Lamborghini's new Asia Series spun off its Super Trofeo
format kicked off at the Sepang International Circuit
in Malaysia at the weekend. Into its fourth year in
Europe, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo in Asia will now
provide a platform for gentlemen drivers, entering
individually or in teams of two, to compete at the wheel
of the bespoke Lamborghini Super Trofeo race car in what
the sports car maker dubs one of the world’s fastest
one-make series.
With 18 teams from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand,
Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan, the opening weekend of the
Asia Series saw the brand’s race cars showcased in two
competitive races.
Crowds of spectators watched the Super Trofeo teams
follow the format of a 50-minute practice session
providing precious time to get accustomed to the track,
before a 35-minute qualifying session and two official
races each 50 minutes long. A compulsory driver change
window of ten minutes in both races adds to the
excitement.
This year’s Asia Series complements the European
Lamborghini Blancpain SuperTrofeo series, now in its
fourth season. In Asia, the series visits some of Asia’s
highest-standard international circuits including Sepang,
Fuji, Ordos, Zhuhai, Penbay and concluding in Shanghai
for November’s grand finale.
“The Super Trofeo Asia Series is an important milestone
for our company,” said Lamborghini President and CEO
Stephan Winkelmann. “Lamborghini is already well-known
in the region for its iconic supercars, and now we are
also sharing our passion for motorsports with other
enthusiasts across Asia. We are also delighted to be
joined by such an international group of gentleman
drivers, and we look forward to following them
throughout the series as they experience Lamborghini in
its most extreme form.”
Mr. Delamuraz, Vice President and Head of Marketing of
Blancpain, the series' sponsor, said: “Over the past
several years, Blancpain has been increasing its
presence in Asia. We are really excited to launch a
Super Trofeo series in Asia this year. This new concept,
similar to the Super Trofeo in Europe, will allow
passionate motorsport lovers to race on Asia’s most
prestigious racetracks! For Blancpain and Lamborghini,
this project is the result of mature reflection, based
on a three-year partnership in Europe as well as on our
knowledge of our local client’s expectations.”
The series’ debut in Sepang was held alongside the
Malaysian Super Series. Other major race events will
partner the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo in
subsequent race meetings such as Formula Nippon in
Japan, the Audi Pandelta Race in Zhuhai, and culminating
in a big season finale in Shanghai in November with a
Group final: Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo, Audi R8
LMS Cup, VW Scirocco Cup Asia and Porsche Cup Asia.
A lightweight version of the road-going Gallardo LP
560-4, the Super Trofeo race car comes complete with a
reworked chassis and a power output of 419 kW from its
V10 engine. The race car features Lamborghini’s
permanent four-wheel drive and comes equipped with
leading safety features, including an FIA FT-3 fuel
cell, a full roll cage, a new Brembo Racing brake system
and compatibility with HANS safety devices.
The Super Trofeo’s bodyshell is not only light but also
safe. Boasting torsional stiffness, it aims to maintain
outstanding handling. Carbon-fibre composite feature in
the bodyshell’s construction, forming the front skirt,
splitter, rear bonnet, front compartment cover, side
skirts, diffuser, rear skirt and large rear wing. The
rear wing can also be repositioned to suit the
requirements of different race tracks and environments,
while all the race car’s windscreens and windows are
made from Makrolon lightweight hi-tech polycarbonate.
Complementing its carbon-fibre black Alcantara panels,
the Super Trofeo comes equipped with one low-mounted
racing bucket seat, produced in light and stiff Kevlar
carbon-fibre composite, providing perfect ergonomic
support to the driver, who is then secured into position
by a six-point racing harness.
Results - Round 1, Sepang
Race 1
1. Liu / Rizzo (#37), China
2. Wiser (#66), China
3. Charlz (#99), Singapore
4. Shigeru / Hideto (#10), Japan
5. Chan / Tse (#88), Hong Kong
6. Chou / Chen (#6), China
7. Chen (#3), China
8. Choi / Lau (#8), Hong Kong
9. Henry / Se (#22), China
10. Motoaki (#12), Japan
11. Cheng / Lok (#2), China
12. Wong / Hui (#23), Thailand
13. Chao / Lin (#38), Taiwan
14. Kai / Dong (#7), China
15. Ramli (#9), Malaysia
16. Lu (#36), Taiwan
17. Yeo (#11), China
18. Lu (#1), China
Race 2
1. Liu / Rizzo (#37), China
2. Charlz (#99), Singapore
3. Wiser (#66), China
4. Chan / Tse (#88), Hong Kong
5. Shigeru / Hideto (#10), Japan
6. Xu / Zhang (#7), China
7. Chou / Chen (#6), China
8. Chen (#3), China
9. Motoaki (#12), Japan
10. Wong / Hui (#24), Thailand
11. Chao / Lin (#38), Taiwan
12. Henry / Se (#22), China
13. Cheng / Lok (#2), China
14. Choi / Lau (#8), Hong Kong
15. Lu (#36), Taiwan
16. Yeo (#11), China
17. Ramli (#9), Malaysia
18. Lu (#1), China
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