Hisamori Hayashi took the Porsche 997 GT3R of Direction Racing to claim the win in one of the most unpredictable races ever in GT Asia Series at Fuji Speedway Circuit yesterday. The skies opened up as the cars lined up on the grid for a group photo shoot session and pit-walkabout on the 1.5km straight making it a waiting game to decide on tyre options. The rain stopped and the sun came out with less than 20 minutes to go to the start but the track was still wet, leaving the Race Director to declare a wet race start.
Mok Weng Sun took his Ferrari 458 GT3 to a brilliant start, getting away clean from pole whilst behind him were two Porsche 997 GT3 R’s, Hisao Shigeta broke away and was driving side by side with Asia Racing Team’s Peter Li Zhi Cong when the duo touched. Shigeta spun and his race ended thereafter. The race continued with Mok leading the pack until turn 3, when Marchy Lee in the Audi R8 LMS Ultra got the better line, took him from the inside for the lead. But just one lap later, Marchy made a mistake and spun leaving Mok, Li and Hayashi to pass before rejoining in fourth.
As all drivers completed their pit-stop, the order was restored with Li leading the race followed closely by Mok, Hayashi and Jeffrey. Then on lap 15 at turn 15, Mok was caught into a spin and touched the rear bumper of Li causing the young Chinese driver to also spin. Li managed to recover quickly but was passed by Hayashi and Jeffrey while Mok made a quick dash to the pit to check his car for damage. Li then managed to catch up to Jeffrey and immediately claimed second while Hayashi maintained a strong pace in front to claim his first win in GT Asia Series.
Towards the end of the race, Hayashi just maintained his pace as his team was constantly communicating to him of the position of the cars behind, “I did not feel any pressure from the two drivers behind and just maintained my pace” ended Hayashi. The Audi duo of Marchy and Jeffrey Lee were satisfied with the race as they managed to prove that despite the fact that their car was not really suited for Fuji Circuit, they managed to impress everyone with their pace. “The start wasn’t too bad, I stayed on the inside line and defended from the Porsche. After the first corner I was already second then I focused on trying to pass Mok, who I found to be driving quite conservatively so I found a way pass, so I got the lead.
Behind them Dilantha Malagamuwa managed to get a good pace after all the troubles he faced over the weekend, he passed Samson Chan towards the end of the race for fourth. Clifford Chen in the Ferrari 458 Challenge and Hideo Takahashi were the only two other finishers of the day, completing 20 laps in the forty minute race. Anthony Chan’s Lotus Evora GT4 was not classified, while Hideki Onda could not start the race due to an electrical problem that would not engage the gearbox. Sasha Chu was given a black flag for not executing his pit-stop within the timeframe.
GT Asia Series continues with Round 7 & 8 at Suzuka International Circuit on 17-19 August 2012, held as part of the Super GT event.
