April 12, 2015 No. 05/15
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia – Round 2
Tung takes Dazzling Victory in Shanghai
Shanghai. China’s Tung Ho-Pin took his second career Porsche Carrera
Cup Asia victory in front of an ecstatic home crowd in Shanghai today
after an unforgettable 12-lap race. The Budweiser Team Absolute Racing
driver clinched the win in Round 2, held as part of the Chinese F1
Grand Prix weekend, ahead of pole-sitter Rodolfo Avila of Team Jebsen,
and Team Porsche Holding’s Martin Ragginger.
Fourth across the line after the race which was twice interrupted by
Safety Car periods, was Round 1 winner Craig Baird of Clearwater Racing
followed over the line by Porsche Carrera Cup Asia rookie and, at 17,
the series’ youngest-ever entry, Nico Menzel of PICC Team StarChase and
Team Yonda Dongfang’s Ro Charlz Skyangel. However, Menzel was later
penalised for causing a collision with Malaysian Alif Hamdan, which
dropped him down the order to 13th and promoted Skyangel to fifth.
The Class B race winner was Modena Motorsports’ Wayne Shen of Hong
Kong, who grabbed victory in dramatic fashion from Team Kangshun’s
Andersen P. Martono in the closing metres of the final lap. Martono was
another driver to be penalised by race stewards after he collided with
Team Jebsen’s Yuey Tan, putting him 17th on the results. That meant
second place went to Johnson Huang of Team BC Racing, who took his
first Class B podium in just the second race of second season. Third
was Samson Chan of Hong Kong.
After the Shanghai double header, Baird leads the race for the overall
title, but with a slim one-point lead over Avila. Tung and Ragginger
are tied in third, just a single point adrift of the Macau driver,
promising a thrilling championship battle over the coming 12 races. In
Class B, Wayne Shen leads the charge, three points ahead of Tan, with
Huang’s superb performance putting him third on the leaderboard.
With a victory which was nothing short of brilliant, Tung has very
definitely found his Porsche Carrera Cup Asia mojo, and the Chinese
driver could not have been more delighted with his win: “It’s an
amazing feeling to win in front of the home crowd here in Shanghai. I
think it was a very nice and fair battle. Rodolfo, Martin and me were
all kind of equal in terms of pace and we managed to pull a slight gap
from the guys behind us. For the audience, it must have been a very
enjoyable race. The pace was really there in the car today, so a big
thank you to Absolute Racing and my sponsor Budweiser.”
For Rodolfo, who wasn’t able to convert his Round 1 pole position into
a podium finish, it was a much better day: “It was a very interesting
race. I knew I had a better car than yesterday, but I noticed that I
was still struggling at the same points as yesterday and they could
catch up quite a lot. I knew it was going to be hard to stay on pole,
but it was a good battle with Raggi. I was quite lucky with Safety Cars
because my car, with a long run, tends to drop performance after a
couple of laps so it could cool down during the Safety Car. After
yesterday though, I’m really happy with second place.”
Ragginger was quick to admit his frustration at Avila’s straight-line
speed, but gave full credit to the race winner: “It’s so difficult to
pass Rodolfo. He’s so fast in a straight line. Ho-Pin did a good job,
made no mistakes and took the chances we gave him. Congratulations to
him, he deserves the victory.”
Wayne Shen, Class B champion in 2012, was glad to have got his quest
for a second title off to a promising start: “I’m really chuffed, and I
want to keep it up for the rest of the season. It was a really fun
race, hectic with lots going on. I could see Andersen’s tyres were
worse than mine, so I just had to be patient. He ran wide and I made my
move stick.”
As the lights went out at the Shanghai International Circuit, Avila
made an excellent getaway from pole, with Ragginger again in hot
pursuit, while Tung got by Baird off the start to go third. Fifth in
the order was Skyangel ahead of talented Malaysian Alif Hamdan.
Impressive newcomer Chris
van der Drift of Kamlung Racing, second in Round 1, was left stranded
on the second row of the grid with a broken clutch. Testament to the
high standard of competence within the 28-strong field, all drivers
skillfully avoided making contact as they left the grid.
Behind the leaders, Menzel misjudged a move on Hamdan, catapulting the
Malaysian off the track. Meanwhile, Team Betterlife’s Li Chao and
Francis Tjia of OpenRoad Racing tangled with the tyre barriers, and
Round 1 Class B winner Max Twigg came to a halt on the opening lap,
bringing out the Safety Car for the first time. Twigg managed to get
going again, limping back to the pits, while the Safety Car pulled off
at the end of Lap 3.
As racing resumed, Avila once again got away well, but Ragginger was
looming large in his mirrors. As the Austrian tried a move on the
inside of Avila, Tung neatly swept past to grab second. The following
lap though, Ragginger reclaimed the position from Tung, who then had to
hold off a hard-charging Baird.
In a repeat of the earlier scenario, Ragginger closed up to Avila and
set about getting past. As the Macau driver moved to the outside to
defend his position, Tung nipped through on the inside to seize the
race lead in a brave, perfectly-executed move. Despite a nudge from
Avila, Tung held firm and set about pulling away.
Tung’s hard work pulling clear of his rivals came to nothing though
when the Safety Car was called out for a second time on Lap 8. The
smell of victory was strong through, and at the restart the following
lap, Tung got away well and, despite a last-lap wobble at the
parabolica, stormed home to a well-earned victory.
The drama in one of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia’s finest races in many
seasons was not over though. Menzel found his way past Skyangel in the
closing stages of the race, while Team Jebsen’s Yuey Tan, who had led
the Class B field for the entire race, was taken out by Martono on Lap
10. Martono inherited the category lead until the final lap when Shen
made his move to seize the Class B win.
At the front of the pack, Ragginger’s frustration at not finding a way
past Avila saw him push too hard, allowing Baird to get by momentarily,
until the Austrian grabbed the position back just metres before the
flag.
Having once again ignited the flame of sportscar fascination amongst
the Shanghai fans with a superb season-opener, the Porsche Carrera Cup
Asia will be back in action next month, with another double-header,
this time at the Korea International Circuit from May 15-17. At South
Korea’s F1-standard circuit, the battle for the overall and Class B
2015 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship titles will resume in
earnest.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2015 Round 2 - Results
Pos No Driver/Nationality Clas
s
Entrant/Nationality Time
1 58 TUNG Ho-Pin (CHN) Budweiser Team Absolute
Racing (HKG)
28:09.13
6
2 20 Rodolfo AVILA (MAC) Team Jebsen (HKG) +1.985
3 86 Martin RAGGINGER (AUT) Team Porsche Holding
(CHN)
+2.305
4 12 Craig BAIRD (NZL) Clearwater Racing (SIN) +2.990
5 8 Ro Charlz SKYANGEL (SIN) Team Yonda Dongfang
(CHN)
+9.385
6 55 BAO Jin Long (CHN) Zheng Tong Auto (CHN) +10.243
7 16 Wayne SHEN (HKG) B Modena Motorsports
(HKG)
+16.832
8 72 Alif HAMDAN (MAS) Alif Hamdan Motorsports
(MAS)
+19.693
9 51 Johnson HUANG (TPE) B Team BC Racing Team
(TPE)
+23.557
10 2 *Samson CHAN (HKG) B Samson Chan (HKG) +24.999
11 5 Yuey TAN (SIN) B Team Jebsen (HKG) +30.306
12 3 Michael S. (INA) B OpenRoad Racing (HKG) +30.396
13 99 Nico MENZEL (GER) PICC Team StarChase
(CHN)
+33.148
14 88 Hugues RIPERT (HKG) B Spark Motorsport (HKG) +37.697
15 9 LI Chao (CHN) B Team Betterlife (CHN) +38.216
16 23 Paul TRESIDDER (AUS) B Paul Tresidder (AUS) +40.862
17 11 *Andersen P MARTONO (INA) B Team Kangshun (CHN) +47.090
18 80 Sontaya KUNPLOME (THA) B Racing Spirit Thailand
(THA)
+66.754
- 18 Vutthikorn INTHRAPHUVASAK
(THA)
B Chang Racing Team (THA) DNF
- 65 ZHU Jun Han (CHN) B Absolute Racing (HKG) DNF
- 69 Christian CHIA (CAN) B OpenRoad Racing (HKG) DNF
- 22 *SIU Tit Lung (HKG) B LKM Racing (HKG) DNF
- 17 FUNG Yui Sum (HKG) B Arrows Racing (HKG) DNF
- 78 Suttiluck BUNCHAROEN (THA) B True Visions
Motorsports Thailand
(THA)
DNF
- 28 John SHEN (HKG) B Modena Motorsports
(HKG)
DNF
- 21 Francis TJIA (HKG) B OpenRoad Racing (HKG) DNF
- 98 *Max TWIGG (AUS) B Max Twigg (AUS) DNF
- 68 Chris VAN DER DRIFT (NZL) Kamlung Racing (HKG) DNF
*Non series registered
Fastest lap: Nico Menzel/PICC Team StarChase/2:09.859/Lap4/151.114kph
Overall Points after Round 2 (top 5)
Pos Comp No Driver Entrant Points
1 12 Craig Baird Clearwater Racing 34
2 20 Rodolfo Avila Team Jebsen 33
3
58 Tung Ho-Pin Budweiser Team Absolute
Racing
32
86 Martin Ragginger Team Porsche Holding 32
5 8 Ro Charlz
Skyangel
Team Yonda Dongfang 22
Class B Points after Round 2 (top 5)
Pos Comp No Driver Entrant Points
1 16 Wayne Shen Modena Motorsports 36
2 5 Yuey Tan Team Jebsen 33
3 51 Johnson Huang Team BC Racing 26
4 2 Samson Chan Samson Chan 21
11 Andersen P
Martono
Team Kangshun 21
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2015
Series Partners
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. Close co-operation in research and development has led to
every new Porsche engine being filled with Mobil1 high-performance lubricant.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia drivers also have the advantage of racing on cutting-
edge tyres supplied by series partner Michelin. The consistent performance and
leading technology of Michelin tyres constantly improve the performance of many
teams in international motorsport. The partnership between Michelin and the
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia has emerged from a worldwide agreement signed between
Porsche AG and the Michelin group. The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is organised
and promoted by Malaysian based Motorsport Asia Ltd.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991)
The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is the motorsport version of the new 911 GT3 (Type
991). The near-standard race car, based on the seventh generation of the 911,
made its debut in Asia in 2014, having previously run exclusively in the
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is powered by a 3.8-litre, six cylinder boxer engine
which, due to the weight optimized modular race exhaust system, generates 460hp
(338 KW) at 7,500 revs per minute, ten horsepower more than its predecessor.
Power is delivered to the rear axle via a race clutch and a Porsche Motorsport
designed six-speed dog-type gearbox with a mechanical limited slip
differential. For the first time in a Porsche makes cup race car, gear shifting
is activated with paddle shifts on the steering wheel. The single piece race
wheels with centre mount were also newly designed by Porsche Motorsport. The
width of the Michelin race slicks was increased by two centimetres to 27
centimetres at the front and by ten millimetres at the rear axle to now measure
31 centimetres.
Compared to its predecessor, the wheelbase has grown by 100 millimetres,
improving handling at the limit, while Porsche Motorsport newly designed the
forged single-piece 18 inch race rims with central locking. The new racing
brake system improves the endurance qualities of the 911 GT3 Cup, and the
internally vented and slotted steel brake discs are operated by aluminium six-
piston racing calipers in the front, and four-piston units at the rear.
Safety features have also been further enhanced, and drivers are protected by a
newly calculated safety cage and newly designed race seat, while a rescue hatch
in the roof enables easy access and extrication.
Like the road going version, the body of the new 911 GT3 Cup combines maximum
rigidity with low weight thanks to its aluminium-steel construction, and weighs
in at just 1,175 kilograms.
About Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
Preparing for its 13th season in 2015, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia blasted off
the starting grid in 2003 and has never looked back. Joining the family of
hugely successful Porsche “one make” series, it is now firmly established as
the Number One racing series in Asia.
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia offers sporting competition at the highest level
across the region and is truly international, with competitors from all over
Asia as well as Europe and the Pacific. The field is made up of a combination
of professional racing drivers and ambitious and talented gentlemen drivers.
About Porsche China
Porsche was founded by Prof. Ferdinand Porsche in Stuttgart, Germany in 1931
and was then transformed into a sports car manufacturer by Ferry Porsche in
1948. Porsche has been known as one of the most prestigious automobile brands
in the world for decades. Under the guiding credo of “Intelligent Performance”,
Porsche leads the way in providing a new generation of sports cars that prove
performance and efficiency can be perfectly combined.
Since entering the Chinese market in 2001, Porsche China has been dedicated to
bringing the sporty genes and innovative spirit of the marque to Porsche
enthusiasts in this dynamic market. In Porsche’s network in China, customers
can experience the unlimited appeal of Porsche’s iconic sports cars: the
legendary 911 series, the renowned Boxster and Cayman mid-engine sports cars,
the luxurious Cayenne premium SUV, the dynamic and pioneering Macan SUV, the
sleek four-door Panamera Gran Turismo and the futuristic 918 Spyder super
sports car. Each demonstrates excellence in performance, exquisite design, and
consistent commitment to perfect quality that Porsche embodies. Across Mainland
China, Hong Kong and Macau, there are now 80 Porsche Centres in operation,
ensuring that Porsche customers across the country receive the hallmark
personalised care that sets Porsche apart around the world.
In 2014, Porsche has delivered a spectacular sales record of 46,931 deliveries
across Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. In 2015, Porsche China expects to
continue another year of outstanding performance in the Chinese market.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Ms Chester Zhang
Supervisor Public Relations and Press Motorsport
Porsche China
Tel: (86-21) 6156 5911
Fax: (86-21) 5058 4210
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.carreracupasia.com