Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2015 Race Report: Rounds 3&4 Korea International Circuit, Korea May 15 - 17, 2015 In This Issue: Rounds 3&4 Preview Qualifying Qualifying Results Round 3 Round 3 Results Round 4 Round 4 Results 2015 Championship Standings General and Media Enquiries
P1 P2 P3 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P9
Clearwater Racing Craig Baird at the Shanghai International Circuit.
Preview : Baird leads the charge into South Korean challenge
Team Jeben’s Rodolfo Avila lay second in the standings heading to Korea.
After two strong finishes, Craig Baird leaves Korea with his grip on the title race firmly in place.
After a thrilling season-opening double-header at the Chinese F1 Grand Prix in Shanghai last month, the 28-strong Porsche Carrera Cup Asia field makes its debut this week at the Korea International Circuit, host to that country’s own F1 showcase from 2010 to 2013. Leading the charge into Rounds 3 and 4 will be Clearwater Racing’s Craig Baird, who has a single point advantage over Team Jebsen’s Rodolfo Avila as the region’s premier GT championship prepares to take on the 5.62km Hermann Tilke-designed track. Five different drivers were on the podium after the first two races of the 2015 season - the series’ 13th - including Budweiser Team Absolute Racing’s Tung Ho-Pin who made a brilliant start to his title campaign in Shanghai. The Chinese star’s victory in Round 2 puts him third on the overall leaderboard, a single point behind Avila. However, the man currently tied with Tung in third, Team Porsche Holding’s Martin Ragginger, will be absent from Korea as he will be contesting the famous Nürburgring 24 Hours. Taking Ragginger’s place on the team will be Chinese driver Zhang Zhen Dong, who turns 23 on May 16, and who finished an impressive ninth overall on his series debut in 2014. Fifth overall after a confident start to his second season is Team Yonda’s Ro Charlz Skyangel ahead of series newcomer and former
A1GP team mate of new Porsche LMP1 driver Earl Bamber, Chris van der Drift. Van der Drift scored an impressive second place on his debut in the opening round, but disappointingly was not able to take the start of Round 2. China’s Bao Jin Long was another driver to make a remarkable start to his second season, with the Zheng Tong Auto driver taking his best finish todate in Round 2. There were fireworks in Shanghai between reigning Class B champion, 24-year-old Alif Hamdan of Malaysia, and series newcomer Nico Menzel of PICC Team StarChase who, at just 17, is the series’ youngest-ever driver. The pair came together more than once over the weekend and each will be looking to give the other a wide berth in Korea. After an equally-dramatic opening to the season in Class B, Modena Motorsports’ Wayne Shen of Hong Kong tops the leaderboard thanks to a podium finish and victory in Shanghai, but Avila’s team mate, Yuey Tan, is in hot pursuit just three points behind despite more than his fair share of ill luck in Shanghai. Team BC Racing’s Johnson Huang took continued on page 2
continued from page 1 a podium in Round 2 to put him third in the standings ahead of Samson Chan. Making their first appearances of the 2015 season in Korea will be Class B drivers Kenneth Lau of Prince Racing Hong Kong, Team Kangshun’s Ringo Chong of Singapore, and 2013 Class B champion Egidio Perfetti with Spark Motorsports. Making his series debut in the second OpenRoad Racing car, alongside Francis Tjia, is Gary Cheung of Hong Kong. Cheung
is an experienced touring car driver who has competed in the Hong Kong Touring Car Championship and Touring Car Series in Asia, and this season contests the Clio Cup. As well as going all-out to earn valuable championship points, all the drivers will have an added incentive to succeed on the Korea International Circuit. The overall and Class B championship leaders after Round 6, to be held next month in Fuji, will receive an invitation to compete on Belgium’s renowned Spa Francorchamps circuit. The entries to the Porsche Carrera Cup 24 Hours of Spa 2015, which will run in support of the 24 Hours of Spa, are fully supported by Porsche China and its partners, and will provide two of the
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia drivers with the exciting opportunity to fly the flag for regional motorsport competition, as well as their championship, on one of Europe’s most respected race tracks. The latest innovation from the series which stands proudly at the pinnacle of regional GT competition adds yet more intensity to an alreadycompelling season. The international field represents an unrivalled level of competition, and it is already clear that any one of the drivers is capable of piloting their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991) racing cars to a podium finish.
Qualifying : van der Drift Seizes Pole for Korean Double-Header Kamlung Racing’s Chris van der Drift seized pole position for the start of Rounds 3 and 4 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia at the Korea International Circuit, setting both the fastest and second fastest times in the single, 30-minute Qualifying session. His Round 3 pole lap of 2:12.490 was 0.115 seconds quicker than his closest rival, Myung Gil Choi, who more than repaid his call-up from Team Porsche Korea to join the series for the first time since 2013 with an impressive performance at his home track. Third fastest out on track was overall points leader Craig Baird of Clearwater Racing, while 17-year-old PICC Team StarChase driver will line-up alongside the New Zealander on the second row for the start of Round 3. van der Drift and Bruins’ second best laps were good enough to also lock out the front row for the start of Round 4, while Menzel starts from third on the grid with Baird alongside for the second race of the weekend. Making up the third row for both races will be Team Jebsen’s
Kamlung Racing’s Chris van der Drift took double pole in Korea.
Rodolfo Avila and Budweiser Team Absolute Racing’s Tung Ho-Pin, winner of Round 2 in Shanghai last month. In Class B, it was a storming return to the series by 2013 category champion Egidio Perfetti in the Spark Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. Perfetti set the eighth quickest lap of the session, seizing the Class B pole for both races. Second fastest in the category was quick Thai driver Vutthikorn Inthraphuvasak of 100 PLUS Racing Team ahead of Team Jebsen’s Yuey Tan. In the thrilling 30 minute session, Menzel was the first to top the times as the cars took to the 5.6km Korean International Circuit, with Avila going quickest before Bruins’ lap of 2:13.026 put him in provisional pole position. However, in the second run, van der Drift stormed to the top of the time with his pole lap and, despite Bruins bettering his time, he could not overhaul the New Zealander.
For van der Drift, who was unable to take the start of the second race in Shanghai, this weekend marks an important opportunity to maximise his points haul: “It was a bit slippery today compared with yesterday because of all the rain last night. We were a bit aggressive with our car on the first run, so it was a bit of a handful, and then it was just managing traffic. In the second run, we sorted out the car a little bit and I just had a better run throughout. I’m getting more confident and the car’s getting good. This will be my second race for Porsche, and it’s my first pole, so it’s good.” For Bruins, it was the first time in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991), and just his first outing with the series since 2013: “P2 is not too bad! I know continued on page 3
continued from page 2 the National Track, which is half the full track, but the last time I raced this one was three years ago. I really like the car. It’s much easier to drive than the previous car. I have never done a start with this car though, so we’ll have to see [how the race goes].” Perfetti was ebullient after taking Class B pole for both races on his return to the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, flying round the Korea International Circuit on extraordinary form: “What else are we here for? I’m very pleased. The track is nice. It took me a while to get to grips with it. There are quite a few fast corners that can be very tricky. I went off a couple of times with the new slicks because you push and push and there is the grip until you go a fraction off the line and then you lose the grip. I think the track is getting better, so by the race hopefully we won’t have so many slippery patches. It’s a lot of fun to be back and nice to see familiar faces!” Round 3 will be run over 10 laps of the F1-standard Korea International Circuit where the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is making its debut this weekend. With less than a second covering the top seven in qualifying, all bets are off on who will stand atop the podium as the chequered flag comes out for Asia’s premier sportscar championship for the third time this season.
Spark Motorsports driver Egidio Perfetti took Double pole in Class B.
Team Porsche Korea’s Myung Gil Choi was the second fast in Round 3 Qualifying.
Qualifying Results - Round 3 Pos No
Name
1
Chris VAN DER DRIFT (NZL)
68
Class
Entrant
Time
Kamlung Racing (HKG)
2:12.490
2
11
*Myung Gil CHOI (KOR)
Team Porsche Korea (KOR)
+0.115
3
12
Craig BAIRD (NZL)
Clearwater Racing (SIN)
+0.141
4
99
Nico MENZEL (GER)
PICC Team StarChase (CHN)
+0.545
5
20
Rodolfo AVILA (MAC)
Team Jebsen (HKG)
+0.623
6
58
TUNG Ho-Pin (CHN)
Budweiser Team Absolute Racing (HKG)
+0.762
7
72
Alif HAMDAN (MAS)
8
88
*Egidio PERFETTI (SIN)
9
86
*ZHANG Zhen Dong (CHN)
B
Alif Hamdan Motorsport (MAS)
+0.790
Spark Motorsports (HKG)
+1.397
Team Porsche Holding (CHN)
+1.552
10
8
Ro Charlz SKYANGEL (SIN)
Team Yonda (CHN)
+1.707
11
55
BAO Jin Long (CHN)
Zheng Tong Auto (CHN)
+2.014
12
18
Vutthikorn INTHRAPHUVASAK (THA)
100 PLUS Racing Team (THA)
+2.175
B
13
5
Yuey TAN (SIN)
B
Team Jebsen (HKG)
+2.421
14
98
*Max TWIGG (AUS)
B
Max Twigg (AUS)
+3.270
15
21
Francis TJIA (HKG)
B
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
+3.870
16
3
Michael S. (INA)
B
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
+4.024
17
16
Wayne SHEN (HKG)
B
Modena Motorsports (HKG)
+4.454
18
65
ZHU Jun Han (CHN)
B
Absolute Racing (HKG)
+4.675
19
9
LI Chao (CHN)
B
Team Betterlife (CHN)
+5.385
20
51
Johnson HUANG (TPE)
B
Team BC Racing (TPE)
+5.883
21
23
Paul TRESIDDER (AUS)
B
Paul Tresidder (AUS)
+6.046
22
78
Suttiluck BUNCHAROEN (THA)
B
True Visions Motorsports Thailand (THA)
+6.233
23
28
John SHEN (HKG)
B
Modena Motorsports (HKG)
+6.616
24
2
Kenneth LAU (HKG)
B
Prince Racing Hong Kong (HKG)
+6.752
25
22
SIU Yuk Lung (HKG)
B
LKM Racing (HKG)
+7.896
26
17
FUNG Yui Sum (HKG)
B
Arrows Racing (HKG)
+7.964
27
69
*Gary CHEUNG
B
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
+9.020
28
80
Sontaya KUNPLOME (THA)
B
Racing Spirit Thailand (THA)
+10.581
*Non series registered
Qualifying Results - Round 4
(Top to down) • Team Jebsen’s Yuey Tan prepares for Qualifying • 17-year-old Nico Menzel secured P3 for the start of Round 4 Left to right) • Max Twigg had a strong weekend • Thailand’s Vutthikorn Inthraphuvasak clinched P3 in Class B for Round 4
Pos No
Name
1
Chris VAN DER DRIFT (NZL)
68
Class
Entrant
Time
Kamlung Racing (HKG)
2:12.773
2
11
*Myung Gil CHOI (KOR)
Team Porsche Korea (KOR)
2:13.026
3
99
Nico MENZEL (GER)
PICC Team StarChase (CHN)
2:13.066
4
12
Craig BAIRD (NZL)
Clearwater Racing (SIN)
2:13.158
5
20
Rodolfo AVILA (MAC)
Team Jebsen (HKG)
2:13.312
6
58
TUNG Ho-Pin (CHN)
Budweiser Team Absolute Racing (HKG)
2:13.693
7
72
Alif HAMDAN (MAS)
Alif Hamdan Motorsport (MAS)
2:14.069
8
86
*ZHANG Zhen Dong (CHN)
Team Porsche Holding (CHN)
2:14.240
9
88
*Egidio PERFETTI (SIN)
10
8
Ro Charlz SKYANGEL (SIN)
B
Spark Motorsports (HKG)
2:14.243
Team Yonda (CHN)
2:14.644
11
55
BAO Jin Long (CHN)
Zheng Tong Auto (CHN)
2:15.306
12
5
Yuey TAN (SIN)
B
Team Jebsen (HKG)
2:15.445
13
18
Vutthikorn INTHRAPHUVASAK (THA)
B
100 PLUS Racing Team (THA)
2:14.962
14
98
*Max TWIGG (AUS)
B
Max Twigg (AUS)
2:15.811
15
3
Michael S. (INA)
B
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
2:16.883
16
21
Francis TJIA (HKG)
B
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
2:17.062
17
16
Wayne SHEN (HKG)
B
Modena Motorsports (HKG)
2:17.132
18
65
ZHU Jun Han (CHN)
B
Absolute Racing (HKG)
2:17.334
19
9
LI Chao (CHN)
B
Team Betterlife (CHN)
2:17.903
20
51
Johnson HUANG (TPE)
B
Team BC Racing (TPE)
2:18.388
21
23
Paul TRESIDDER (AUS)
B
Paul Tresidder (AUS)
2:18.696
22
78
Suttiluck BUNCHAROEN (THA)
B
True Visions Motorsports Thailand (THA)
2:19.059
23
28
John SHEN (HKG)
B
Modena Motorsports (HKG)
2:19.276
24
2
Kenneth LAU (HKG)
B
Prince Racing Hong Kong (HKG)
2:19.343
25
22
SIU Yuk Lung (HKG)
B
LKM Racing (HKG)
2:20.477
26
17
FUNG Yui Sum (HKG)
B
Arrows Racing (HKG)
2:21.099
27
69
*Gary CHEUNG
B
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
2:22.230
28
80
Sontaya KUNPLOME (THA)
B
Racing Spirit Thailand (THA)
2:23.781
*Non series registered
Round 3:
Chris can der Drift (centre) celebrates with Craig Baird (right), second, and Myung Gil Choi (left), who finished third
van der Drift and Perfetti make Gold from Pole Kamlung Racing’s Chris van der Drift and Spark Motorsports’ Egidio Perfetti converted their pole positions into overall and Class B victory respectively in Round 3 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. van der Drift held fellow countryman Craig Baird of Clearwater Racing at by throughout the 10-lap race at the Korea International Circuit to claim victory in just his second Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race. Crossing the line less than half a second behind Baird was local hero Myung Gil Choi, driving for Team Porsche Korea, having lost a position to the New Zealand ace off the start. However, Choi set the fastest lap of the race in his quest to catch Baird. Fourth over the line was Team Jebsen’s Rodolfo Avila, who was involved in an altercation on the opening lap which ended the race for Budweiser Team Absolute Racing’s Tung Ho-Pin who had sat third in the championship, just a point behind Avila, coming to South Korea. Avila was later handed a 30 second penalty by
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in its storming debut at the Korea International Circuit
race Stewards, which demoted him to 12th. Second in Class B was Thai driver Vutthikorn Inthraphuvasak of 100 PLUS Racing Team ahead of Max Twigg, the pair battling it out in a superb display of hard, fair, no-holds-barred racing. While van der Drift takes the maximum 21 points for pole position and a win, points leader Baird’s second place sees him hold his spot at the top of the leaderboard after three races, 13 points ahead of Van der Drift. Avila holds in third, while no fewer than three drivers tied in fourth: Tung, Martin Ragginger of Team Porsche Holding, and Team Yonda’s Ro Charlz Skyangel. In Class
B, Modena Motorsports’ Wayne Shen, fifth in Class B, tops the points ahead of Team Jebsen’s Yuey Tan with Twigg leaping up to third. The opening lap was actionpacked, with van der Drift pulling clear of the chasing pack and Baird getting by Choi. Behind the leaders, Avila moved up to fourth after his coming together with Tung, with 24-year-old Malaysian Alif Hamdan in fifth ahead of a hard-charging Nico Menzel of PICC Team StarChase who had dropped down the order from his second continued on page 6
continued from page 5 row starting position. Mid-race, the leading trio had pulled clear of the pack while, further back, Avila didn’t have enough laps to chase them down, and Alif led Menzel, Team Yonda’s Ro Charlz Skyangel, who had climbed three positions from his grid position, and Team Porsche Holding’s Zhang Zhen Dong, standing in for team regular Martin Ragginger, in eighth. Said van der Drift, who was delighted to have taken the win for Kamlung Racing and team boss Mak Hing Tak, a respected Class B driver himself: “I had a good start. I locked my rears going into the first corner and ran a bit wide, so after that I just focused on keeping a steady pace. It’s all still new to me, so I’m learning a lot. It’s good for me to see how the car evolves [over race distance]. It’s great for the team to see us win here in Korea!” Baird admitted he knew he wasn’t going to catch the fellow New Zealander: “We had a little battle going in to T1, and then I got some pressure from [Choi]. I couldn’t get close enough to Chris to challenge. It’s a really good track, but also a really difficult one which requires very high levels of concentration. Chris made a mistake mid-race and I got a bit excited – and then made one myself!” For Choi, a podium finish was an impressive result in just his first weekend racing the formidable Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991), and he thanked Porsche Korea for the opportunity to return to the series: “The start was a bit difficult as we didn’t have any practice starts, so perhaps I was a little conservative. The race was a bit short for me, but it’s fantastic to be on the podium. I’m very excited for tomorrow.” Perfetti is clearly enjoying every moment of his return:
Results - Round 3 Pos No
Name
1
68
Chris VAN DER DRIFT (NZL)
Class Entrant Kamlung Racing (HKG)
23:34.815
2
12
Craig BAIRD (NZL)
Clearwater Racing (SIN)
+1.467
3
11
*Myung Gil CHOI (KOR)
Team Porsche Korea (KOR)
+1.905
4
72
Alif HAMDAN (MAS)
Alif Hamdan Motorsport (MAS)
+9.646
5
99
Nico MENZEL (GER)
PICC Team StarChase (CHN)
+10.580
6
8
Ro Charlz SKYANGEL (SIN)
Team Yonda (CHN)
+16.167
7
86
*ZHANG Zhen Dong (CHN)
Team Porsche Holding (CHN)
+18.039
8
88
*Egidio PERFETTI (SIN)
B
Spark Motorsports (HKG)
+21.801
9
18
Vutthikorn INTHRAPHUVASAK (THA)
B
100 PLUS Racing Team (THA)
+23.486
10
98
*Max TWIGG (AUS)
B
Max Twigg (AUS)
+29.270
11
21
Francis TJIA (HKG)
B
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
+37.748
12
20
Rodolfo AVILA (MAC)
Team Jebsen (HKG)
+39.356
13
16
Wayne SHEN (HKG)
Modena Motorsports (HKG)
+41.536
14
55
BAO Jin Long (CHN)
Zheng Tong Auto (CHN)
+42.349
15
5
Yuey TAN (SIN)
B
Team Jebsen (HKG)
+49.165
16
3
Michael S. (INA)
B
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
+56.407
17
23
Paul TRESIDDER (AUS)
B
Paul Tresidder (AUS)
+1:11.362
18
51
Johnson HUANG (TPE)
B
Team BC Racing (TPE)
+1:11.749
19
28
John SHEN (HKG)
B
Modena Motorsports (HKG)
+1:12.262
20
78
Suttiluck BUNCHAROEN (THA)
B
True Visions Motorsports Thailand (THA)
+1:12.570
21
9
LI Chao (CHN)
B
Team Betterlife (CHN)
+1:12.807
22
2
Kenneth LAU (HKG)
B
Prince Racing Hong Kong (HKG)
+1:25.310
23
22
SIU Yuk Lung (HKG)
B
LKM Racing (HKG)
+1:31.198
24
17
FUNG Yui Sum (HKG)
B
Arrows Racing (HKG)
+1:37.121
25
80
Sontaya KUNPLOME (THA)
B
Racing Spirit Thailand (THA)
+1:59.232
26
69
*Gary CHEUNG
B
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
+2:11.965
-
65
ZHU Jun Han (CHN)
B
Absolute Racing (HKG)
DNF
-
58
TUNG Ho-Pin (CHN)
Budweiser Team Absolute Racing (HKG)
DNF
B
Time
*Non series registered
“There was quite a bit of contact at Turn 1, and it was challenging when the tyres got a little worn, but overall pretty good. I managed to stay with the front runners at the start, but maybe lost a bit of pace once they got away from me.” The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Round 3 podium finishers were unanimous in their praise of Korea’s F1 circuit, relishing the challenge of the technical and unforgiving track. However, just as they are getting the measure of this demanding circuit, so are their rivals, lining up the prospect of a truly thrilling Round 4, where van der Drift will once again start the 10-lap race from pole position.
Round 3 Class B winner Egidio Perfetti
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Round 4 start.
Round 4 : Perfect Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Weekend for van der Drift and Perfetti New Zealand’s Chris van der Drift gave his new team Kamlung Racing a second winners’ trophy when he took a convincing victory from pole position in Round 4 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia at the Korea International Circuit. Spark Motorsport’s Egidio Perfetti mirrored van der Drift’s phenomenal success by clinching his second Class B win of the weekend, crossing the line an impressive sixth overall. Second for the second time this weekend was Clearwater Racing’s Craig Baird, who early on managed to get by eventual third-place finisher Myung Gil Choi of Team Porsche Korea, second on the grid, and PICC Team StarChase youngster, Nico Menzel. Choi’s podium finish was met with a roar of approval from the enthusiastic Korean crowd who turned out in force to see Asia’s premier sportscar championship in action. Fifth across the line behind the 17-year-old Menzel was China’s Zhang Zhendong, making good work of his opportunity to stand in at Team Porsche Holding for regular driver Martin Ragginger who
was away contesting the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Second in Class B was OpenRoad Racing’s Francis Tjia, who made good work climbing his way through the pack from 16th on the grid, ahead of Max Twigg who was lying in second in class before running wide on the final run to the flag. Baird’s run of podiums sees him retain his place at the top of the leaderboard after four races, with an 11-point advantage over van der Drift. Meanwhile, Team Yonda’s Ro Charlz Skyangel, who has been improving each time out, consistently scoring double-digit points, lies third in the standings, three points ahead of sportscar newcomer Menzel. In Class B, Modena Motorsports’ Wayne Shen maintains his place at the top of the standings, but has just a single point advantage over Team Jebsen’s Yuey Tan. Third is Max Twigg ahead of Francis Tjia. Despite a perfect weekend, van der Drift had had to work hard to keep his head down and his rival Baird at bay: “It’s great and especially as it’s just my second round of Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. We earned some really good points. The Kiwis are taking over! It’s never easy. It was tougher today than yesterday. I thought I got a really good start, but then I had [Choi] alongside of me. Luckily I managed to get the lead again and then I pulled a bit of a gap, and was then able to manage Craig. It was mainly a matter of making no mistakes.” Said local hero Choi: “After I ruined yesterday’s start, I focused on a good start which actually happened this time.
Unfortunately, at the first corner, in my enthusiasm to take the lead I outbraked myself. With the new tyres, the balance totally shifted to the rear. Craig found a way to get past me, but after that I found my way back past Nico. Towards the end I was a bit faster, but not enough to overtake Craig. I hadn’t expected too much coming in to the weekend, but when I saw the crowd and the people, it was great! I’d like to say a massive thank you to Porsche Korea and all the people who made this possible.” For Egidio, the weekend marked a storming return to the championship, and he was rightly delighted with what had been a wheel-perfect performance, particularly with his impressive sixth place overall finish: “That’s pretty good! Overall I’m very happy as today’s race was much better than yesterday’s. I didn’t know what to expect at the first corner, and I saw a few cars sideways, so I went around the outside. It took me a couple of laps to get the tyres where I wanted them to be and then I found my pace. I’m very much looking forward to Sepang and my home race in Singapore when I will be back!” Tjia was delighted to be back on the Class B podium: “I had a decent start and avoided the first corner trouble. I started closing on Yuey and we had a very exciting lap side by side. On the last lap, I saw Max go a little off the track and then I saw him go completely wide. I don’t think he knew I was that close, so he didn’t get back on track as fast as he would have done if he’d known I was there.” As the 28-strong field roared off the grid for the start of the 10-lap race, van der Drift got away well but Choi was right on him, the pair two abreast in to Turn 1. van der Drift held this pole advantage, with Baird and Menzel close behind the battling duo. However, behind Menzel, in a repeat of Round 3, a coming together between Team Jebsen’s Rodolfo Avila and Tung Ho-Pin of Budweiser Team Absolute Racing ended the Chinese driver’s race early for a second time this weekend. As the field thundered into the second lap, Baird was piling the pressure on to Choi, ploughing past continued on page 8
continued from page 7 the Korean and into second and immediately taking the chase to compatriot van der Drift. As Baird made his move though, Menzel, who is quickly finding his way in his debut sportscar season, took advantage to follow Baird through into third. Choi quickly reclaimed the place, the German wisely electing to err on the side of championship points. As Baird hunted down the race leader, Choi focused on pulling a gap from Menzel, who led from 24-year-old Malaysian and reigning Class B champion Alif Hamdan, Zhang and Avila, who dived past the Chinese driver on Lap 7 to go fifth. Further down the order, Tjia had a thrilling lap-long battle with Team Jebsen’s Yuey Tan, eventually getting by the Singapore driver to move into podium contention. In a last lap thriller, Twigg ran wide and Tjia took his chance to grab second in Class B, storming away to the flag. As the intensity reached fever pitch, a challenge on Avila by Zheng put the Macau driver out of the race. After a spectacular debut at the Korea International Circuit, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is back in action next month from June 5 to 7, when it returns to another driver favourite: the famous Fuji International Speedway in Japan. There, the Asian edition of hugely-success Carrera Cup will share the programme with the Japanese Cup, further strengthening the ties between Porsche motorsport across the region.
For media access to Porsche Carrera Cup Asia photos and press releases, please apply for media registration by visiting: carreracupasia.com/media
Round 4 Class B podiium- Left to right: medal winner Suttiluck Buncharoen, Francis Tjia, Edigio Perfetti and Max Twigg
Results - Round 4 Pos No
Name
1
68
Chris VAN DER DRIFT (NZL)
Kamlung Racing (HKG)
23:26.995
2
12
Craig BAIRD (NZL)
Clearwater Racing (SIN)
+0.354
3
11
*Myung Gil CHOI (KOR)
Team Porsche Korea (KOR)
+0.801
4
99
Nico MENZEL (GER)
PICC Team StarChase (CHN)
+2.793
5
86
*ZHANG Zhen Dong (CHN)
Team Porsche Holding (CHN)
+12.692
6
88
*Egidio PERFETTI (SIN)
Spark Motorsports (HKG)
+17.629
7
8
Ro Charlz SKYANGEL (SIN)
Team Yonda (CHN)
+24.543
8
72
Alif HAMDAN (MAS)
Alif Hamdan Motorsport (MAS)
+25.120
9
55
BAO Jin Long (CHN)
Zheng Tong Auto (CHN)
+26.054
10
21
Francis TJIA (HKG)
B
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
+42.475
11
98
*Max TWIGG (AUS)
B
Max Twigg (AUS)
+44.234
12
5
Yuey TAN (SIN)
B
Team Jebsen (HKG)
+45.470
13
9
LI Chao (CHN)
B
Team Betterlife (CHN)
+53.413
14
16
Wayne SHEN (HKG)
B
Modena Motorsports (HKG)
+53.642
15
51
Johnson HUANG (TPE)
B
Team BC Racing (TPE)
+54.759
16
78
Suttiluck BUNCHAROEN (THA)
B
True Visions Motorsports Thailand (THA)
+1:01.322
17
65
ZHU Jun Han (CHN)
B
Absolute Racing (HKG)
+1:04.970
18
28
John SHEN (HKG)
B
Modena Motorsports (HKG)
+1:22.812
19
17
FUNG Yui Sum (HKG)
B
Arrows Racing (HKG)
+1:23.309
20
23
Paul TRESIDDER (AUS)
B
Paul Tresidder (AUS)
+1:28.124
21
22
SIU Yuk Lung (HKG)
B
LKM Racing (HKG)
+1:37.132
22
69
*Gary CHEUNG
B
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
+1:37.768
23
2
Kenneth LAU (HKG)
B
Prince Racing Hong Kong (HKG)
+1:41.185
24
80
Sontaya KUNPLOME (THA)
B
Racing Spirit Thailand (THA)
+2:02.555
-
20
Rodolfo AVILA (MAC)
Team Jebsen (HKG)
DNF
-
18
Vutthikorn INTHRAPHUVASAK (THA)
100 PLUS Racing Team (THA)
DNF
-
58
TUNG Ho-Pin (CHN)
Budweiser Team Absolute Racing (HKG)
DNF
-
3
Michael S. (INA)
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
DNF
*Non series registered
Class Entrant
B
B
B
Time
Overall Standings after Round 4 Pos
Comp
Driver
Entrant
Points
1
12
Craig BAIRD
Kamlung Racing
70
2
68
Chris Van der DRIFT
Clearwater Racing
59
3
8
Ro Charlz SKYANGEL
Team Yonda
41
4
99
Nico MENZEL
PICC Team StarChase
38
5
20
Rodolfo AVILA
Team Jebsen
37
6
58
Ho-Pin TUNG
Budweiser Team Absolute Racing
32
7
86
Martin RAGGINGER
Team Porsche Holding
32
8
11
Roelof BRUINS
Team Porsche Korea
32
9
72
Alif HAMDAN
Alif Hamdan Motorsport
30
10
55
BAO Jinlong
Zheng Tong Auto
24
11
86
ZHANG Zhendong
Team Porsche Holding
21
12
16
Wayne SHEN
Modena Motorsports
20
13
98
Maxwell TWIGG
Max Twigg
19
14
88
Egidio PERFETTI
Spark Motorsports
18
15
5
Yuey TAN Yu Hian
Team Jebsen
17
16
21
Francis TJIA
OpenRoad Racing
14
51
Johnson HUANG
Team BC Racing
8
18
Vutthikorn INTHRAPHUVASAK
100 PLUS Racing Team
8
2
Samson CHAN
Prince Racing Hong Kong
6
9
LI Chao
Team Betterlife
6
3
Michael S.
OpenRoad Racing
4
11
Andersen P MARTONO
Team Kangshun
4
88
Hugues RIPERT
Spark Motorsport
2
23
Paul TRESIDDER
Paul Tresidder
0
80
Sontaya KUNPLOME
Racing Spirit Thailand
0
17
FUNG Yui Sum
Arrows Racing
0
28
John SHEN
Modena Motorsports
0
78
Suttiluck BUNCHAROEN
True Visions Motorsports Thailand
0
65
ZHU Junhan
Absolute Racing
0
2
Kenneth LAU
Prince Racing Hong Kong
0
69
Gary CHEUNG
OpenRoad Racing
0
22
SIU Yuk Lung
LKM Racing
0
69
Christian CHIA
OpenRoad Racing
0
22
SIU Tit Lung
LKM Racing
0
17
19 21 23
24
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia quote of the weekend:
““It’s great and especially as it’s just my second round of Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. We earned some really good points. The Kiwis are taking over! ” - Chris van der Drift
We want to hear from you! General Enquiries: Alexandre Gibot Motorsport Manager, Porsche China alexandre.gibot@porsche.cn Tel: +86 21 – 6156 5830 Media Enquiries: Chester Zhang Supervisor Public Releations and Press Motorsport, Porsche China chester.zhang@porsche.cn Tel: +86 21 6156 5710
(left):After 4 races, Wayne Shen tops the Class B standings
Class B Standings after Round 4 Pos
Comp
Driver
Entrant
Points
1
16
Wayne SHEN
Modena Motorsports
58
2
5
Yuey TAN Yu Hian
Team Jebsen
57
3
98
Maxwell TWIGG
Max Twigg
52
4
21
Francis TJIA
OpenRoad Racing
44
5
51
Johnson HUANG
Team BC Racing Team
42
6
88
Egidio PERFETTI
Spark Motorsport
41
7
9
LI Chao
Team Betterlife
35
18
Vutthikorn INTHRAPHUVASAK
100 PLUS Racing Team
27
3
Michael S.
OpenRoad Racing
27
2
Samson CHAN
Prince Racing Hong Kong
21
8
10
11
Andersen P MARTONO
Team Kangshun
21
12
23
Paul TRESIDDER
Paul Tresidder
20
13
28
John SHEN
Modena Motorsports
16
14
78
Suttiluck BUNCHAROEN
True Visions Motorsports Thailand
15
15
88
Hugues RIPERT
Spark Motorsport
11
16
65
ZHU Junhan
Absolute Racing
10
17
69
Christian CHIA
OpenRoad Racing
7
80
Sontaya KUNPLOME
Racing Spirit Thailand
6
17
FUNG Yui Sum
Arrows Racing
6
20
22
SIU Yuk Lung
LKM Racing
5
21
2
Kenneth LAU
Prince Racing Hong Kong
4
22
69
Gary CHEUNG
OpenRoad Racing
2
23
22
SIU Tit Lung
LKM Racing
0
18
(Clockwise from top right) • Girl Power Yeongam-style. • Happy Birthday ‘Dong Dong’. • Rodolfo Avila gets in some extra practice. • Farewell Korea! Until the next time...
Behind the Scenes at the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia