Audi R8 LMS Cup: Catching up with Edoardo Mortara

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release

Audi DTM driver Edoardo Mortara was back in Asia this weekend and reunited with the Audi R8 LMS Cup. No stranger to the Cup, Mortara made his debut in the final round of the inaugural season in 2012, and has returned regularly over the years in between his duties as a front-running Audi DTM driver.

Currently 4th in the DTM championship, we caught up with ‘Edo’, as he is affectionately known, at the Penbay International Circuit to talk about life as an Audi DTM driver and what it’s like to be back with the Cup:

How does it feel to be back in Asia with the Cup and in a GT car?

“I love the Audi R8 LMS Cup!Joining the Cup and seeing lots of friends, enjoying the atmosphere, racing at different places around the world that I’ve never known – it’s my first time to Taiwan for me for example – makes it really cool!

“The DTM and Cup cars require different approaches and driving styles. The Audi DTM is more like a prototype, with every component built for racing. While it’s true the two cars are completely different, it’s very important to adapt. As a driver, it’s important to try many different things and use different techniques. The goal is always the same:to get more performance.”

How is your DTM season going so far?

“This is my fifth season in DTM. I’ve had some ups and downs; some very good years, one very bad year. This year started pretty well. I had a very strong first race weekend with one 4th and one 2nd, so was leading the championship after the first race weekend.

The second one was also pretty positive and I was ranked 2nd after the weekend. The third, though, was a bit difficult because we have a system of weights.

The better your performance, the more weight you carry on the car. We were the heaviest possible on the third weekend, which was a street circuit, and for four corners it was basically braking, turning, acceleration, where the weight has a big influence. Unfortunately we couldn’t really do a lot.”

And what are your thoughts ahead of the next rounds?

“The next DTM weekend will be very important. At the moment I’m 4th in the championship, but because of the last weekend we’re losing 10kg for the next round and our competitor will gain 10kg, so that will make us more competitive.

Looking at what we did in the first two weekends, I know we can aim for a very strong result, and definitely we need to do something good if I still want to have a chance to win the championship.”

Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup / Audi Media

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Audi R8 LMS Cup: Mortara takes victory in Cup Taiwan debut

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release 

Edoardo Mortara took a convincing victory in Round 5 of the Audi R8 LMS Cup today as the championship introduced international motorsport to Taiwan for the first time. In searing heat, the Italian crossed the line 1.313 seconds ahead of second-placed Franky Cheng of China at the new 3.527km Penbay International Circuit. Third across the line was Dane Thomas Fjordbach. In front of cheering home fans, local hero Johnson Huang took the Amateur Cup win, his debut Cup victory, from Malaysia’s Ashraff Dewal and Australian Daniel Bilski.

Said Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia: “It has been a privilege for the Audi R8 LMS Cup to introduce international motorsport to Taiwan, together with Audi Taiwan and the local motorsport community, led by Jeffrey Lee of J-Fly International. We hope this event is the start of a lasting motorsport legacy in Taiwan.

“The Penbay International Circuit has provided our Audi R8 LMS Cup drivers with a true challenge, while the heat has tested their stamina to the max. We look forward to two more hard-fought races tomorrow.”

The five local drivers acquitted themselves well on home turf, with Jeffrey Lee running sixth overall for much of the 16-lap race before dropping down the order in the closing stages to finish behind Huang in tenth.

With his fourth place finish, India’s Aditya Patel takes the lead in the Overall championship race, three points ahead of Fjordbach. Rahel Frey, for whom Mortara is standing in this weekend, is now in third place on the leaderboard, 10 points adrift of Patel. Dewal tops the Amateur Cup standings after five races from Bilski and Huang.

At the rolling start, Mortara got away well from pole but behind him an opening lap coming together between Marchy Lee and Cheng, second and third on the grid, saw the Hong Kong driver handed a drive-through penalty by race Stewards which dropped him down to fifth by the flag. Alex Yoong and Fjordbach also came together on Lap 1, with the Malaysian dropping down the order. Yoong, carrying 50kg ballast from his last outing with the Cup in Round 2, was unable to find his way past Stefano Montesi, who defended well all the way to the flag.

With the fastest lap of each driver in Round 5 deciding the grid for the next race, Mortara’s fastest lap of the race secures him pole for his first-ever Cup standing start in Round 6. Lining up alongside will be Marchy Lee.

Quotes after Round 5

Edoardo Mortara (Castrol Racing Team)

“I have learned that no matter what the gap is – a tenth of a second advantage or a 10 lap advantage – the result of the race is the same. Knowing that I had to qualify for Round 6, I pushed for one lap, used two or three push to pass at the beginning of the first lap just to try to get away. Then I used five or six to qualifying, and then did the rest of the race with ten Push to Pass left and used them in the last few laps, just cruising and managing the tyres for the next two races. That was important and I think I did a good job of that. I think even with 50kg more I can fight more tomorrow.”

Franky Cheng (FAW-VW Audi Racing Team)

“Today’s start was quite good and I just followed Edoardo. At Turn 1, I got by Marchy but at Turn 4, I wasn’t expecting him to overtake me at the narrowest point of the track. He was penalised for what was quite a big contact, but fortunately just the door was damaged so I was able to continue the race.”

Thomas Fjordbach (Federal-Mogul Motorparts Racing Team)

“I was P4 after the third corner, then there was an accident in front so that was a free gift to me to gain a position. [After that] I just drove my own race. I tried to follow Franky but it was more or less the same gap all the way.”

Johnson Huang (BC Racing)

“I just focused on driving today. I didn’t realise I was going to win this race! I’m very happy driving at Penbay because it’s like my home here, and I have spent a lot of time familiarizing myself with the circuit. I feel as though I know every corner very well.”

Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup

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Audi R8 LMS Cup: B-Quik Racing heading for triple header in Taiwan

B-Quik Racing Press Release

After a seven week break Audi’s pan-Asian ‘R8 Cup’ series resumes action at Penbay International Circuit this coming weekend (4-5 July) and for driver Daniel Bilski and the B-Quik team, as well as for the ‘one make’ championship itself, it will mark a first ever visit to the Taiwanese racetrack.

With two rounds and four races of the 2015 season completed, held at Zhuhai, China, in March, and Yeongam, Korea, in May, B-Quik Racing has enjoyed a very promising start to its first ever campaign in the ‘R8 Cup’.

Daniel, racing in the hotly competitive Amateur Cup (AM) already has a win to his name and is handily placed in the championship points’ standings. Current classification leader, Ashraf Dewal, has 55 points, while Daniel is in second place on 46 points. He also has a useful gap over the driver behind him, Jacky Yeung, who has 32 points.

The visit to Penbay will mark the halfway point of the ‘R8 Cup’ season so the stakes are starting to climb. The track, located near Donggang in Taiwan’s Pingtung Country on the southern part of the island, only opened for racing in 2011 and is designed to FIA Grade 2 standard. The circuit is 3.527 km long with 16 turns.

This will be the one make series’ first visit to Penbay so that means a lot of the drivers in action this coming weekend will have to get up to speed with the track and that scenario also applies to Daniel. So, just as was the case during the last round of the R8 Cup at Yeongam, it will be a second consecutive new circuit for the Australian to learn from scratch and to prepare himself he's been spending time in the simulator.

There will be an extra twist in the tale in Taiwan though as this coming weekend will see the only ‘triple header’ of the R8 Cup season. That means the bumper helping of AM Drivers’ championship points on offer are going to be crucial to everyone making a serious challenge for the title. It’s certainly an event that could make or break title hopes, even if it’s still only the halfway stage in the championship.

The ‘extra’ race is being added to the programme to compensate for the second race of the year (in Zhuhai), which had covered less than 50% of the planned distance when red flags were waved. While the race result officially stood, championship points couldn’t be awarded due to the distance covered at that point and this weekend’s additional race is being squeezed in as a substitute.

However Daniel and the B-Quik team are quietly confident that they can continue to maintain the positive momentum they have enjoyed so far this season and are look forward to taking full advantage of the ‘triple header’, keep firmly focused on collecting as many championship points as possible, and continue to mount a serious push for the AM title.

Qualifying and the first race of the weekend, which has a 1615 start time (all times are local), will take place on Saturday 4 July while the second and third races will start at 0945 and 1400, respectively, the following day, Sunday 5 July.

Daniel Bilski: “After the great results we achieved in Korea, I’m really looking forward to the triple-race weekend in Taiwan. The pressure is definitely on with the points’ gaps in the championship standings being very tight. It shows how tough this championship is and with the level of talent on the grid, I’m sure the racing will be super-close. It will be very important to score consistent points in all three races in Taiwan and I’m looking forward to pushing my pace up a notch. It will be my first time at the Penbay circuit, so I’ve been spending as much time as I can in the Sideways Driving Club Simulator in Hong Kong to learn the track, which looks very challenging, so it’s going to be tough. It appears to be very tight and overtaking will not be easy but I’m confident the whole B-Quik Racing team will do everything possible to push for maximum points on the weekend."

Photo credit: B-Quik Racing

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Nürburgring 24 Hours: Audi Sport customer racing Asia announces N24 drivers with Audi race experience

By Johan Laubscher

Audi Sport customer racing Asia has announced the four-man driver line-up for its entry with one Audi R8 LMS ultra in the Nürburgring 24 Hours this year.

Audi race experience (TKL Motorsport) will be running the Audi R8 LMS ultra at the Nürburgring 24 Hours from 14-17 May.

At the Nürburgring the Audi R8 LMS ultra will be entrusted to four Audi R8 LMS Cup race drivers. The quartet includes the reigning Cup champion, Alex Yoong, who will be joined by the 2012 Cup champion, Marchy Lee, and also Franky Cheng Congfu and Shaun Thong. Thong is also taking part in the Audi Sport TT Cup in Germany this year.

This Nürburgring 24 Hours project from Audi Sport customer racing Asia began with an outing for Marchy Lee, Franky Cheng Congfu and Shaun Thong at round nine of the 2014 VLN Endurance Series. They were behind the wheel of an Audi race experience (TKL Motorsport) Audi R8 LMS ultra (pictured below).

Editor's note (Johan Laubscher): Audi race experience will be running this Audi R8 LMS ultra entry at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. It will not be run by Phoenix Racing, as was previously stated by myself on the Audi Motorsport Blog. I thank Phoenix Racing's media team for pointing out the mistake and I apologise for the oversight.

Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup

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Audi R8 LMS Cup: Successful debut standing start before Round 2 halted

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release

Zhuhai, March 22, 2015 - After a thrilling debut standing start for Round 2 of the Audi R8 LMS Cup, the race was subsequently halted by officials on Lap 4. Large quantities of sawdust had been put down after oil was left on track during earlier sessions. As Round 2 got underway, the sawdust was sucked into the cooling ducts, blocking the cooling systems and causing the engines to overheat. In the interests of safety, the race was red flagged.

All cars were recalled to the pits. After it became clear that the extensive cleaning required by the large quantities of sawdust could not be completed in time, it was not possible to restart the race.

Said Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia: “The standing start went extremely well today and, with the new launch control technology, every car started with good pace.  I’m delighted that the first ever Audi R8 LMS Cup standing start was such a success.

“We fully support the decision to halt the race taken by the Audi R8 LMS Cup Race Director as safety is paramount. Stopping the race was the right decision. We will endeavour to add a 13th round to the Audi R8 LMS Cup 2015.”

Per series Regulations, the halted race counts as Round 2 with more than two laps completed before the red flag. Because less than 50% of race distance had been completed, no points were awarded.

Prior to the stoppage, Round 1 winner and pole-sitter Alex Yoong of Audi TEDA Racing Team made a superb getaway in his first standing start in six years. A new innovation this season, the crowds heard the field roar off the grid in the Cup’s first-ever standing start. With new launch control technology, all 20 Audi R8 LMS Cup cars got away cleanly.

Behind Yoong, Marchy Lee of Audi Hong Kong Team, second on the grid, dropped back after a coming together at Turn 1 with Cup newcomer Thomas Fjordbach of FM Racing. The Dane, who started from the third row, made up two positions at the start before braking too late into the first turn. Female driver Rahel Frey of Castrol Racing Team started from third on the grid, but lost out to India’s Aditya Patel of Team Audi R8 LMS Cup at the start, before dropping further down the order after Turn 1.

With the standing start bringing the field even closer, by the end of Lap 1 it was Yoong who led Patel, Fjordback, Kimi Qin of SCC Sportscar Club and Frey, who rounded out the top five.

The official finishing positions for Round 2 are taken from the order at the end of Lap 2, per series’ Regulations.  In the Amateur Cup, Hong Kong’s Daniel Bilski of B-Quik Racing finished ahead of CTVS Racing Team driver Alex Au.

The Audi R8 LMS Cup 2015 season continues with Rounds 3 and 4 from May 15-17 at the Korea International Circuit in South Korea. With Yoong and Lee joining Shaun Thong and Franky Cheng as the first all-Asian Audi race experience team line-up for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, the four will be absent from Korea. This will give their rivals an ideal opportunity to amass valuable championship points.

Quotes after Round 2

Alex Yoong (Audi TEDA Racing Team)

“I nailed the start. The launch control worked perfectly and the car was great. I was really happy with my fist lap. Although the conditions were very tricky, I just guessed right and pulled a gap. Then I noticed my rivals were dropping further back and I wasn’t really pushing, so I knew something was up. Unfortunately there was the overheating problem from the sawdust for everyone. I didn’t have any problems as I was at the front. It’s a big shame though as I knew I could have got some more points over my rivals for the championship today.

The standing start was great fun. I was thinking, ‘wow, this is exciting!’ I’d forgotten how exciting a standing start was and I’d never done one in a GT3 car. I’m happy with that.”

Aditya Patel (Team Audi R8 LMS Cup)

“It was interesting. I hadn’t done a standing start in a GT car before, and I think most of the field hadn’t either. I thought I had a good start as I had Marchy and Rahel for reference, but as I went down the straight I saw Thomas coming alongside, so I knew it wasn’t such a good start.

Everybody got off OK. When we revved up on the grid, I could hear it in the car so I can imagine what it was like outside. I think everybody loved it!”

Thomas Fjordbach (Team FM Racing)

“My start was very good. I like standing starts and I think I’m good at them, although this was my first time doing it with a rear-wheel drive. I’ve done standing starts in touring cars, but not GT cars, but most importantly it was new for everyone. Yesterday,  I made a mistake in the rolling start because I forgot to use Push-to-Pass at the start as it was my first Audi R8 LMS Cup race. Today I used it and managed to overtake two positions, but then I braked too late and hit Marchy.”

Audi R8 LMS Cup website: www.audir8lmscup.com

Round 2 results

1. 1/Alex YOONG/MAL/Audi TEDA Racing/3:20.997
2. 8/Aditya PATEL/IND/4R/Team Audi R8 LMS Cup/+2.481
3. 54/Thomas FJORDBACH/DEN/Team FM Racing/+4.794
4. 6/Kimi QIN/CHN/SCC Sportscar Club/+5.754
5. 66/Rahel FREY/SUI/Castrol Racing Team/+6.251
6. 88/Marchy LEE/HKG/4R/Audi Hong Kong Team/+10.645
7. 59/Daniel BILSKI/HKG/Am/B-Quik Racing/+13.076
8. 12/Alex AU/HKG/Am/CTVS Racing Team/+13.565
9. 11/Kyong-Ouk YOU/KOR/4R/Audi Korea/+13.965
10. 26/Shaun THONG/CHN/Michelin Racing Team/+14.202
11. 69/Ashraff DEWAL/MAL/Am/Team Asiasport/+14.961
12. 51/Johnson HUANG/TPE/Am/BC Racing/+16.292
13. 39/Stefano MONTESI/HKG/4R/Team Betterlife/17.826
14. 56/Samson CHANG/HKG/Am/Z Racing/+18.650
15. 7/Jeffrey LEE/TPE/4R/Team Audi Volkswagen Taiwan/+19.519
16. 3/Hugues RIPERT/HKG/Am/4R/Team Chengdu New Elements/+19.814
17. 99/Franky CHENG/CHN/4R/FAW-VW Audi Racing Team/+20.527
18. 33/Tommy WONG/HKG/Am/Starspeed Racing/+21.520
19. 77/Jacky YEUNG/HKG/Am/Tiger Racing Team/+22.485
20. 36/Sam LOK/HKG/Am/Starspeed Racing/+1 Lap

2015 Audi R8 LMS Cup
Overall Classification after Round 2 – Top 10

1. Alex YOONG – 25
2. Rahel FREY – 19
3. Aditya PATEL – 15
4. Marchy LEE – 12
5. Franky CHENG – 10
6. Thomas FJORDBACH – 8
7. Kimi QIN – 6
8. Shaun THONG – 4
9. Kyong-Ouk YOU – 2
10. Samson CHAN – 1

Am Cup Classification after Round 2 – Top 5

1. Samson CHAN – 25
2. Hugues RIPERT – 18
3. Ashraff DEWAL – 15
4. Johnson HUANG – 12
5. Sam LOK – 10

Team Cup Classification after Round 2 – Top 5

1. Audi TEDA Racing Team – 25
2. Castrol Racing Team – 19
3. Team Audi R8 LMS Cup/4R – 15
4. Audi Hong Kong Team/4R – 12
5. FAW-VW Audi Racing Team/4R – 10

Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup

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Audi R8 LMS Cup: Victory for Yoong in Zhuhai season opener

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release

Zhuhai, March 21, 2015 - Reigning Audi R8 LMS Cup champion Alex Yoong of Audi TEDA Racing Team got his title defense off to a strong start today by winning the opening round of the 2015 season at the Zhuhai International Circuit from female driver Rahel Frey of Castrol Racing Team. Earlier, Frey had taken the series’ first Superpole after an eight-car qualifying shootout to lead the field from the rolling start.

Third across the line at the end of the 16-lap race was series newcomer and its first Indian driver, Aditya Patel of Team Audi R8 LMS Cup, taking the Four Rings Trophy win ahead of 2012 champion, Marchy Lee of Audi Hong Kong Team, 4th overall. FAW-VW Audi Racing Team’s Franky Cheng finished 5th, having just missed out on making the Superpole cut to start from 9th on the grid.

Said Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia: “The new Superpole shootout brings another strategic element to the Audi R8 LMS Cup, while also adding to the excitement amongst the drivers, teams as well as spectators. Alex’s superb victory demonstrates once again why he is our reigning champion, and Aditya has proven to be a front-runner on his debut.”

As the lights went out to herald the start of the Audi R8 LMS Cup 2015 season it was Yoong who stole the advantage – in part by using a Push-to-Pass – from Frey after she locked up and ran slightly wide. The Malaysian grabbed the lead and immediately set about pulling out a gap, with Frey and Patel giving chase. A hard-charging Cheng got by Lee in the start melee, with Kimi Qin (SCC Sportscar Club) diving up to 6th from 10th on the grid.

As Yoong fought to pull a gap at the front of the pack, Frey held off Patel while keeping the Malaysian firmly in her sights. After an eventful start, with several drivers coming together and spinning off the track, Lap 4 saw the Safety Car collect the field after Tommy Wong of Starspeed Racing spun into the gravel. When racing resumed on Lap 6, Yoong made another quick getaway, while behind the leading three, Lee dived past Cheng and up to fourth.

Two laps after the restart, Yoong used Push-to-Pass seven times consecutively to set the fastest lap of the race, securing pole position for tomorrow’s race. While it looked as though Frey had finally shaken off Patel, the Indian driver closed back up on the penultimate lap but still could not find a way to overcome her skillful defense.

Dane Thomas Fjordbach (Team FM Racing) finished 6th, ahead of Qin with Shaun Thong (Michelin Racing Team) following him home. Kyong-Ouk You of Audi Korea was the fourth Four Rings Trophy driver to cross the line, 9th overall after an eventful race.

Top Amateur finisher was Samson Chan of Hong Kong racing for Z Racing, an impressive performance for his first time in the car, while behind him Team Chengdu New Elements’ Hugues Ripert and Team Asiasport’s Ashraff Dewal of Malaysia had battled it out for much of the race to finish 2nd and 3rd in the category respectively.

The race ended prematurely for Stefano Montesi (Team Betterlife), whose excellent qualifying performance saw him reach the Superpole shootout, Tommy Wong (Starspeed Racing), Jeffrey Lee (Team Audi Volkswagen Taiwan), and Alex Au (CTVS Racing Team), who had been running 10th when a mechanical issue saw him pit on lap 12.

The Audi R8 LMS Cup 2015 season continues with Round 2 tomorrow when, in a range of new innovations introduced this season, the field will take a standing start for the first time in the series’ history. Yoong’s Round 1 win means he takes on an extra 50kgs of weight, Frey will carry a success ballast of 35kgs, and Patel an extra 20kgs.

Quotes after Round 1

Alex Yoong (Audi TEDA Racing Team)

“The car was great! I had one heart-stopping moment when the brakes got a bit too hot but otherwise everything went well. This is the toughest track in the world on brakes and I think the car is a little bit better this year – I could pretty much attack 100 percent of the time.

I used Push-to-Pass off the start and managed to get Rahel on the first corner. Phew, it was close! I used Push-to-Pass again after the restart and then I used it seven times in one lap just to make sure I could get the fastest lap.

I just realized I have 50 kgs tomorrow! So I have a small person as a passenger. Because this circuit is so hard on brakes, I have to be strategic tomorrow and really manage my brakes carefully in the race tomorrow.”

Rahel Frey (Castrol Racing Team)

“Second is a solid place, but I have to say congratulations to Alex for making a really good move off the start. I just got the wrong timing. Afterwards he was quick and I just tried to follow. I stressed my brakes a little to catch up, but this wasn’t so good for the car. I’m okay with second place, there is still some more work to come.”

Aditya Patel (Team Audi R8 LMS Cup)

“This is my first race and I’m pretty happy with a podium, but I would have liked to have had a little more pace in qualifying. As the race went on, there was a lot going on; I had Marchy catching up from behind and that kept me on my toes, and I was also trying to plan how to catch Rahel. I used Push-to-Pass to catch Rahel and tried to make a move, but couldn’t make it stick.”

Samson Chan (Z Racing)

“The team did a great job and gave me a good car. I’ve never driven an Audi R8 LMS Cup car before and this is my first time out and I’m still learning it. I hope I can improve tomorrow.”

Audi R8 LMS Cup website: www.audir8lmscup.com

Round 1 Results

1. 1/Alex YOONG/MAL/Audi TEDA Racing/27:01.987
2. 66/Rahel FREY/SUI/Castrol Racing Team/+1.032
3. 8/Aditya PATEL/IND/4R/Team Audi R8 LMS Cup/+1.855
4. 88/Marchy LEE/HKG/4R/Audi Hong Kong Team/+2.500
5. 99/Franky CHENG/CHN/4R/FAW-VW Audi Racing Team/+6.559
6. 54/Thomas FJORDBACH/DEN/Team FM Racing/+9.904
7. 6/Kimi QIN/CHN/SCC Sportscar Club/+15.371
8. 26/Shaun THONG/CHN/Michelin Racing Team/+18.247
9. 11/Kyong-Ouk YOU/KOR/4R/Audi Korea/+18.534
10. 56/Samson CHANG/HKG/Am/Z Racing/+35.672
11. 3/Hugues RIPERT/HKG/Am/4R/Team Chengdu New Elements/+44.972
12. 69/Ashraff DEWAL/MAL/Am/Team Asiasport/+46.194
13. 51/Johnson HUANG/TPE/Am/BC Racing/+46.564
14. 36/Sam LOK/HKG/Am/Starspeed Racing/+55.891
15. 77/Jacky YEUNG/HKG/Am/Tiger Racing Team/+56.804
16. 59/Daniel BILSKI/HKG/Am/B-Quik Racing/+58.647

Not Classified

12/Alex AU/HKG/Am/CTVS Racing Team
33/Tommy WONG/HKG/Am/Starspeed Racing
7/Jeffrey LEE/TPE/4R/Team Audi Volkswagen Taiwan
39/Stefano MONTESI/HKG/4R/Team Betterlife

2015 Audi R8 LMS Cup
Overall Classification after Round 1

1. Alex YOONG – 25
2. Rahel FREY – 19
3. Aditya PATEL – 15
4. Marchy LEE – 12
5. Franky CHENG – 10
6. Thomas FJORDBACH – 8
7. Kimi QIN – 6
8. Shaun THONG – 4
9. Kyong-Ouk YOU – 2
10. Samson CHAN – 1

Am Cup Classification after Round 1

1. Samson CHAN – 25
2. Hugues RIPERT – 18
3. Ashraff DEWAL – 15
4. Johnson HUANG – 12
5. Sam LOK – 10
6. Jacky YEUNG – 8
7. Daniel BILSKI – 6
8. Alex AU – 1

Team Cup Classification after Round 1

1. Audi TEDA Racing Team – 25
2. Castrol Racing Team – 19
3. Team Audi R8 LMS Cup/4R – 15
4. Audi Hong Kong Team/4R – 12
5. FAW-VW Audi Racing Team/4R – 10
6. Team FM Racing – 8
7. SCC Sportscar Club – 6
8. Michelin Racing Team – 4
9. Audi Korea/4R – 2
10. Z Racing – 1

Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup

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Audi R8 LMS Cup: Season opener for Audi racing series in Asia with numerous innovations

Audi Press Release

• Even more suspense: ‘Super Pole’ in qualifying, standing starts, new technology for the car
• Rene Koneberg: “We’re set on further consolidating our leading position in developing motorsport in Asia”

Broad TV presence in Asia and live streaming on www.audir8lmscup.comIngolstadt/Beijing, March 17, 2015 – The Audi R8 LMS Cup is starting its fourth season at Zhuhai, South China, on the opening weekend of March 21–22. Audi’s Asia-wide one-make cup will be offering numerous innovations to fans and drivers in 2015. The aerodynamics of the Cup car has been improved and the series will now be featuring standing starts with launch control and a new qualifying format with subsequent single timed laps, plus an equivalence system to balance differences in the drivers’ body weight. Up to 22 entrants will be battling each other in thrilling duels in two sprint races on each of the six race weekends. 

The racing series that was launched in 2012 is visiting Taiwan for the first time this year. In addition, the calendar for the season encompasses events in China, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan. On two race weekends, the Audi brand will be on the grid twice. At Fuji (Japan) and Shanghai (China), the fans will be able to watch the Audi R8 LMS Cup together with the prototype team of Audi Sport in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

“The Audi R8 LMS Cup stands for attractive, thrilling races. With the numerous innovations in technology and the regulations we’ve laid the foundation for another season packed with dynamics, plus, at Penbay in Taiwan, we’ve included a new race track in our program. We’re set on further consolidating our leading position in developing motorsport in Asia,” says Rene Koneberg, Head of Audi Sport customer racing Asia.

Several sports channels in Asia, including Fox Sports and Star Sports, will be airing reports of the race weekends in half-hour highlight shows. In the 2014 season, the Audi racing series reached more than 30 million TV viewers and in 2015, all the races can again be watched live on www.audir8lmscup.com.

The winner of last year’s Cup and former Formula One driver Alex Yoong has to defend his title against strong competitors, including Marchy Lee, the 2012 Cup winner, the Swiss GT specialist Rahel Frey and China’s racing star ‘Franky’ Cheng Congfu. Cheng is driving for the new ‘FAW-VW Audi Racing Team’ of Audi’s Chinese joint venture. For the first time, an Indian driver – Aditya Patel – is among the entrants as well. In total, the driver field features a well-balanced mix of seasoned pros and ambitious amateurs.

In the past, the series used flying starts but now the format will feature one standing and one flying start per race weekend. The Audi R8 LMS has now been equipped with a launch control system for this purpose which assists the drivers in standing starts. Other innovations: a lighter clutch for more agile response and a rear wing that has been moved further rearwards for greater aerodynamic downforce. In addition, the Cup car has been fitted with a modified system for optimized brake force distribution.

New as well is the so-called Super Pole qualifying format. Following the 15-minute qualifying session, the eight best drivers compete in a second session of single timed laps. A new equivalence concept guarantees greater equality of opportunity. After the driver’s weight with full gear has been determined, a sufficient additional weight must be installed on board of the race car so that the driver’s body weight and ballast together amount to at least 80 kilograms. As a result, lighter drivers no longer have an advantage.

Greater freedoms are enjoyed by the drivers in 2015 in terms of tactics. Starting this season, two tire sets for qualifying and the race are permitted. In the past, only one set was allowed. A tactical element from last year has proved its viability. As the first GT3 racing series to do so, the Cup established a push-to-pass system which allows the driver to briefly use additional engine power. The number of these boosts is limited and makes for thrilling maneuvers in the race. Another element serves to prevent a possible dominance of individual drivers. The three best drivers in each race have to start with ballast in the subsequent race.

For the first time, the teams can support their cars with their own technical personnel. The first team to have opted for this possibility is B-Quik Racing from Thailand. The option to book the entire turnkey package of the Cup is concurrently available.

Audi Sport customer racing Asia sends its drivers to Europe as well. 19-year-old Shaun Thong from Hong Kong will be contesting the Audi Sport TT Cup in Europe. In addition to that, together with Marchy Lee and Markus Winkelhock he is going to share a cockpit in the Blancpain Endurance Series. For the GT3 Endurance Series, Audi Sport customer racing Asia cooperates with the renowned Phoenix Racing team. Thong is also a member of the first all-Asian driver team of the Audi race experience in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The commitments of this talent are part of Audi’s Young Driver Development Program in Asia. The race cars to be driven by Thong and his team-mates in Europe advertise the Audi R8 LMS Cup, among other things.

This year, the Cup drivers will again be representing the colors of the Audi R8 LMS Cup in the GT Asia racing series. As a result, the commitment of Audi Sport customer racing Asia not only shapes the motorsport landscape in and around China but hones the profile of the Audi R8 LMS Cup in other regions of the world as well.

Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Website at: www.audir8lmscup.com

2015 Audi R8 LMS Cup Calendar*

Date, Circuit, Event, Rounds
March 21-22, Zhuhai International Circuit (China), Pan Delta Racing Festival, 1&2
May 16-17, Korea International Circuit (South Korea), GT Asia Series, 3&4
July, Penbay International Circuit (Chinese Taipei), 5&6
August, Malaysia, TBC*, 7&8
October 10-11, Fuji International Speedway (Japan), FIA World Endurance Championship, 9&10
October 31 – November 1, Shanghai International Circuit (China), FIA World Endurance Championship, 11&12

* Provisional Programme Version 4. Subject to changes

Photo credit: Audi Communications - Motorsport

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Audi R8 LMS Cup: Season starts for innovative Audi racing series in Asia

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release

• Added drama with "super pole", standing starts and new car technology
• Rene Koneberg: "Aim is to further consolidate our leading position in Asian motorsport development.”
• Catch the Audi R8 LMS Cup live stream on www.audir8lmscup.com

Beijing / Ingolstadt, 17 March 2015 – The fourth season of the Audi R8 LMS Cup blasts into action this weekend at Southern China’s Zhuhai International Circuit from March 21-22. New innovations for 2015 include a standing start for Race 2, while qualifying becomes a nail-biting affair with a Super Pole individual time trial for the top eight cars following the first qualifying session. In addition to the Race Success Ballast, 2015 introduces a new driver weight equalization system, creating an even more level-playing field. 

The field of up to 22 identical Audi R8 LMS Cup cars will race across Asia’s finest tracks with Rounds 1&2 set for this weekend.

From Zhuhai, the Cup heads to the Korea International Circuit in South Korea, prior to making its debut in Chinese Taipei at the Penbay International Circuit this summer. From there, the Cup travels to Malaysia in August prior to marking another first for the series with two race weekends in support of the FIA World Endurance Championship. At Fuji from October 10-11 and at the Audi R8 LMS Cup season finale in Shanghai from October 31-November 1, fans of the brand with the Four Rings will have a chance to see the Audi motorsport family unite, with the Cup and the Audi Sport WEC team racing alongside each other.

"The Audi R8 LMS Cup stands for competitive, exciting and emotional racing,” said Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia. “With improved aerodynamics and new regulations, the stage is set for a season full of drama from this weekend in Zhuhai, to the final chequered flag in Shanghai. We are delighted to race in Chinese Taipei for the first time, adding another new circuit to the calendar, and further strengthening our position as leaders in the development of motor sport in Asia.”

Highlights from the Audi R8 LMS Cup will be broadcast on sports channels across Asia, including Fox Sports and Star Sports. In 2014, Audi R8 LMS Cup broadcasts reached more than 30 million households, while more than 300 journalists reported from the track. Live streaming will again be available this season at www.audir8lmscup.com.

Defending Audi R8 LMS Cup champion and former F1 driver Alex Yoong of Malaysia returns for 2015, and will go up against the likes of Hong Kong’s Marchy Lee, the 2012 champion, Swiss GT specialist Rahel Frey, and Chinese racing star Franky Cheng Congfu. Cheng will race with the new FAW-VW Audi Racing Team from Audi’s joint venture in China. Aditya Patel flies the flag for India this season, becoming the first ever driver from his country to race in the Cup. The impressive combination of veteran professionals, fledging talent and passionate amateurs guarantees non-stop action throughout the field.

This year, the new race weekend format will feature one rolling start (Race 1) and one standing start (Race 2). Among the new enhancements to the Audi R8 LMS Cup car is a new launch control technology to assist the drivers from standing starts; a lighter clutch for a more agile response; a recessed rear wing for greater aerodynamic downforce; and a modified brake system for optimized braking force distribution.

Tactics and strategy are as crucial as ever. This season, drivers will be permitted two sets of tyres during qualifying and two sets for the weekend’s double-header. The push-to-pass system – introduced in 2014 and a first for a GT3 series – again brings a unique tactical element to the Cup by giving drivers temporary power boosts. The number of push-to-pass boosts is limited, and makes for exciting maneuvers throughout the field.

In addition to the Audi R8 LMS Cup, the Audi Sport customer racing Asia programme expands to Europe, where Hong Kong’s Shaun Thong, 19, will compete in the new Audi Sport TT Cup. Together with Marchy Lee and Markus Winkelhock, Thong will also compete in the Blancpain Endurance Series with Phoenix Racing. Thong will also be part of the first all-Asian Audi race experience team at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, with the full line-up to be announced shortly.

Thong’s 2015 race programme is part of Audi in Asia’s young driver development programme, and the livery of Thong’s cars in the TT Cup and the Blancpain Endurance Series will showcase the relationship with the Audi R8 LMS Cup.

Selected drivers representing the Audi R8 LMS Cup colours again compete in the GT Asia Series, once again demonstrating the commitment of Audi to motorsport in Asia, while at the same time raising the profile of the Audi R8 LMS Cup around the world.

Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Website at: www.audir8lmscup.com

2015 Audi R8 LMS Cup Calendar

March 21-22/ Zhuhai International Circuit, China/ Rounds 1&2
May 16-17/ Korea International Circuit, South Korea/ Rounds 3&4
July/ Penbay International Circuit, Chinese Taipei/ Rounds 5&6
August/ Malaysia/ Rounds 7&8
October 10-11/ Fuji International Speedway, Japan/ Rounds 9&10
October 31-November 1/ Shanghai, China/ Rounds 11&12

Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup

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Audi R8 LMS Cup: Pre-season test days at Zhuhai

By Johan Laubscher

The Audi R8 LMS Cup held test days at the Zhuhai International Circuit this weekend. The all-Audi grid is busy getting ready for the opening round next weekend.

Information about the 2015 season and the entry list is expected to be released during the coming week.

The fourth Audi R8 LMS Cup season will be getting underway at Zhuhai from 21-22 March.

Photo credit: Double Duck

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Audi R8 LMS Cup: B-Quik Racing to enter Audi R8 LMS Cup Asia

B-Quik Racing Press Release

B-Quik Racing is pleased to announce that it will enter the 2015 Audi R8 LMS Cup Asia. Daniel Bilski, who was also recently confirmed to drive for the team this year in Thailand Super Series’ Super Car Class 2-GTM, will drive the car.

The B-Quik Racing-entered Audi R8 LMS Cup will be on the grid when the leading Asian ‘one make’ series kicks off next weekend (21-22 March) in Zhuhai, China, and will contest the following five rounds in Yeongam (Korea), (TBN) Taiwan, (Sepang) Malaysia, Fuji (Japan) and Shanghai (China). The latter two rounds will support the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

B-Quik Racing stepped out of Thailand to contest the MMER Sepang 12 Hours last August and this will be the team’s next major international commitment and it clearly emphasises its growing overseas ambitions.

B-Quik Racing has taken on this challenge satisfied that it’s well prepared and ready to make this next step forward. The team is happy that Daniel will bring important strengths to the challenge; he raced in selected rounds of the Audi R8 LMS Cup Asia last year and was also on the B-Quik Racing driving strength for last year’s Sepang 12 Hours, with podiums on all occasions.

Daniel Bilski: “I’m very excited to be contesting the Audi R8 LMS Cup as a B-Quik Racing driver,” said the Australian. “It's an absolutely phenomenal series and I am so proud to be carrying the B-Quik name onto such a big international stage. This is a big step for B-Quik and I can't thank Henk enough for taking it. It will be a fantastic opportunity for the team to gain international experience with a dedicated focus on the Audi R8 LMS Cup car. B-Quik Racing will be campaigning an identical Audi R8 LMS Cup Car in the TSS this season, so the boys will have even more opportunity to learn and develop their skills with the car. The series races on some iconic circuits, so I can't wait for it to start.”

Photo credit: B-Quik Racing

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Audi R8 LMS Cup: Alex Yoong champion of the 2014 Audi R8 LMS Cup

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release

• Alex Yoong clinches overall title with victory in Round 12
• Andre Couto is second overall ahead of Rahel Frey
• Marchy Lee and Matt Solomon complete Round 12 podium behind Yoong

Abu Dhabi, December 14, 2014 – Alex Yoong has been crowned 2014 Audi R8 LMS Cup champion after securing victory in the final race in Abu Dhabi. The explosive race with lots of back-and-forth between Yoong and close championship rival André Couto underlined the intense drama that has unfolded throughout the season. It took the 12th and final race to decide who would take the championship.

Yoong and Couto were the most dominant drivers and won 10 out of the 12 races in the Cup this season, with five wins each.

In Round 12, Couto started from pole with the maximum weight ballast of 60 kg, meaning Yoong, in position two, had a weight advantage. Both championship contenders stormed ahead as soon as the lights went off, and it was clear that they were both determined to lift the trophy. Throughout the race, Yoong and Couto put their all into the battle for first place, with each taking it in turns to lead. However, Yoong managed to keep just ahead of Couto in the last few laps, and finally took the checkered flag.

Despite finishing in second, Couto was handed a 25 second penalty after the race due to overtaking Yoong while off the track and failing to give the place back in a reasonable time. The penalty means that Couto finished ninth in today’s race, and had to settle for the runner-up spot in the 2014 championship.

“We had a thrilling and dramatic final race to conclude the 2014 season in Abu Dhabi. Alex Yoong and André Couto made the championship exciting right down to the last minute. Both fought hard and well, as they both wanted to win the Cup. Congratulations to Alex for clinching the title in the end. It has been a spectacular season, and we look forward to another exciting series in 2015”, commented Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia.

Indeed, the final race provided a spectacular show, with the top eight all driving close together, with many position changes. “Franky” Cheng Congfu and Adderly Fong battled hard behind the two race leaders throughout the first half of the race before a collision between the two forced them both off the track.

Marchy Lee, Rahel Frey and Matt Solomon continued to storm forward. Towards the end of the race, Lee continuously pressed Couto but could not find a way past the Macanese driver. Behind Lee, Frey ultimately could not hold off Hong Kong youngster Solomon, who finished third ahead of her. Nevertheless, Frey secured the third spot in the overall rankings ahead of Cheng.

Korean driver K.O. You and Chinese driver Sun Zheng mounted late challenges for position, with both driving hard at the end of the race to close the gap at the front. Stefano Montesi drove steadily to finish in eighth, ahead of local Emirati driver Saeed Al Mehairi, and Jeffrey Lee.

Steven Lin won the 2014 amateur category ahead of Ashraff Dewal and Jacky Yeung.

Brothers Racing Team secured the 2014 team championship ahead of Teda Racing Team and Castrol Racing Team.

The 2014 Four Rings Trophy for regional Audi teams and dealerships went to the Audi R8 LMS Cup Team, ahead of KamLung Racing and Audi Korea.

The 2015 Audi R8 LMS Cup kicks off on March 22, 2015 in South China’s Zhuhai.

Alex Yoong:

“I put André under a lot of pressure today. It paid off! I am just happy I won the championship.”

André Couto:

“It was a great season. I gave it everything. I wanted to be champion. I’m happy with my performance.”

Marchy Lee:

“I had a disappointing season – things didn’t go smoothly for me. But every driver experiences ups and downs. This season still provided me with good training opportunities, and I will be back to challenge again in 2015.”

Rahel Frey:

“It was a very eventful race! It was really fun and I’m sure it was great to watch! I’m disappointed I couldn’t win the championship, but I’m happy with getting third overall. Congratulations to both Alex and André – they both drove so well throughout the season and they deserve to be at the top. Well done to Alex for winning it!”

Adderly Fong:

“It was a dramatic way to end the season. There was lots of action, and unfortunately I was caught up in it! It’s a pity I lost out on my third place, and I’m disappointed I couldn’t defend my title this time.”

2014 Audi R8 LMS Cup
Provisional Overall Classification - Top 5

Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup

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