An eventful round 6 of the Audi R8 LMS Cup saw Marchy Lee claim victory ahead of overall championship leader Adderly Fong and Chinese sensation “Franky” Cheng Congfu. The winner of Saturday’s round 5, Earl Bamber had to retire on lap 13 with a fuel pressure problem whilst leading the race. Malaysian Alex Yoong started from the back of the grid after his dismal qualifying session and battled his way through the field to take fourth position.
After taking the chequered flag in round 5, Earl Bamber headed into the second race of the weekend confident of another good result. When the lights turned green, the front three tussled for positions, with Adderly Fong having a look at the inside of the racing line of Marchy Lee for an overtaking opportunity. But going into turn one the leaders were as they were, with Earl Bamber controlling from the front. At the back of the field Alex Yoong made an excellent start and by the end of the first lap he had made up 10 positions to move into seventh, cutting through the field with aggressive driving on a challenging circuit.
At the front of the field, Earl Bamber began to stamp his authority on the race, gradually pulling away from the chasing pack. While putting pressure on Adderly Fong, Chinese star Cheng Congfu spun off the track on lap three and fell back to seventh.
The race took a dramatic twist on lap 13 when a fuel pressure problem ended the race for leader Earl Bamber. Marchy Lee took over the front with very consistent driving, followed closely by fellow Hong Kong driver Adderly Fong. Behind them, a close battle had evolved between Korean Kyong-Ouk You, Alex Yoong and Cheng Congfu, with Cheng eventually managing to pass both competitors.
More drama evolved towards the end of the race. With two laps to go, Fong spun while trying to push for victory. But he managed to come back onto the track and keep his second position. In the final lap, Marchy Lee got almost taken out by a backmarker. Last year’s series champion had to use all his experience to negotiate the danger and ease his car home for first place in round 6, ahead of Fong and Cheng. Homegrown talent Kyong-Ouk You finished fifth behind Malaysia’s Yoong in fourth.
Alex Au was again the highest place amateur racer, making it an excellent double win for the gentleman driver over the weekend. He was followed closely by Eric K and Aaron Kwok, who made up the final two positions in the amateur championship.
The events of the Inje race weekend meant that Adderly Fong now heads the leaderboard of the Audi R8 LMS Cup with 105 points. Marchy Lee’s win puts him close behind on 91, with Alex Yoong just two points further back on 89. Rounds 7 and 8 of the 2013 series will be held at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia between August 28 and 31.
Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Website: www.audir8lmscup.com
Audi R8 LMS Cup, 2013, Upcoming Races
28–31 August, Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
25–27 October, Shanghai International Circuit, China
09–10 November, Guia International Circuit, Macau
