ACO rules racing has been looking to establish itself in Asia for many years and, despite successful rounds of the ILMC and now FIA WEC in the region, it is fair to say that they’ve struggled to establish a sustainable formula for a regional Series.
The new for 2013 Asian Le Mans Series was launched with high hopes last year but is again finding the Asian road pretty rocky.
The initial calendar was delayed and reduced, the inclusion of GTE cars in the order attracted no real interest and last weekend we had the extraordinary statement that forced the organisers, albeit briefly, to advise competitors not to travel as there was a dispute amongst Inje circuit stakeholders over ownership and operating rights which saw the AsLMS officials arrive to find locked gates and doors to the complex’s circuit, hotel and condominium.
That situation was resolved by the beginning of the week but the concerns over the AsLMS aren’t over yet.
We currently have an entry of just 11 cars for the opening round, two of which are one make racers and five of which, as of yesterday, had no drivers named for this weekend’s race.
The organisers talk of a substantial boost to the grid at Fuji with around 10 Super GT GT300 cars set to combine with the AsLMS runners, and at least Inje will see plenty of track action with a strong supporting bill including the Audi R8 LMS Cup, Ferrari Challenge and Porche Carrera Cup Asia on the bill.
Here’s hoping for a trouble free weekend for the new Series, if it is to survive its difficult developmental months the racing will need to be very good indeed.
Entry List
LMP2
18 KCMG Morgan Nissan – Nandy, Winslow, Thompson
24 Oak Racing Total Morgan Nissan – Lee, Tung Cheng
GTC (GT3)
007 Craft AMR Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 – Mucke, Yu
37 BBT Lamborghini Gallardo GT3
26 Taisan Ken Endless Porsche 996 GT300 – Mineko, Taniguchi
70 Taisan Ken Endless Ferrari F458 Italia – Kobayashi, Yokomizo
77 AF Corse Ferrari F458 Italia – Bertolini, Rugolo, Wyatt
91 AAI McLaren MP 4-12C GT3
91 AAI McLaren MP 4-12C GT3
One Make
1 Lamborghini Trophy car Lamborghini Gallardo Trofeo
2 Lamborghini Trophy car Lamborghini Gallardo Trofeo
