It was an exciting season opener for the 2013 GT Asia Series held yesterday where Peter Li Zhi Cong claimed the win in his Porsche 997 GT3 R on a very wet Twin Ring Motegi circuit. He was followed across the line by reigning Champion, Mok Weng Sun in the McLaren 12C GT3 in second and Tunku Hammam, who paired up with Ro-Charlz in Team Clearwater Racing’s Lamborghini LP560 GT3 in third. Craft Racing’s Stefan Mucke started the race from pole in the Aston Martin Vantage V12 GT3 and opened up a considerable gap, having the advantage of a clear view ahead whilst Li started the race in second. Li kept up a good pace, managing to fend of two charging Audi R8 LMS Ultra of Marchy Lee in third and Alex Yoong who, after a great start moved up to fourth from seventh.
Throughout the race, the shower was constant, sending sprays throughout the track making visibility low and causing most of the grid to be cautious in the first few laps to avoid incidents. Positions changed up and down the order with a number of drivers that spun out before rejoining the pack. As the pit-stop window opened, there were further changes in order, with Li having to serve a drive through penalty for having outside assistance when his engine ceased. Jacky Yeung also had to serve a penalty, a one second stop-go penalty for being under the 75 second stop rule. Yeung, who drove the Team Tiger Racing’s Lamborghini Gallardo GT, ended up finishing the race in 14th. Mucke led the first half of the race and at the pit-stop, handed the car over to teammate, Frank Yu. Yu continued to maintain a steady pace at the lead but despite his efforts, Li charged his way through the leaders from fourth after serving his penalty, all the way to claim the chequered flag.
Hammam took third for him and teammate Charlz. The young Australian driver started the race off well for the pair and handed the car over to Hammam in a good position for the second half of the race. “We got an alright start, it was very wet and very difficult to see anything so I dropped a few places actually at the start to the Audis. I think I was being a little bit cautious since it’s the first time in these cars, first time we’ve run it and our first race in the wet so I just wanted to be a bit careful with everything” said Charlz at the Post Race Press Conference.
John Shen crossed the line in tenth in his Porsche 997 Cup 3.8, ahead of Dilantha Malagamuwa in the Audi R8 LMS Ultra of Dilango Racing, the pairing of Jeffrey Lee and Marchy Lee in 12th, GTM pair Billy Fung and Asai Akihiro in 13th in Hitotsuyama Racing’s Audi R8 LMS and Team Tiger Racing’s Jacky Yeung completes the finishers for the race. GT Asia Series continues with Round 2 held today, Sunday, 12 May 2013 at 12.10pm local time.
