The GT3 Asia Challenge starts its 2009 season at the Shanghai International Circuit, March 27-29.  Twenty of the top drivers in Asia will compete in the GT3 and GT4 race cars, from manufacturers Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin. 

Eddie Yau wins Race 1 in Shanghai, but Tunku Sulong takes Race 2

The Lamborghinis of Eddie Yau and his team-mate Sam Yau lined up on the front row  for the Race 1 of GT3 Asia Challenge, whilst Francis Tjia and Wayne Shen in two Ferraris were on the second row.   Siu brothers Tit Lung and Yuk Lung were on the third row with another two Lamborghinis.

Race 1 was held on Sunday morning, under cloudy but dry conditions.  Eddie got off cleanly, but Sam was under pressure by Wayne into the first corner. Luckily, most drivers negotiated the first few corners without any major incidents.   By the end of the first lap, Eddie and Sam managed to pull away from the pack, and comfortably remained unchallenged during the whole race.  Coming in second, Sam managed to close into Eddie’s car, but there was little chance to overtake given that both cars were identical. 

Tunku Sulong who started from last position, stormed up the grid, and was soon battling hard with Samson Chan for the third spot on the podium.  However, in the heat of the battle, the two cars clashed, and allowed the following pack to pass them.  Third place went to Siu Tit Lung, who benefitted from this clash, and making a clean sweep for Lamborghini.

Race 2 was held on Sunday afternoon, with the race grid based on the final positions from Race 1.  The second race was rolling start format over 15 laps, with the four Lamborghini leading the pack, followed by Ferrari of Francis Tjia and Porsche of Tunku Sulong.  The race start was red flagged, when the Ferrari of Eric Cheung was sent airborne after a touch with Walter Chang, and the Ferrari somersaulted twice before landing on the main straight.  Luckily, Eric was unhurt, although the Ferrari is likely to be scrapped.

With the restart, Eddie managed to hold his lead into the first corner, but Tunku was very quick, and gained several positions to second place by the end of the first lap.  By the second lap, it was obvious that the success ballast was hurting the two Lamborghini, and Tunku took the lead with little trouble.  Eddie then struggled with his car and slid back down the order, whilst Sam continue the chase, although he was harassed by Wayne Shen.  Further down the grid, there was close racing between Samson Chan, Alan Siu and Francis Tjia for sixth place.  At the end, Tunku won the race with a comfortable 5 sec margin over Sam Yau, bringing big joy to the Malaysian driver

The next race of GT3 Asia Challenge will again be held in Shanghai on May 1-3, the Labour Day holiday weekend in China.