Japan. (June 19, 2019) – The Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia roars back into action this weekend for one of the season’s most anticipated – and challenging – rounds with two races at Japan’s iconic Suzuka Circuit.
Racing the formidable fleet of Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO racing thoroughbreds are a tantalizing mix of champion-winning sportscar professionals and fledging talent all looking to prove themselves across the weekend’s double-header in the world’s fastest one-make GT series. The international field will take on the iconic and unforgiving Suzuka track, the only figure-of-eight circuit on the F1 calendar, to continue the quest for the four championship titles – Pro, Pro-Am, Am and the Lamborghini Cup.
Leading the Pro category after the season’s opening double header in April are Gama Racing’s Evan Chen of Chinese Taipei, China and quick Kiwi Chris van der Drift. The pair took both wins in Malaysia to give them the early category lead over the FFF Racing Team duo of Takashi Kasai of Japan and Finland’s Juuso Puhakka. Both 24-year-old Chen and Puhakka, 20, were recently announced as part of the Lamborghini Squadra Corse Young Driver Program 2019.
Joining the pair in representing the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia in the Young Driver Program are Brendon Leitch of New Zealand and Australian Richard Muscat. Leitch, 23, made his Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia debut in Malaysia and returns for the Suzuka rounds partnering Massimo Vignali at Leipert Motorsport in the Pro-Am category. Muscat, meanwhile, also races in the Pro-Am class, and returns to the championship with fellow Australian Daniel Stutterd at GDL Racing.
Two entries lead the ultra-competitive Pro-Am category: the Hojust Racing pairing of Afiq Yazid and Toshiyuki Ochiai and the no. 66 Vincenzo Sospiri Racing car each took a win and a second-place finish in the season-opener, and both teams will be looking to gain the advantage on the leaderboard in Suzuka. This time Hong Kong, China driver Alex Au teams up with Japanese driver Yuki Nemoto in the no. 66 entry. Japanese driver Takamichi Matsuda of yH Racing Team will aim to impress in his home race alongside teammate Daijiro Yoshihara, while Satoshi Furuta and Jun Tashiro of Promotion Racing will also fly the flag for Japan at Suzuka.
Chinese driver Han Huilin tops the Am class leaderboard, with the T Squared Racing driver doubly impressive with his solo efforts. Second on the Am leaderboard are brothers Sarun and Saravut Sereethoranakul of Thailand, the PSC Motorsports drivers on the hunt for their first win of the season at Suzuka.
Malaysia’s Zen Low and Italian Angelo Negro team up at Aylezo Motorsports in the Am category, as does Vincent Wong who is joined by Samson Chan of Hong Kong, China at GDL Racing. Chan returns to the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia for the first time since 2017. Fellow Hong Kong, China drivers Kenneth Lau and Michael Choi race in the Am class with Kamlung Racing Team, while Chinese driver Steven Lin of FFF Racing will tackle the double-header weekend solo. Making his Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia debut with GDL Racing is 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour Class B podium finisher Sam Fillmore of New Zealand, while Thailand’s Bobby Buncharoen makes a welcome championship return with True Visions Motorsport.
Lamborghini Cup points leaders Paul Wong and Clement Li of Hong Kong, China started off their title defense with a perfect score two victories. They’ll look to extend their lead this weekend, but category rival Gabriele Murroni of Italy will be looking for his victory of the season in the fourth GDL Racing car. Also on the hunt for his first Lamborghini Cup victory is Malaysian Kumar Prabakaran of Vincenzo Sospiri Racing.
One of the world’s truly unique race tracks, Japan’s legendary Suzuka Circuit contains multiple challenges for both drivers and engineers. Its 5.807 km features a rollercoaster ride of tight esses, sweeping curves, a hairpin, chicane and lightning straights, all of which require precision, intelligence and absolute commitment.
Following two hour-long free practice sessions on Friday, June 21, qualifying sessions for each of the weekend’s two races will be held on Saturday. The weekend’s first race begins on Saturday at 16:55 local time (GMT+9). On Sunday, June 23, the fourth race of the season gets underway at 13:30 local time.
Both races can be watched around the world via the livestream on www.squadracorse.lamborghini.com
Follow us
Visit Lamborghini Squadra Corse website for all updates on our track activities: www.squadracorse.lamborghini.com
Join the conversation with #SuperTrofeo
Facebook: facebook.com/LamborghiniSquadraCorse
Twitter: twitter.com/LamborghiniSC
Instagram: Instagram.com/LamborghiniSC
You Tube: youtube.com/LamborghiniSquadraCorse
For all media requests, please email: prplus@press.prplus.com.hk