Cheng, Rump, Tan Named Official Audi Sport Asia Drivers

Audi has expanded its pool of official customer racing drivers in Asia with the additions of Cheng Congfu, Martin Rump and Weiron Tan.

The trio join recently-announced Audi Sport Asia driver David Chen in the role, which entails entering “strategic races throughout the season” and offering mentorship to drivers in the single-make Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup.

Cheng and 22-year-old Estonian racer Rump were co-drivers in Blancpain GT Asia last year, sharing an Absolute Racing-entered Audi R8 LMS GT3 in Silver Cup.

The pair took an overall victory at Suzuka on their way to finishing fourth in the drivers’ standings.

Rump, who is a product of the Formula China Masters Series, has also driven Audi GT3 machinery in China GT and the R8 LMS Cup, while Cheng has two previous appearances in the 24 Hours of Le Mans to his name, including one with the Rebellion Racing LMP1 team in 2013.

Tan was a part of Jackie Chan DC Racing’s LMP2 lineup in the FIA World Endurance Championship for the first five races of the 2018-19 ‘Super Season’.

The Malaysian driver took three podiums including a victory in the 6 Hours of Fuji with co-drivers Nabil Jeffri and Jazeman Jaafar, before their program came to an end with the expiration of Sepang International Circuit’s deal to sponsor their car.

“Audi Sport customer racing Asia remains fully committed to the development and competitiveness of motorsport in Asia,” said Martin Kuehl, director of Audi Sport customer racing in China.

“The four drivers represent a fine mix of experience and upcoming talent. Cheng Congfu is a proven Chinese star driver, and his compatriot David Chen is one of the country’s best sports car talents.

“Martin Rump is a winner across multiple championships in Asia. With Weiron Tan, we welcome a new driver to Audi, who is hungry for success and has already shown his pace and race craft at the highest levels.”