Imperatori Dominates in Shanghai
Shanghai. Shanghai-based driver Alexandre IMPERATORI of Switzerland completed his near-perfect debut with reigning champions Team StarChase by winning Round 2 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia from pole at the Shanghai International Circuit today. Second across the line after the 12-lap race was Team Jebsen’s Rodolfo Avila of Macau, followed by American Brian WONG of Absolute Racing who made his debut with the series this weekend. In Class B, it was China’s WANG Jian Wei of Team BetterLife who took his maiden series victory, followed by OpenRoad Racing’s Francis TJIA and Wayne SHEN of Modena Motorsport, who finished ahead of brother John.
IMPERATORI’s two wins get Team StarChase’s championship defense off to a strong start, putting them at the top of the leaderboard with a six point lead over rivals Team Jebsen. Brian WONG lies third in the title chase after two races, with WANG Jian Wei of BetterLife in fourth. A dramatic start saw IMPERATORI get away cleanly from pole, but the trio of Keita SAWA, team mate Darryl O’YOUNG, and AVILA were three-abreast behind him. The resulting struggle for position saw both the LKM Racing Team drivers pick up punctures, forcing them to pit. Both returned to the track, with O’YOUNG setting the fastest lap of the race and making it up to 14th by the flag, and SAWA two places behind. Mok had a great start and out of Turn 3, was right next to O’YOUNG in 4th. However, braking for T5, he got hit at the back by Anthony LIU, spinning him into Ringo CHONG who had been trying to avoid LIU. CHONG was forced to retire immediately, with MOK pulling over after seven laps.
IMPERATORI set about pulling away in front, but AVILA fought to keep him in his sights, but without risking valuable championship points. The Team StarChase ace had build up a gap of more than six seconds by the flag. WONG had it all to do this weekend, and was rewarded with a well-deserved podium finish. Racing for the first time with the series, and having never been to the 5.5km Shanghai track, the 22-year-old was surprised and delighted to have excelled amongst such stiff competition, having started the second race from 8th on the grid. Battles continued throughout the field for the entire 12 laps, with the Class B drivers providing the crowds with some superb action. OpenRoad Racing’s Francis TJIA had been running in third for much of the race, before being taken by WONG mid-way through. On the penultimate lap, TJIA spun having elected an aggressive set up, losing the Class B victory to WANG. In the closing stages of the race, all eyes were on Dr. MA Chi Min and MAK Hing Tak, the two Hong Kong racers locked in battle, with MA eventually edging past his rival on the penultimate lap.
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia will be back in action at the Pearl River Delta’s Zhuhai International Circuit next month.
Supporting the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia are two of the most recognised names in international motorsport, Mobil1 and Michelin. Mobil and Porsche have been partners since 1996.
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is organised and promoted by Malaysian based Motorsport Asia Ltd.
Round 2 – Results
Pos.
Comp No.
Driver
Class
Entrant
Time
1
99
Alexandre IMPERATORI (SUI)
A
Team StarChase (CHN)
26:10.349
2
20
Rodolfo AVILA (MAC)
A
Team Jebsen (HKG)
+6.399
3
89
Brian WONG (USA)
A
Absolute Racing (HKG)
+23.406
4
9
WANG Jian Wei (CHN)
B
Team BetterLife (CHN)
+34.500
5
21
Francis TJIA (NED)
B
OpenRoad Racing (HKG)
+38.615
6
16
Wayne SHEN (CAN)
B
Modena Motorsports (HKG)
+49.515
7
28
John SHEN (CAN)
B
Modena Motorsports (HKG)
+69.760
8
23
Paul TRESIDDER (AUS)
B
Paul Tresidder (AUS)
+70.749
9
36
Seven CHIAN (TPE)
B
Team Hong Kong Racing (HKG)
+83.219
10
22
Morris KU (HKG)
B
Team DAYCRAFT (HKG)
+87.224
11
83
Dr. MA Chi Min (HKG)
B
Asia Racing Team (MAC)
+96.960
12
68
MAK Hing Tak (HKG)
B
OMAK (HKG)
+104.469
13
27
Adrian Henry D’SILVA (MAS)
B
Nexus Racing (MAS)
+116.314
14
55
Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG)
A
LKM Racing (HKG)
+117.548
15
77
Jacky YEUNG (HKG)
B
Jacky Yeung (HKG)
+121.549
16
88
Keita SAWA (JPN)
A
LKM Racing (HKG)
1 Lap
17
15
Keith VONG (MAC)
B
Asia Racing Team (MAC)
1 Lap
33
MOK Weng Sun (SIN)
A
Team PCS Racing (SIN)
DNF
59
Philip BRIANDET (SIN)
B
Shift2Neutral Racing (SIN)
DNF
5
Yuey TAN (SIN)
B
Wimobilize McElrea Racing (SIN)
DNF
66
Rose TAN (CHN)
B
Team C&D (CHN)
DNF
37
Anthony LIU (CHN)
B
Woyo Racing (CHN)
DNF
7
Jeffrey LEE (TPE)
B
Team Pauian Archiland Absolute (TPE)
DNF
11
Ringo CHONG (SIN)
B
Team Kangshun (CHN)
DNF
Fastest lap: Darryl O’YOUNG/LKM Racing Team/2:08.966/lap 4/152.161kph
