Asia Supercar Challenge - 2008 R4 & R5 PRESS RELEASE

The Asia Supercar Challenge race cars were again at Sepang International Circuit, as a support race to the Super GT race. There were plans for five support races this weekend, but the Asian GT Challenge was finally cancelled due to a congested race schedule.

The skies were generally clear for the weekend, although there was always a threat of Malaysian monsoon rain. Nevertheless, the 26 GT cars were all ready for action in front of the strong Malaysian crowd.

Qualifying
IMSS’s Domenico Schiattarella set a blistering pace for the weekend, after clocking the fastest time of 2:10.980 in Ferrari 430, which was 1.49 seconds ahead of the Siu Tit Lung in Lamborghini Gallardo. The second row was locked up by Samson Chan in his Porsche 997, and by Siu’s brother and teammate Siu Yuk Lung, both drivers on 2’12 pace. A surprise for the weekend was Michael Lee who has now solved the gremlins in his Corvette Z06 and qualified 6th, whilst Macanese driver Rodolfo Avila was a lowly 9th penalized from successful ballast in the previous three rounds

Race One
During the formation lap, Samson Chan had to return to pits to change tyres on the left front, and hence he had to start from pit lane, and this ruined his race totally.
As the lights went off for the start of the race, pole setter Domenico got off the line cleanly, but Siu Tit Lung had trouble with his Lamborghini and was totally overwhelmed by the full race grid. Meanwhile, Sam Yau which started from 5th place, benefitted from the misery of Samson Chan, was the only driver managing to stay in touch with Domenico.
Further back, there was close racing between Siu Yuk Lung, Wayne Shen, Eddie Yau, Michael Lee, Rodolfo Avila and Francis Tjia. These six drivers provided great racing action for the spectators, and the positions changed several times.
At the end of the race, Domenico held off Sam Yau to win by a comfortable margin of 1.5secs, whilst Siu Yuk Lung crossed the finish line 1 sec ahead of Class A winner Wayne Shen.

Race Two
As usual, the Race Two grid was determined by the finishing position of the previous race, but from a rolling start. It was a spectacular for the spectators to see 26 GT race cars roaring at the start. Domenico to stretch to a comfortable lead of 3 secs and leaving the chasing pack to fight for the remaining places on the podium. Sam Yau had his mirrors full of the Lamborghini of Siu Yuk Lung, whilst Eddie Yau and Rodolfo Avila was fighting each other, allowing the mid pack of Wayne, Francis, Samson, Michael all to keep within striking distance.

However, on Lap 6, Francis tagged heavily onto the rear of Samson’s car at Turn 15, and both drivers had to retire. This brought out the safety car for two laps as the marshalls quickly removed both vehicles off the racing line.

So this meant the cars were all packed closely together for a final mad dash on the last lap as the safety car returned to the pits. Nevertheless, Domenico had a strong car and managed to drive defensively to hold on to a 1 sec win ahead of Siu Yuk Lung, whilst his brother Siu Tit Lung completed the podium. Chinese lady driver Rose Tan won the Class A.