KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG) is delighted to announce that team Founder Paul Ip is set to return to racing ways and will compete in the Inter Proto Series’ (IPS) fifth and sixth rounds at Fuji Speedway on October 6-7.
In this rare motorsport outing, Ip will drive the “Kuruma” – a special racing car exclusively produced for IPS – against other gentlemen drivers. Joining him in Fuji is none other than Japanese racing superstar Kamui Kobayashi, who will drive KCMG’s Pro Class entry.
Apart from demonstrating KCMG’s versatility through their diverse racing campaigns, Ip and Kobayashi’s participation in the event also aims to help reinforce the unique and independent motorsport platform established by another Japanese racing icon Masanori Sekiya for all Japan-based drivers and local motorsport aficionados.
Ip has had his share of valuable racing experience in Japan when he competed in the full season of Porsche Carrera Cup Japan from 2014 to 2016. He also drove in the FIA F4 Japanese Championship in 2015 and sealed a GT-Am victory for KCMG in the 2015-2016 season of Asian Le Mans’ Fuji round.
Aside from his Toyota LMP1 and Super GT500 duties, Kobayashi has also been a significant part of KCMG since 2017 and currently drives the Toyota-powered #18 Dallara SF14 in Super Formula. Just recently, he scored carrozzeria Team KCMG a podium finish after a thrilling, hard fought battle at Okayama International Circuit.
Paul Ip: “I’m glad to once again race in Japan and to be part of the Inter Proto Series, which was founded and organized by our good friend Masanori Sekiya. While KCMG have always maintained its strong ties and presence in the Japanese racing scene, we are also constantly looking for new platforms that help promote motorsport throughout the region. I’m also looking forward to teaming up with Kamui and I hope that we’ll be able to provide fans with a good race at Fuji.”
Kamui Kobayashi: “I’ve been racing under the KCMG banner for Super Formula since 2017 and had a chance to discuss plans to race alongside Paul before, so I’m happy that this plan will finally come into fruition when we compete in IPS at Fuji next month. I’m grateful for this opportunity. This will be my first time to drive the IPS Kuruma car, so it will be a new and interesting challenge for me. I’m really looking forward to this event and to represent KCMG with Paul in a different Japanese racing series.”
Ryuji Doi, KCMG Head of Motorsport: “We’re very happy to announce that our Team Founder Paul Ip will return to Inter Proto Series’ grid early next month and will share his car with KCMG’s Super Formula pilot, Kamui Kobayashi. I hope that both drivers will enjoy this special outing and show strong performances in the Kuruma in front of all race fans, especially our supporters who will attend the event in Fuji.”
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 and Instagram.
