Davide Rizzo and Anthony Liu in the #37 Ferrari 488 stormed to victory in Race 2 at Sepang in style, after a clever pit strategy catapulted the duo into the lead.
As with the first race yesterday, the start began with drama, with four cars going off the circuit at the second corner.
The #2 FFF Racing, #66 Vincenzo Sospiri Racing, #91 Fist Team AAI and #99 Craft Bamboo Racing cars all found themselves in the gravel trap, but thankfully were able to rejoin without damage.
Up at the front the battle between the top six cars was intense. The dicing at the top was headlined by Raffaele Marciello in the #999 GruppeM Mercedes-AMG, which had come through from 20th to 5th place just before the pit stops.
Davide Rizzo, sitting in 6th place, pitted first out of the top running cars and this proved a great decision as it released Anthony Liu back out on a clear circuit to build a gap.
Down the order, Mitch Gilbert – like Marciello – went on a charge. His #86 OD Racing Audi – which won the first race – had been sitting just outside the top 10, but by the finish was second after an incredible drive by the Australian.
Marchy Lee and Shaun Thong also had another successful run in the second race. The duo – driving with Audi Honk Kong – came home third after finishing fifth in Race 1.
In the GT4 class, Byron Tong and Eric Piu in the #10 EKS Motorsports Porsche Cayman dominated and held the lead for the entire race.
It was a close finish though, with the winning duo crossing the line just half a second ahead of the second place Craft Bamboo Porsche Cayman of Jean-Marc Merlin and Franck Yu. Hub Auto Racing’s Cayman Clubsport ended the day third.
“It was quite exciting.” Davide Rizzo commented. “I couldn’t wait for the race finish. I knew he could do a good job,” he said referring to his teammate Liu.
“Euphoric.” Liu added, describing his emotions after the race.
The second round of the inaugural Blancpain GT Series Asia season is set to take place at the Chang International Circuit on 20th-21st May.
