Audi R8 Cup Racing Starts In China

Asia’s eagerly-anticipated new international racing series, the Audi R8 LMS Cup, will debut with a double-header at the Shanghai International Circuit at the end of this month (April 28th and 29th). The 16-strong line-up includes former Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong of Malaysia and single seater star Marchy Lee of Hong Kong. The Cup receives an extra bolt of star power in the form of special guest driver Aaron Kwok. The highly-acclaimed Hong Kong artist, who is known to millions as an actor and singer, is equally committed to his craft at the wheel, and is a respected and accomplished racing driver. Audi chose China to debut its first one-makes cup at the brand has delivered some 300.000 vehicles in 2011 thus making China the biggest market for Audi worldwide. This year got off to an equally-successful start for the brand with the Four Rings, with 90,000 deliveries in China and Hong Kong in the first quarter, representing a year-on-year increase of 40 percent. After its debut in Shanghai the series will travel to Zhuhai, Ordos in Inner Mongolia, returning to Zhuhai and then Shanghai. The fleet of 16 cars for the inaugural season are full GT3-specificiation and identical with the version in which Italian sensation Edoardo Mortara raced to thunderous victory in last November’s Macau GT Cup. Internationally, the Audi (R8 LMS which stands for Le Mans Series) has already scored more than 100 victories. Only minimal adjustments will be permitted under the series regulations, allowing pure racing talent to shine. Three titles will be up for grabs in 2012: The Audi R8 LMS Cup overall title, a category for amateur drivers, and one for teams, with each round points-scoring. “We intend to bring a new standard of motorsport to China. And we are committed to nurturing up-and-coming young talent”, says Koneberg of Audi Sport customer racing China. Having completed a successful weekend of testing at Southern China’s Zhuhai International Circuit at the start of the month, organisers are set to release the full entry list in the next few days. Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Website at: www.audir8lmscup.com