FIGHTING BULLS IN BURIRAM RACE FOR PACKED STANDS AT THE THIRD STOP OF THE LAMBORGHINI BLANCPAIN SUPER TROFEO 2016
Buriram, Thailand. (July 24, 2016).– The second day of Lamborghini racing got underway in Thailand today at Buriram’s beautiful new International Circuit. With the temperature at the track heating up, racers took full advantage of available traction and went all out, delighting crowds of spectators in attendance at the third stop of this season’s thrilling Asia series. This year marks the first time the series has visited the Kingdom of Thailand, but judging by the reception from guest and fans, likely will not be the last.
Thailand has a vibrant and growing motorsports culture, which will only strengthen with the development of the new circuit in Buriram. Lamborghini is deeply committed to raising the profile of motorsports in the region and creating exclusive opportunities for new drivers to get involved with the sport. 2016 sees the introduction of a new driver class to the series, the Lamborghini Cup Class, intended for gentleman drivers and rookies to compete together on a level and measure their progress from beginner to amateur level and beyond in GT racecars.
The qualifying session for race two saw Malaysian / Italian duo Zen Low and Max Wiser put in a fantastic performance, earning them a place at the front of the grid. Japanese teams made up the second and third spots, with Toshiyuki Ochiai and Malaysian Afiq Yazid followed by Yudai Uchida and Jono Lester of New Zealand. In the AM class, Indonesian driver Andrew Haryanto was first on the grid, followed by Vincent Wong of Hong Kong and Sanghwi Yoon of Korea in second, with George Chou and Samson Chan from Taiwan and Hong Kong respectively in third.
Having been set back on the grid after qualifying in sixth, Sri Lankan Dilantha Malagamuwa and Indian teammate Armaan Ebrahim made an aggressive start at the green light, quickly making their way past both Haryanto, Wong and Yoon to take fourth position.
By lap 6, Malagamuwa and Ebrahim had continued to push up into third, meanwhile Low and Wiser were forced to relinquish pole due to an on-form Yazid and Ochiai. At the same time, Uchida and Lester slipped into seventh, passed by Haryanto, Wong and Yoon, Chun Hua Chen and Yen Chien Lee from from Taiwai. Not to be outdone by amateur drivers, Uchida and Lester fought hard over the next few laps to reclaim their place.
By lap 16 the tables had turned once more, with Chen and Lee now in third followed by Wong and Yoon in fourth and Chou and Chan in fifth. Having fallen right down to seventh, Malagamuwa and Ebrahim began to claw their way back up the ranking, overtaking Haryanto and over the next few laps, putting in a thrilling performance which left them in second by the 25th lap. By this time, Uchida and Lester had also steadily climbed back up the ranking into third, pushing Low and Wiser into fourth overall.
At race end in the Lamborghini Cup Class, new drivers Chen and Lee took first, with Supachai Weeraborwornpong taking second in a reversal of yesterday’s results. Overall, Ochiai and Yazid finished in pole, followed by Malagamuwa and Ebrahim in second, with Uchida and Lester in third. In the AM class, Andrew Haryanto placed first, followed by Wong and Yoon in second with Chou and Chan in third.
After an action packed race weekend, drivers and teams now set their sights on the iconic Malaysian track, Sepang International Circuit, set to host the next round of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia series on August 13th and 14th. Don’t miss the excitement!
Race 2 Overall and PRO-AM Raking
- 1st Ochiai / A. Yazid.
- 2nd D. Malagamuwa / A Ebrahim.
- 3rd Y. Uchida / J. Lester.
Race 2 AM Ranking
- 1st A. Haryanto.
- 2nd V. Wong / S. Yoon.
- 3rd G. Chou/ S.Chan.
Text and photograph by: Lamborghini
