KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG) rounded off a strong season in Asian Le Mans Series after running a successful GTAm campaign with their Porsche GT3 Cup car. After clinching four victories out of four races, the Hong Kong-based outfit garnered the class title along with the Drivers Championship, which was awarded to KCMG’s very own Paul Ip.
The Asian premier sportscar endurance racing’s finale was held at Sepang International Circuit over the weekend. The 3 Hours of Malaysia witnessed KCMG Formula Masters driver Yuan Bo and 2013 Formula Masters Macau GP Challenge winner Akash Nandy share driving duties with Ip as they faced new opposition from Team Starspeed Racing’s Lamborghini Huracan.
Despite the Huracan’s intimidating pace during Saturday’s free practice sessions, Yuan Bo went on to take pole position during Asian Le Mans’ qualifying run at Sepang’s 5.543km track. Unfazed by their opponent’s blistering speed, Ip, Bo and Nandy went on to deliver strong stints in the #51 Porsche and managed to maintain a commanding lead throughout the three-hour round. KCMG crossed the finish line first in class and 15th overall – completing an outstanding season with four victories in the GTAm category.
Apart from Paul Ip receiving the GTAm Drivers Championship title for KCMG, German driver and teammate Christian Ried was awarded second place honours in the drivers standing as the season culminated at Sepang. After an outstanding year in motorsport, which highlights an LMP2 victory at Le Mans and Vice Championship in FIA WEC, the Hong Kong-based squad graciously adds the Asian Le Mans GTAm crown to its growing list of achievements in sports car endurance racing.
Paul Ip: “It’s been an excellent season in Asian Le Mans and we’re pleased to conclude our GTAM programme with the class title. The finale at Sepang has been truly an enjoyable weekend for everyone. The team has worked hard throughout the season and I’d like to commend everyone! My special thanks goes to each of the crew members, my co-drivers Christian Ried, Dan Wells, Martin Rump, Yuan Bo and Akash Nandy, and most of all to our fans who supported us at Fuji, Buriram and Sepang!”
Yuan Bo: “It was a fantastic weekend racing with KCMG and the Asian Le Mans finale at Sepang was interesting as we faced a new competitor in the #77 Lamborghini. The team once again did a great job in providing us with a strong package and I’m happy that I was able to contribute to the team’s success this season. Thank you to Paul Ip and John O’Hara for this opportunity, more so, to our fans who supported us throughout the season.”
Akash Nandy: “It was great being back with KCMG and back competing in the Asian Le Mans Series, it reminded of great memories and the last I race for KCMG we had won the Macau Grand Prix, so it felt really special coming back and winning again with them. I want to thank KCMG for giving me the opportunity and also my family and people behind the scenes for their endless support.”
John O’Hara, KCMG Asian Le Mans Series Team Manager: “We’re delighted to sign off the season with outstanding results and to add the GTAm title to KCMG’s list of milestones. I’d like to commend our crew and drivers who all did a great job in the four Asian Le Mans events that we participated in – each and everyone in the team contributed to our overall success this season.”
To find out more about Asian Le Mans Series, please visit www.asianlemansseries.com
For more information about KCMG, visit www.kcmg.com.hk. To keep track of latest updates, please like KCMG’s Facebook page or follow @KCMotorgroup on Twitter.
Image by: Jun Qian
