Last year, the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series made history, having started their 2012 season at Sepang International Circuit for its inaugural season. This year, the Super Trofeo cars made their ways to Sepang once more, after having started the 2013 season in Shanghai. The race series also added heat and excitement to the weekend, having coincided with the Malaysian Super Series (MSS).
This race brings Super Trofeo to a whole new level of diversity, welcoming two new Malaysian teams, the celebrated actor and singer Ryu Si-won from Korea, and for the first time ever two female competitors, Rally Marina Sa from Indonesia and Mika Kagoshima from Japan. Gentlemen drivers from Indonesia, who joined the race in four different cars, brought further thrills to the series. Under tropical conditions and a track proceeded by name, gentlemen drivers entered the nerve-racking heat and blistering track features of the world renowned Sepang International Circuit.
The assembled press and media present were also introduced to Squadra Corse, essentially what was Lamborghini’s new motorsport division. Squadra Corse is a new specialist team within Lamborghini’s R&D department that is dedicated to motorsports. Under its wings are the Super Trofeo series, and a customer driving program dubbed Esperienza. While the Esperienza program offers driving courses on both track and ice, the Super Trofeo series caters to enthusiasts who seek thrills in the world of motorsports. Squadra Corse’s next focus will be on GT3 racing, with a Gallardo based race-car, set to make a return to international motorsport.
In Race 1 on Saturday, Group A saw an epic performance from Kazushi Kitaura and Hideto Yasuoka (#10) from Japan, whom having climbed the positioning board with a mind for persistence and an eye on the podium, won them a well-deserved first place. Home representing team Zen Low/Dilantha Malagamuwa (#69) of Malaysia and Sri Lanka triggered emotional excitement as they demonstrated extraordinary determination to finish in second place, after having had a disappointing time in Shanghai. After leading the starting grid following a tremendous best lap time in the qualifying rounds, victors from Shanghai Wiser/Xin (#9) finished third in this exciting first race.
In group B, drivers drifted in and out of pole position in a fierce contest for final victory that saw Andrea Garbagnati (#6) seize the overall victory. Taking to the podium for the very first time in this year’s championship were China’s Zheng Ting and Steven Lin (#66), whose second place victory was followed by Jeff Lu (#38) of Taiwan in third, who also made his glorious debut onto the podium.
Sunday’s Race 2 saw an inspiring race performance from Group A fill the circuit with a gleaming sensation of pride as the champion emerged as Malaysia’s very own Afiq Vazid (#2), whose leading position throughout the majority of the race set uncompromising standards for the other drivers following eagerly behind. Marking their fourth consecutive podium finish in this year’s championship, highly successful team Wiser/Xin (#9) of China made an impressive return to the front to win second place. From Japan, Yakinori Taniguchi (#12) displayed remarkable determination and driving skills that won him third place and indeed his debut victory in the Super Trofeo Asia Series.
In Group B, quenching his continued thirst for success was Andrea Garbagnati, a victory hotly contested for by Xu Peng Kai and Zhang Zhen Dong (#7) from China, whose impressive skills throughout this tournament were justly rewarded with second place.
After an impressive pursuit leading group B for quite some time, Han Lin and Hanss Lin of Taiwan (#36) demonstrated remarkable skills as they came in for a well-earned 3rd place.
Along this complex track inexperienced by many, with five and a half kilometers of generously broad tarmac surfacing and 15 unforgettable turns, the anxiety of contestants was lifted with the 2013 Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo. In addition to its high safety components, firm traction and extraordinary handling abilities, this model enjoys a new aerodynamic kit, which after being severely put to the test, raises the stakes of this year’s series to a whole new level.
On August 09-11, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series makes its way for the first time to Inje, Korea, where in the remote surroundings of the recently established and highly renowned Autopia Circuit will host the next race of this ultimate lifestyle experience. This will be the third event in the 2013 Super Trofeo Asia series, and marks not only the increasing development of Asia’s passion for luxury car racing, but succeeds the platform for uncompromising racing and excitement which drivers can now look forward to with immense enthusiasm. In the meantime, scroll down to view our mega gallery of pics covering the race.
2013 Super Trofeo Asia: Race 1
Pos No Name Nat
1 10 Kazushi Kitaura / Hideto Yasuoka JPN / JPN
2 69 Dilantha Malagamuwa / Zen Low Suan Chuan SRI / MAS
3 9 Max Wiser / Jiang Xin ITA / CHN
4 63 Freddy Setiawan / Tatsuya Kataoka INA / JPN
5 6 Andrea Garbagnati MON
6 2 Afiq Yazid MAS
7 1 Stefano Montesi HKG
8 66 Zheng Tin / Stevin Lin CHN / CHN
9 38 Jeff Lu TPE
10 8 Michael Choi / Max Wong HKG / HKG
11 36 Han Lin / Hanss Lin TPE
12 7 Xu Peng Kai / Zhang Zhen Dong CHN / CHN
13 96 Michael Chua MAS
14 24 Rally Marina Sa / Mika Kagoshima INA / JPN
15 16 Dedy Widiyanto / Yoshiharu Mori INA / JPN
DNF
– 12 Yukinori Taniguchi JPN
– 88 Giorgio Sanna ITA
– 82 Si Won Ryu KOR
2013 Super Trofeo Asia: Race 2
Pos No Name Nat Laps
1 2 Afiq Yazid MAS 22
2 9 Max Wiser / Jiang Xin ITA / CHN 22
3 12 Yukinori Taniguchi JPN 22
4 69 Dilantha Malagamuwa / Zen Low Suan Chuan SRI / MAS 22
5 63 Freddy Setiawan / Tatsuya Kataoka INA / JPN 22
6 10 Kazushi Kitaura / Hideto Yasuoka JPN / JPN 22
7 6 Andrea Garbagnati MON 22
8 1 Stefano Montesi HKG 22
9 7 Xu Peng Kai / Zhang Zhen Dong CHN / CHN 22
10 36 Han Lin / Hanss Lin TPE / TPE 22
11 66 Zheng Tin / Stevin Lin CHN / CHN 22
12 8 Michael Choi / Max Wong HKG / HKG 22
13 24 Rally Marina Sa / Mika Kagoshima INA / JPN 22
14 96 Michael Chua MAS 22
15 16 Dedy Widiyanto / Yoshiharu Mori INA / JPN 21
DNF
– 88 Giorgio Sanna ITA 13
– 38 Jeff Lu TPE 6
– 82 Si Won Ryu KOR
