Mixed fortunes for Audi in Thailand street race
Long-time Audi R8 LMS Cup team B-Quik Racing recorded three podium finishes across three rounds of the Thailand Super Series at the Bangsaen Grand Prix. The TCR Asia Series also featured at the 11th annual street race, however Jasper Thong of Audi Hong Kong’s dreams of a second overall victory ended in heartbreak as he was shunted into the wall in Round 8 while leading. Older brother Shaun Thong had to settle for seventh and sixth in the two rounds as the challenging sun-soaked streets took their toll.
“It’s great to see the dedication of both B-Quik Racing and Audi Hong Kong at this challenging street race. The teams had to work through the night to come back from various set-backs”, said Martin Kuehl, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia. “Congratulations to B-Quik for their podiums. The pace of Audi Hong Kong should give them confidence for the next TCR Asia Series races.”
Thailand Super Series
Three Audi R8 LMS Cup cars were entered into Rounds 3, 4 and 5 of the Thailand Super Series in the GTM+ class, piloted by reigning Audi R8 LMS Cup Masters Cup champion Daniel Bilski, team owner Henk Kiks and 24 year-old Kiwi Shaun Varney. Round 3 started well for the team on Friday 30 June, with Bilski climbing two places to finish second, Kiks third and Varney promoted to fifth after a post-race penalty bumped him one place in class.
Round 4, the next day, saw the team’s fortunes turned on their head. Varney’s race was over before it began following a technical issue on the formation lap. Bilski was running third with just two laps remaining when a race-ending shunt from a competitor forced the former Audi R8 LMS Cup amateur champion into the wall. Kiks brought his Audi R8 LMS Cup car home in sixth in class.
The final race of the triple header weekend saw huge drama on the final lap. Bilski, able to start after his team worked through the night on his car, found himself in a drag race for second place in the dying moments. The rival ahead of him slammed the door shut, forcing the B-Quik driver into the wall and slowing his pace. Kiks, just behind in fourth took full advantage to get by his teammate securing his second top-three finish of the weekend with Bilski able to hold on to finish fourth in class. Varney brought his Cup car home fifth once more.
TCR Asia Series
There was drama right at the start of Round 7 of the TCR Asia Series when a multi-car incident before turn one sucked in almost the entire 16-car field, forcing the whole race into a restart.
Jasper Thong got away brilliantly jumping from his starting position of seventh to fifth on the first lap, eventually bringing his car home in fourth overall, first in the Cup class. However, the 17 year-old’s joy turned to despair as his podium-topping performance was wiped out later due to disqualification after a set-up issue.
Older brother Shaun also faced trying circumstances after contact with another car and the tyre wall dropped him from third to seventh.
Round 8 was even tougher for the youngsters. Jasper Thong – starting in second place – got away like a rocket when the lights went green, immediately gaining the lead. It was a position that he held until lap 10 when his race came to an abrupt halt following a heavy hit from the car behind. The incident saw both competitors crash into the tyre wall with the race eventually curtailed by a red flag. With no time to restart, Jasper had to settle for tenth with his older brother Shaun in sixth.
Related Posts
Motorsports Tragedy At Fox Hill Race In Colombo Sri Lanka →
Sime Darby Racing Team Returns To Compete In The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2024 →
Toyota Gazoo Racing Dominates Safari Rally Kenya for Fourth Consecutive Year →
