(Photos courtesy of Amos Wong)
Zhuhai, China, 7 November 2010 - Marchy Lee and Matthew Marsh made Hong Kong racing history today with the territory’s first ever class victory in an official Le Mans endurance race.
The duo teamed up with Malaysia’s former F1 star Alex Yoong to finish first in the LMGTC category – and 12th overall – in the 1,000km of Zhuhai in China, the final race of the 2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup series.
“What a great story: the local boys done good!” said an ecstatic Marsh. “Our car was brand new and we drove it for the first time on Thursday. Meanwhile our competition had experienced a full season in Europe.
“Our performance is testament to the skills, enthusiasm and dedication which now exist in Asian motorsport – much of it from Hong Kong.”
Marsh, Lee and Yoong were driving an Audi R8 LMS for Hong Kong team KK Performance.
They convincingly won the LMGTC category from fellow Hong Kong driver Philip Ma and Switzerland’s Mathias Beche, who finished 16th overall in an Aston Martin DBR S9.
“We did have a couple of dramas along the way,” added Marsh. “Our first pit stop took four minutes instead of two because of a faulty valve in the wheel changing equipment. Then we were given a stop-go penalty of one minute because a refueller had his helmet visor open during a pit stop.
“Over the course of a long and exciting weekend, three things stood out for me. First, the quiet and unflustered work of our Chinese and Filipino mechanics guided by Fabien Fior and Ingo Matter – they were totally unfazed by the unfamiliar competition.
“Second, the way Alex executed the qualifying session in extremely difficult conditions – his is a rare talent. And third, the excellent support we received from Regis Jeandenand and his team from Michelin Asia. Bravo to Marchy and team owner CK Lo for putting it all together!”
At the end of almost six hours of racing, the chequered flag was taken by French pair Stephane Sarrazin and Franck Montagny in a Peugeot 908 HDi after a thrilling finale.
In completing 232 laps, they finished less than five seconds clear of the Audi R15 TDI driven by Denmark’s eight-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Tom Kristensen and Scot Allan McNish, himself a two-time victor in the famous race.
The victory also meant Peugeot won the team and constructors’ titles in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.
Hong Kong driver Darryl O’Young and British teammate Richard Westbrook, driving a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (997) in the LMGT2 category, were forced to retire after 119 laps.
The 1,000km of Zhuhai was the third and final race of the 2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup following earlier races at Silverstone in the UK and Atlanta, USA.
It marked the first time the famous Le Mans brand had come to China and the country will host another race next year in an expanded Intercontinental Le Mans Cup series.
--ENDS--
Released on behalf of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, 1,000km of Zhuhai by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.
No comments:
Post a Comment