ProMax Team’s Andrew Haryanto recorded an astonishing debut victory in the opening race of the 2018 Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup season. Racing on the 3.219 km Adelaide Street Circuit for the first time in his career in front of a 77,000-strong crowd, it is also the Indonesian’s first outing in the Audi R8 LMS GT3.
Theo Koundouris, who is making his eighth appearance at the Adelaide 500, held off hard-charging countryman Yasser Shahin of JAMEC PEM Racing – another impressive track debutant – to claim second.
Circuit veteran James Koundouris and track newcomer Bhurit Bhirombhakdi of Singha Plan-B Motorsport by Absolute Racing completed a top five that reflected how quickly those new to the circuit have adapted to the challenging conditions and the high benchmarks set by their experienced track rivals.
It was heartache for Tony Bates of Tony Bates Racing who had started on pole, but fell to fourth after the first corner before his race ended prematurely in the gravel trap on lap 11 of an eventual 17.
“Congratulations to all our drivers for a thrilling race today, and to our winner Andrew Haryanto,” said Martin Kuehl, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia. “Three of the top five finishers are racing on this demanding street circuit for the first time in their careers, and their success is a testament to the equality of the sporting platform provided in the Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup.”
Thousands of passionate Australian fans filled the grandstands for the first day of the Adelaide 500 weekend motorsport spectacular, and got their first taste of the Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup.
