20 мая 2014, 10:11 4 мин.

Audi R8 LMS Cup & GT Asia: 2014 season opened in Yeongam, South Korea

Автор

В прошедший уикенд на южнокорейском автодроме в Йонаме открылся сезон Кубка Ауди R8 Ле Ман и GT Asia. Победителем первого раунда стал китайский пилот Чен Конгфу. Экс-пилот Ф1 Алекс Юн победил во втором раунде. Экс-пилотесса DTM из Швейцарии Рахель Фрей завершила гонку второй. Южнокорейский гонщик Ю Кён Ук с 19 места в первом раунде поднялся до четвертого во втором. Следующий раунд Кубка состоится на Фудзи Спидвее (Япония) 26-27 июля, ГТ Азии - 30 мая-1 июня на японской трассе Автополис.

Yeongam, South Korea, May 17-18, 2014

The season opener of the 2014 Audi R8 LMS Cup concluded with a victory for “Franky” Cheng Congfu at the Korea International Circuit in Yeongam, wrote Audi LMS Cup site. The Chinese driver started at the front of the field after posting the fastest lap time in qualifying. Using the new push-to-pass engine boost, Cheng consolidated his lead during the first lap and held on to it with strong and consistent driving. Adderly Fong from Hong Kong, and former Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong from Malaysia, came in close behind in second and third.

Former Formula 1 driver, Alex Yoong from Malaysia, claimed a start-to-finish victory in round 2 of the 2014 season opener of the Audi R8 LMS Cup at the Korea International Circuit. He saw off stiff competition from Swiss female driver Rahel Frey, who came in second, and 2012 Audi R8 LMS Cup champion Marchy Lee, who completed the podium in South Korea.

There was drama from the start as Italian Stefano Montesi lost control and came off the track in the first lap. A few minutes into the race, last year’s champion Adderly Fong was pushed off the track by youngster Matt Solomon. Both drivers had to retire from the race. Solomon later received a penalty of five grid positions for the next race.

At the front of the field, an intense battle for the top three spots was being fought. Lee was hot on the tail of leader Yoong, with Frey following close behind. On more than one occasion, Lee was about to overtake, but clever driving and the defensive use of the push-to-pass function by Yoong ensured that the Malaysian kept the lead. Frey increased the pace towards the end of the race and seized the opportunity to successfully overtake on the long straight in the penultimate lap.

Yoong managed the extra weight of 20 kilograms well that he received for his third place in yesterday’s Round 1. However, “Franky” Cheng Congfu struggled with the new weight additions for podium drivers. Carrying an extra 60 kilograms, Round 1 winner Cheng was not able to repeat his success and finished fifth.

In the second round of the GT Asia series, the Audi R8 LMS ultra of Alex Yoong and Matt Solomon unfortunately had to retire with a technical issue while leading the race. It was a disappointing end to a promising performance. Marchy Lee and Jeffrey Lee in car number 7 finished seventh. Jacky Yeung won the GTM class in the same car he raced in the Audi R8 LMS Cup.

Alex Yoong: “It was a tricky race for me with the weight addition. The extra 20 kilograms made it hard to keep the lead. I just tried to maintain a gap behind me and used the push-to-pass defensively to prevent Marchy from overtaking. It was a close fight but I managed to keep him away and drive steady to win.”

Kyon Ouk You: “I started off 19 th , and then ended up with the Four Rings trophy [for regional Audi teams and dealerships]. It was tough, but every time I came down the home stretch, I heard the roar of the crowd, so I was motivated by their support, and wanted to do well for them. I want to thank them. Their support means a lot to me, and it led to my success today.”

Next round to be held at Fuji Speedway (Japan) on July 26-27. 2014 Season Calendar

2014 Audi R8 LMS Cup Round 1 - Korea International Circuit, South Korea

Provisional Result

Pos No. Name Cls Team Fastest

1 25 CHENG Congfu (Franky) 4R Audi R8 LMS Cup Team 2:11.784

2 68 Adderly FONG 4R KAMLUNG Racing 2:11.818

3 8 Alex YOONG Audi TEDA Racing Team 2:11.186

4 66 Rahel FREY Castrol Racing Team 2:12.168

5 24 Darryl O’YOUNG CTVS 2:12.346

2014 Audi R8 LMS Cup Round 2 - Korea International Circuit, South Korea

Provisional Result

Pos No. Name Cls Team Fastest