The Grid.co.uk the national & club motor racing website - est1998
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The series can be followed on www.astonmartin-asiacup.com
Aston Martin Asia Cup Series Partner is one of the most recognised names in international motorsport, Michelin. All drivers will have the advantage of racing on cutting-edge tyres supplied by series partner Michelin. The consistent performance and leading technology of Michelin tyres constantly improve the performance of many teams in international motorsport, and the Aston Martin Asia Cup will benefit greatly from the company’s vast expertise and impressive motorsport pedigree. The series also welcomes other valuable partners. Dura, creators of exceptional modular cabinets and accessories for professional workshops and residential garages. Powerbuilt professional hand tools, and Racing Logistics International also join AMAC as partners. The partnerships with these leading companies reflects the professional and innovative approach of the Aston Martin brand.
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KOTA SASAKI BECOMES 2008 ASTON MARTIN ASIA CUP CHAMPION
The Aston Martin Asia Cup joined forces with the Asian GT3 race to provide spectators with a bumper grid at the Southern China circuit. As well as the regular Championship contenders three guest drivers from Japan joined AMAC for the final races including the series' first female driver, Keiko Ihara. Sasaki took two poles, two fastest laps and two race wins to dominantly seal his crown, but despite his clean sweep there was plenty of drama in both races which were hard and fairly fought. Fellow title contender Dilantha Malagamuwa (Sri Lanka) took 2nd in both races. Both Malagamuwa and Sasaki had to battle past an inspired Tunku Hammam (Malaysia) in Race Two as he used an incident between two of the GT3 cars to his advantage to nip into the AMAC lead. Hammam eventually took two 3rd place finishes for his best result of the season. With his outstanding season record of seven wins in the ten round season, Kota Sasaki has made motorsport history as the first ever Champion of a one-make Aston Martin series. In taking the AMAC title Sasaki is rewarded with a fully-sponsored season in a Vantage N24 in the 2009 FIA GT4 Championship. Dilantha Malagamuwa took two wins this season on his way to 2nd in the Championship with Singapore's Mel Choo taking a single win at Sepang on his way to 3rd overall. America's Nasrat Muzzayin was awarded the AMAC Rookie of the Year award. The series which raced over ten rounds, including prestigious support slots to the Formula One Singapore and Chinese Grand Prixs, has been wonderfully supported by Michelin, Dura, Powerbuilt and Racing Logistics International to which the AMAC organisers and team extend their thanks. In the world's first ever one-make Aston Martin series it has been a season of great excitement and highlighted a successful marriage between the iconic British marque and the increasingly dynamic motorsports scene in Asia. Series director Ian Geekie summed the season up "The first season of the Aston Martin Asia Cup has been a great success and demonstrated an enviable series of competitive racing. Kota's achievement has been exceptional in a well rounded and eager field in which we have also welcomed a number of superb guest drivers. The hard work of the team and the support of our partners, the drivers and the spectators has been greatly encouraging and we look forward to an even bigger and better season in 2009!".
SASAKI TRIUMPHS IN ASTON MARTIN ASIA CUP SHANGHAI SPRINT
Sasaki was in pole position for the 10 lap race followed on the grid by Danny Watts (Great Britain), Ringo Chong (Singapore) and his Championship title rival Dilantha Malagamuwa (Sri Lanka) respectively. With Sasaki and Malagamuwa coming to Shanghai in joint lead of the Championship, today’s race was an all important stepping stone to the final double header event due in November. Everyone made a good, clean start with Sasaki able to hold on to the lead from a storming Danny Watts in the GR Asia/Noble Group car. As they battled for the lead Chong and Malagamuwa were having their own fight for third place. On the second lap Malagamuwa’s race came to a bitter end when he found the gravel whilst making a move on Chong. With his car brushing the barrier it was the end of his day’s campaign. Further down the pack there were epic scraps between Mel Choo (Singapore) and Tunku Hammam (Malaysia) and whilst the two swapped places it was to be Choo who made the final move stick. George Ong (Singapore) and Philip Ma (Hong Kong) were also locked in a nose to tail battle. Philip Ma was to take the honour of being top HongKonger home in eighth place whilst coming home in sixth Taipei’s Kuo-Tong Hsieh was the top Chinese regional finisher. There were impressive debuts from newcomers including Jean-Marc Merlin of France who put in a solid performance for seventh. But at the chequered flag the loudest cheers were for Sasaki taking his third win in a row and fifth win of the season, pushed all the way in Shanghai by Danny Watts. With his Championship rival leaving Shanghai with no points, Sasaki opens up a confident 16 point lead at the top of the Championship table. Amongst the many onlookers, the Aston Martin Asia Cup was pleased to welcome as their guest Robin Brundle, Managing Director of Aston Martin Racing.
"It has been a great pleasure to welcome Robin [Brundle] to this event to see first hand the great strides we are making in this the world’s first ever one-make Aston Martin series. The cars have certainly captured the imagination of the drivers and spectators alike".
Aston Martin Asia Cup – Round 8 Result Shanghai, China
Fastest Lap: No 60 Danny Watts GR Asia 2:18.451 on lap 4 (141.736kph)
ASTON MARTIN ASIA CUP KICKS OFF THE SINGAPORE GP IN STYLE Sasaki Takes A Hard Fought Victory As Chong Joins Him On The Podium To Make Singaporean Motorsport History.
The Aston Martin Asia Cup revelled in the opportunity to kick start a historic day in motorsport when it took to the track as the opening support race for the 2008 Singtel Formula One Singapore Grand Prix. The previous day saw Japan’s Kota Sasaki take pole position just ahead of Britain’s Danny Watts. Third on the grid was AMAC’s guest driver, former German F1 driver Christian Danner with Singapore’s own Ringo Chong in fourth. Indeed, the home crowd had five local drivers to cheer on in the 10 lap race which was to be full of action and incident. The challenges of the new track were ably met by the Aston Martin Asia Cup team along with their tyre partners Michelin who once more provided exceptional support. With the threatened thunder showers staying away from the Marina Bay circuit, the race got on the way at 3.30pm local time and saw Watts make an inspired start to take the lead with pole man Sasaki slotting closely into second place. Followed by Danner and Chong the leading pack remained tight over this exciting new track. On Lap 3 Watts clipped a kerb, launching him into the wall and sadly ending his race, thankfully unscathed. With Sasaki picking up the lead it wasn’t to be an easy race for the Team Reckless driver, who came into the event 5 points behind Championship leader Dilantha Malagamuwa, as Danner used his extensive experience to push him all the way. Elsewhere in the field there were battles aplenty but with David Lai hitting the wall and left stranded in the track on Lap 6 it was time for the one safety car period of the race which closed the field up. When the race went green again there was to be more action with Kuo Tong Hsieh (Taiwan) making contact with the back of Mel Choo’s car. Hsieh was airborne with a wheel ripped from the car and making its own way down the slip road! Singaporean Choo, much to the relief of the local spectators, was able to continue. Out front despite his best efforts Danner could not pass Kota Sasaki who took an ecstatic and historic win in front of an appreciative audience. Taking third an equally thrilled Ringo Chong made motorsport history as the first Singaporean driver to finish on the podium at the Singapore GP event and indeed, the only Singaporean driver to have such an honour over the weekend. There was further cause for local celebration with Mel Choo finishing in fifth and young up and coming Singaporean driver Hafiz Koh taking a strong sixth. In terms of the Championship, Malagamuwa’s fourth place finish has allowed him to stay at the top of the Championship table but now just 1 point ahead of Kota Sasaki. Series Director Ian Geekie praised the new circuit and event. "It has been a superb event" said Geekie. "What better place to drive an Aston Martin, famed for its beauty, style and performance, than in this marvellous and electrifying setting? It has challenged the drivers who have thoroughly enjoyed the event and entertained the crowds on the start of this very special day for motorsport. We are also thrilled that we have been able to provide the local spectators with plenty to shout about! "My thanks extend to the Singapore GP organisers, our Aston Martin Asia Cup team, Michelin, Dura, Powerbuilt and Racing Logistics International all of whom have worked hard to ensure this has been a memorial moment in our inaugural Championship year."
1 Kota Sasaki (Japan) 2 Christian Danner (Germany) 3 Ringo Chong (Singapore) 4 Dilantha Malagamuwa (Sri Lanka) 5 Mel Choo (Singapore) 6 Hafiz Koh (Singapore)
DOUBLE JOY FOR KOTA SASAKI AS THE ASTON MARTIN ASIA CUP VISITS MALAYSIA
Sasaki leads the field in the Team Reckless Aston Martin N24. It was a double victory for Japan’s Team Reckless driver, Kota Sasaki as the Aston Martin Asia Cup visited Sepang, Malaysia for its third and fourth rounds. Supporting the Japanese Super GT event and in front of a packed house, the Aston Martin Asia Cup welcomed new drivers Dean Grant (Australia), Eric Yeo (Malaysia), Stewart Seatter (Scotland), Adrian De Silva (Malaysia) and Ryan Marsden (Great Britain). Qualifying In hot and humid conditions, Sasaki and double winner from the opening rounds, Dilantha Malagamuwa battled for pole position with the honour going to Sasaki with a late flying lap. Australians Mark Eddy and Dean Grant took third and fourth respectively whilst newcomer Eric Yeo, substituting for Tunku Hammam, took fifth. Qualifying Result:
Race 1Sweltering heat welcomed the drivers onto the grid for the first race of the weekend which saw Sasaki take a lights to flag victory in a strong display. Sasaki was pushed in the early stages by Malagamuwa who secured second despite a quick off track excursion at turn 6 which allowed Sasaki to open up a healthy gap. The final step of the podium was taken by Mark Eddy, echoing his results from the opening rounds last month. Eddy had led a storming pack of chasing cars including AMAC newcomer and fellow Australian Dean Grant, Eric Yeo, Marc Cini and Stewart Seatter. Kuo Tong Hsieh of Taiwan was making great progress despite lacking track time compared to his rivals after flight delays say him arrive later at Sepang than planned with George Ong putting in an equally spirited drive. Race One Result:
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Team
Reckless driver Kota Sasaki from 
Team
Reckless driver Kota Sasaki has placed himself in an enviable
Championship position after taking victory in Round 8 of the Aston
Martin Asia Cup, which raced in support of the 2008 Formula One Sinopec
Chinese Grand Prix.
"It
has been a superb weekend of racing" said AMAC Series Director Ian
Geekie afterwards. "There were fantastic battles throughout the field
and Kota drove a storming race under great pressure from Danny to take
his hat-trick run of victories. I am certain though Dilantha will be
back fighting harder than ever in the final rounds for the title, an
amazing showdown is on the cards!.
Aston
Martin Asia Cup – Round 7, Singapore Result
The
Aston Martin Asia Cup (AMAC) roared into life at the weekend staging its
opening rounds at the Shanghai International Circuit, China. The
weekend’s two races proved dramatic and action packed much to the
excitement of the large crowd who saw Sri Lanka’s Dilantha Malagamuwa
take a double victory. 