Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release
- Marchy Lee claims victory ahead of Adderly Fong and Cheng Congfu
- Cup debut in Korea sees local hopeful Kyong-Ouk You finish fifth in round 6
- Adderly Fong heads to next stop in Malaysia as overall leader
Inje, South Korea, August 4, 2013 – 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.
"Inje was the first stop of the Audi R8 LMS Cup outside of China and we saw two exciting races on this new and challenging circuit. I am now looking forward to the second step of the Asian expansion of the series with two races at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia at the end of August", says Rene Koneberg, Head of Audi Sport customer racing Asia.
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.
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.
Marchy Lee:
"It feels really good to win the race. I feel for Earl (Bamber), he deserved to win and without his problem he probably would have done. He is a top young driver and a real emerging talent. I felt better today, the set-up was definitely better, and I felt I was closer to Earl Bamber in terms of race speed. It was tough with Adderly (Fong) pushing me but I held out for the win."
Adderly Fong:
"I struggled a little to find the pace to catch the front two but with four laps to go I felt I had a chance because Marchy (Lee) was hitting traffic. However, I pushed a little too hard which ended my chances of first place."
'Franky' Cheng Congfu:
"It was an eventful race for me. I was pushing really hard because I felt I had good race pace, however, I clipped the apex of a curb too hard and fell back. But I climbed up positions again. In the end, it is pretty satisfactory to take third place."
Eric K:
"I felt that for a while I was close to Alex Au but over the course of the race I lost performance in my tires and this led to a couple of mistakes. However, I am fairly happy with my race weekend and look forward to the next one."
Audi R8 LMS Cup – Round 6 Results
Overall Classification after Round 6
To see full race results and classifications please go to the official Audi R8 LMS Cup website at www.audir8lmscup.com
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
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