Weekend Racing Roundup, 5.18

While most people focused on the Nürburgring 24 Hours, the European Le Mans Series Four Hours of Imola or the Pirelli World Challenge round at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, the 2015 GT Asia Series got underway in Korea this weekend. A quick wrap-up of the first two races of the season form this week’s Weekend Racing Roundup.

GT Asia Series
Craft-Bamboo driver Richard Lyons qualified his Aston Martin Vantage on pole for race one, but was unable to pull away at the start. Until the mandatory pit stops Lyons battled with Clearwater Ferrari driver James Calado and FFF Racing Team by ACM driver Andrea Caldarelli.

Calado and Lyons made late stops, which allowed their teammates Mok and Yu to take first and second. The pair battled for the lead, but as they fought they slowed down, allowing Anthony Liu to close the gap. Liu eventually caught both Yu and Mok and claimed BBT’s third win in Korea.

In race two Jonathan Venter started from pole, while reigning champion Mok crashed out of the race in turn 1. Venter took a three-second lead on the opening lap, before the safety car was deployed and his lead was reduced again.

Once the safety car was gone Venter pulled away again, before handing over the Aston Martin to Darryl O’Young. O’Young was on the pace right away, increased his lead and won, while behind him Rizzo (Ferrari), Sawa (Bentley) and Lyons battled for second. Eventually the BBT Ferrari took second place, ahead of the Bentley, while Lyons suffered from technical problems.

Race 1 – 1. BBT Team (Liu/Rizzo) Ferrari, 2. Clearwater Racing (Mok/Calado) Ferrari, 3. Craft-Bamboo Racing (Yu/Lyons) Aston Martin.

Race 2 – 1. Craft-Bamboo Racing (O’Young/Venter) Aston Martin, 2. BBT Team (Liu/Rizzo) Ferrari, 3. Absolute Racing (Fong/Sawa) Bentley.