KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG) has placed Asia on the top step of the podium at the Circuit of The Americas after clinching their first LMP2 victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The Hong Kong-based squad’s maiden outing in Austin witnessed Richard Bradley, Matt Howson and Tsugio Matsuda deliver outstanding stints in the Dunlop-shod #47 Oreca 03R – Nissan. In tricky circuit conditions, the team fought a gripping battle for the LMP2 win throughout the dramatic six-hour round on Saturday evening.
The team consistently finished in the top three during the free practice sessions, which were held in varying track conditions due to the changeable weather at CoTA. The World Championship’s 25-minute qualifying run on Friday evening saw Bradley and Matsuda place the #47 LMP2 in second position, after setting a four-lap average of 1:56.371.
The opening lap of the 6 Hours of CoTA saw Bradley get off to a superb start and grab the LMP2 lead from G-Drive Racing’s Olivier Pla by the first corner. A tight battle then ensued between the British driver and Extreme Speed Motorsport’s Ryan Dalziel for several laps, with Pla trailing close behind.
Dark clouds loomed over the circuit as the race entered its second hour mark. Now running in second position, Bradley made it back to the pit and completed a 46-lap stint before handing the car over to Howson. Meanwhile, multiple cars began to aquaplane due to the torrential conditions, triggering a 55-minute red flag period. The race resumed behind the safety car with the #47 LMP2 in third position.
Howson steadily climbed up the leaderboard and regained the LMP2 lead in the race’s third hour despite difficult circuit conditions. The British driver continued to set impressive lap times and established a comfortable advantage before Matsuda took over driving duties in the final hours of the race.
The #47 Oreca 03R -Nissan rejoined the race in second position with Matsuda set on challenging SMP Racing’s Maurizio Mediani for the lead. The Japanese driver was just inches from Mediani’s tail when he lost control of the car and spun off track. With less than two hours remaining on the clock, Matsuda recovered and went on to take the lead from opposition, which he maintained until the chequered flag dropped.
Richard Bradley: “I’m very happy and proud to have won the American round of the World Endurance Championship. It was a great team effort and a result of a lot of hard work that has finally paid off. To win a race in our first full season of competition is very special and now puts us in a position where we can look to winning the championship. I can’t wait for the next round at Fuji!”
Matt Howson: “I’m absolutely on top of the world after taking our first LMP2 win in FIA WEC. We’ve been aiming for the win all season, but the class is very close and a lot can go wrong in six hours. To deliver that win at CoTA in crazy conditions is a great feeling. It puts us back in the championship fight, and shows our rivals we mean business. A huge thank you to all at KCMG for giving us the car and strategy to win. Roll on Fuji!”
Tsugio Matsuda: “It was a very tough race from start to finish, which makes this win more meaningful for the team. Richard and Matt delivered strong stints, giving the team the advantage we needed despite the trying circuit conditions. It was a shame that I spun out while trying to get in front of the ESM car and had to fight hard to regain the lead. I’m happy that all the hard work paid off. I’d like to thank everyone in the team for doing an excellent job throughout the weekend and of course, to Paul Ip who gave me this opportunity. It was definitely a great experience.”
Paul Ip, KCMG Managing Director: “It has been our goal to place Asia on the top step of the podium since we started our LMP2 campaign in the World Championship. To claim this maiden WEC victory at the Circuit of The Americas is clearly another milestone set for the team and I’m confident that this win is the first of many. I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who has been a part of this success, especially our technical partners, Oreca and Dunlop. The entire team has done an outstanding job and we’re set to carry over this strong form in WEC’s next round in Fuji next month.”
KCMG heads to FIA WEC’s fifth round in Japan in third place with 62 points in the LMP2 Team Classification. To know more information about the FIA World Endurance Championship, please visit: www.fiawec.com
For more information about KCMG please visit www.kcmg.com.hk. To keep track of all the latest updates ‘Like’ KCMG’s Facebook page or follow @KCMotorgroup on Twitter and Instagram.
© David Lord
