It was the best start for the Porsche 997 GT3R of Hisao Shigeta in Round 3 of the GT Asia Series when he overpowered the pole sitter at the start of the race to claim the lead that he held all the way to the chequered flag. Shigeta started the race from 3rd place and as the lights turned green during the rolling start, the Direction Racing driver took both the pole sitter Marchy Lee in the Audi R8 LMS Ultra and Asia Racing Team’s Porsche 997 GT3 R driven by Lee Li Zhi Cong to claim the lead.
Despite using used tyres, Shigeta managed to keep his pace and lead all the way to the chequered flag. Shigeta will start the next race from pole after setting the best time during Qualifying 2 yesterday. “The next race I will have 70 kilos added but I will have new tyres so it will be fun for us” he ended.
Ferrari F458 GT3 driver, Mok Weng Sun claimed 2nd place in a last minute overtaking manoeuvre on Li’s Porsche at turn four of the last lap. The duo were battling throughout the second half of the race after the pit-stop sessions. Mok finished the race drenched in sweat but smiling at the outcome. “I’ve got to say, that is my best race ever! It is the most fun I have ever had. Li mirrored his enthusiasm and was also all smiles after the race “It was really exciting being chased by Mok for about nine to ten laps. It’s good.
In the end, the Audi duo, Marchy Lee and Jeffrey Lee, finished the race in 4th place with the Ford GT3 of Frank Yu close behind him. Yu’s Craft Eurasia Racing’s teammate, Samson Chan crossed the finish line in 6th followed by two F458’s, Team Clearwater Racing’s David Lai and newcomer Bob Irawan in 8th. The Indonesian driver was happy with his first race despite making a mistake that caused him to overshoot into the gravel on the third lap.
Eric Lo made a spectacular return to the Series claiming his 1st win in the GTM class in his Ferrari F430, when he crossed the line in ninth, ahead of Hideki Onda. The Hong Kong native immediately credited the win to his mechanics “we spent a lot of time setting up the car and the car is great so I was able to do quick laptimes during the race”. Lo and the other F430 of Onda were battling throughout the forty minute race and the duo were happy with the great fight. Onda was not able to start his car at the warm-up lap and had to be pushed in to start from the pit-lane.
Jacky Yeung in the Lamborghini Gallardo GT made a good finish, overtaking Philip Ma’s Porsche 997 Cup 3.8 right at the end of the race. Ma, who lost his radio communication thought Yeung was one lap down, and left a big gap for him to pass. Ma laughed to himself after the race with the result. Siu Yuk Lung in the Porsche 997 Cup 3.8 and Arrows Racing’s Billy Fung in the Lamborghini LP600 completed the finishers for Round 3. Sri Lankan Dilantha Malagamuwa was still plagued with car troubles, backing out of the race early on with a fuel leak while Shim Ching had engine woes that ended his race on lap 15.
The GT Asia Series continues at Sepang International Circuit with Round 4 at 11.00am (local time) on Sunday, 10 June 2012. Drivers taking part in the first six rounds of the GT Asia Series are eligible to collect Championship points for a special AAMC Macau GT Cup Trophy, which will be awarded to them at the end of the Season during the Finale in Macau this November. The GT Asia Series will head to three Japanese weekends starting with Fuji International Circuit on 13-15 July, Suzuka International Racing Course on 17-19 August and Autopolis International Circuit on 28-30 September. The Season Finale will be held as part of the Macau GP at the Guia International Circuit on 16-18 November. The 2012 GT Asia Series is supported by, Yokohama ADVAN, Graham Timekeepers, KW Automotive, AutoArt, Stand21, Endless, Cody Enterprises and RaceRoom. The GT Asia Series is jointly organised by Motorsport Asia and Supercar Club Hong Kong.
