Audi R8 LMS Cup: Alex Yoong and Marchy Lee emerged winners for Round 8 & 9



The Malaysian leg of the Audi R8 LMS Cup has just concluded over the weekend of 5 and 6 September at the Sepang International Circuit. The event saw Round 8 and Round 9 of the racing series take place – two of the 13 rounds scheduled this year.

It’s a very competitive championship because the drivers don’t just compete using the same 560 hp V10-powered Audi R8 LMS Cup Car. In view of the Push-to-Pass system, they also imposed a Race Success Ballast to all podium finishers of each race to make subsequent rounds even more challenging.2015 Audi R8 LMS Cup in Malaysia - AutoBuzz.my

Each leg consists of two rounds and each round the starting grid is determined by two different approach. In Race 1, a qualifying session will determine the grid, whereas Race 2’s grid is set according to the fastest lap times clocked during Race 1. They start differently too; Race 1 is a rolling start and Race 2 is a standing start.

Franky Cheng from FAW-VW Audi Racing Team took pole position for Race 1, ahead of Marchy Lee from Audi Hong Kong Team and our local hero Alex Yoong from Audi TEDA Racing Team. Alex and Franky carried Race Success Ballast for finishing second and third on Round 7 held at the Penbay International Circuit in Taiwan, but that didn’t stop Alex from overtaking Marchy and snatching the first place from Franky.2015 Audi R8 LMS Cup in Malaysia - AutoBuzz.my

With a strong support from his family and friends as well as the local fans, Alex maintained his lead for a few laps before Marchy starts to put pressure on him towards the end of the race, while Franky was demoted to fifth behind Korean driver Kyong-Ouk You from Audi Korea. Alex managed to fend off Marchy’s attacks until the chequered flag, securing him the win for Round 8 which subsequently moved him to the top of the championship points. Coming in third was Swiss driver Rahel Frey from Castrol Racing Team, who qualified fourth for the race.2015 Audi R8 LMS Cup in Malaysia - AutoBuzz.my

In Race 2 Alex secured himself the pole position for clocking the fastest lap time in Race 1, followed by Marchy and Kyong-Ouk You. Alex and Marchy also had to carry the Race Success Ballast for their podium finishes in Race 1, while Rahel starts in fifth place behind Stefano Montesi from Team Betterlife.

Marchy kept his cool in the beginning of the race, and his patience was rewarded with his first win of the season when he managed to pass Alex and retained his position until the chequered flag. Meanwhile, Franky did an amazing job making his way up from seventh to second, while Rahel took the final podium position, ahead of Alex. Even after finishing fourth in Round 9, Alex was pleased with his results, and he is currently leading the drivers championship standings.2015 Audi R8 LMS Cup in Malaysia - AutoBuzz.my

The next leg will be held at the Fuji International Speedway in Japan, one that will take place on 10 and 11 October before the finale at Shanghai on 31 October and 1 November.


IMAGE GALLERY

Race 1 (Round 8)

Race 2 (Round 9)