Amongst a vibrant crowd of overjoyed racing enthusiasts, media and fans, the Shanghai International Circuit was filled with the thunderous echo of raging bulls as the debut race of the second ever Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series kicked-off this weekend. The hugely successful start to this year’s Asia Series dawned as a new ensemble of freshly-faced gentlemen drivers from China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, and for the first time India and Sri Lanka, all came to indulge their mutual passion for extreme driving experiences.
While the strong favourites for the first race were William Lok (#44) from China and his racing partner Davide Rizzo, it was Jiang Xing from China and Max Wiser (#9) who climbed the leaderboard place to claim first place in the Race 1 held on 25 May. This result pushed Rizzo/Lok (#44) into second place and Japanese driver Nakaya (#10) into third place for group A respectively. For Group B, China prevailed once more as Zhang Zhen Dong and Xu Peng Kai (#7) claimed first place. The winning teams from both groups rejoiced with overwhelming joy as they were awarded prestigious trophies amidst the cheering crowd.
On Sunday, crowds emerged once again into the stands during a warm and misty Shanghai morning, where the raging Bull filled the renowned venue as the second race brought the debut of the Super Trofeo Asia Series 2013 to a well-formed end. Saturday’s runners up team Rizzo/Lok (#44) applied all determination and seized first place in group A. Taiwanese team Chao/Lin (#38), raced ahead from 10th starting grid to first position in the early minutes of the race, but they were shortly taken over by Nakaya (#10) and Rizzo/Lok (#44) who played a game of cat-and-mouse for the rest of the race.
In group B, with relentless grit Chou/Masahiko (#24) from Taiwan and Japan, who had maintained a consistent lead throughout the race, put their team in the first place beating the round 1 Champions Xu/Zhang (#7) from China who got off to an unexpected start as they sat second to last for much of the first half of the race. In third place, and ascending onto the podium for the first time in the Super Trofeo Asia Series, was Taiwanese gentleman driver Han Lin (#36). This notable and new found glory from Han Lin stands as a testament not only to the developing skills of each driver, but the significant potential amongst all the competing drivers.
“This race brings a whole new level of excitement into competitive racing, because Super Trofeo is so much more than motorsport” said Board Member, Director Research and Development for Lamborghini, Maurizio Reggiani. “Lamborghini represents an uncompromising lifestyle that exudes passion and extraordinary measures of fun, and that’s reflected in the eyes of every participant driver.” Alain Delamuraz, Vice President and Head of Marketing at Blancpain – the official timekeeper for Super Trofeo, said, “This second year of Super Trofeo in Asia symbolizes the horizon for which consistent quality, heightened innovation and prestigious workmanship are so elegantly integrated into modern motorsports.”
Teams had assembled on Friday for a practice session to harvest preparations for the days that lay ahead. Following the practice session were the Qualifying races which determined the two groups of champion drivers. With the odds of the race founded predominantly on the qualifying race results, champions Rizzo/Lok (#44) from 2012 Super Trofeo Asia Series stood as the clear favourites of the series’ first race. Expectations to see them claim the first win in the debut race crumbled in the dying minutes as new teams trumped the leaderboard to culminate the race with even more astonishment and excitement.
Showing their support throughout the weekend from within the pit room, garage and VIP lounge were the close friends and families of the competing drivers. Guests in the VIP lounge enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle experience as they were engulfed with the delights of Italian food and exclusive surroundings that simply radiated with the allure of Lamborghini.
This race re-opened the world of competitive gentlemen driving to the Asian world once more. The next stop will take place on June 28-30 in Sepang, Malaysia, where a new environment and tropical climate will hold what will no doubt be another extraordinary round of ultimate life style experience from Lamborghini.
Source : CarDekho - Racing Bulls ignite the inaugural race in Shanghai
