Matt Howson of Hong Kong-based KCMG, Ho-Pin Tung and Darryl O'Young yesterday met with the media at the pre-event press conference, and a recording of that can be found HERE
(Sir) Tom Kristensen observed yesterday that the only real surprise over Audi’s relative lack of pace at Fuji, compared to the Toyotas and Porsches, was that the opposition’s pace hadn’t shown itself before. “I think we were surprised to get this far into the year before you saw that advantage really take hold. Fuji was exactly where we thought we would be, and there’s nothing to suggest that we won’t be there for the rest of the season.”
The flash fuel fire in the Proton Competition pit during Free Practice 1 ended with a lot of powder from the extinguishers and very little damage. The car was being cleaned up post session. Wolf Henzler joins the team as super-sub this weekend with Klaus Bachler being on Porsche SuperCup duty in the USA.
The No.90 8Star Ferrari this weekend is using the red #61 AF Corse chassis. The orange-liveried car is here, but Italian Gianluca Roda asked to race in the red colour scheme this weekend. ELMS standout Matteo Cressoni joins the Roda/ Ruberti duo here.
Steve Wyatt has a racing commitment in Malaysia this weekend, counting out the No.81 car in China, but it will be back for the remainder of the season.
The No.35 Oak Racing Morgan Judd that finished on the LMP2 podium in Japan is all change in terms of driver squad – David Cheng and Ho Pin Tung are joined by the ever popular Mark Patterson. The ever so slightly jetlagged American-based South African observed that “This may not be the quickest car in this field but she sure is the prettiest.”
The weekend in Shanghai features a packed support schedule with the Audi R8 LMS Cup, Asian Formula Renault and locally based GT Series Boss GP on the bill.
Graham Goodwin
