2 certified track. The new circuit will surely present one of the highlights of the series so far. After its successful maiden season in China in 2012, the Audi R8 LMS Cup has added new stops in South Korea, Malaysia and Macau for 2013. Teams from Audi Taiwan, Audi Hong Kong and Audi Korea have newly joined the competition this year.
"It is a great pleasure for Audi Korea to be part of the Audi R8 LMS Cup and to welcome the series to Inje. Audi has always been pushing technological limits. It was racing circuits and rallies that helped to give birth to our light, quick-to-respond, environment-friendly and powerful Audi models", says Johannes Thammer, Managing Director of Audi Korea.
Audi AG launched its Audi Korea wholly-owned subsidiary in October 2004. Audi Korea delivered 15,126 vehicles in 2012, a remarkable 46% increase compared to 2011, and a 1,174% increase since its establishment in 2004.
Last time out in July, in Ordos, Northern China, Alex Yoong took the chequered flag in round 3 only to be demoted later in the day after being given a 20 second penalty for a false start, subsequently handing the victory to Marchy Lee. In Round 4 Alex Yoong was determined not to have his whole race weekend spoiled by the earlier set-back and dominated from start to finish.
Alongside the overall classification for the 2013 Audi R8 LMS Cup, there are categories for amateurs, teams and a special dealer trophy for teams of Audi dealerships.
Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Website: www.audir8lmscup.com
Audi R8 LMS Cup, 2013, Upcoming Races
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
