Hakkinen and Solomon win for Erebus Motorsport in China

Mika Hakkinen and Matthew Solomon have put together a masterful debut for the Erebus Motorsport and the AMG Customer Sports program in China through a thrilling performance to win today’s 50 minute GT Asia Series race.

The victory is the 10th consecutive win for Erebus Motorsport’s SLS AMG GT3 program, including the Bathurst 12 Hour race back in February.

Hakkinen started the #36 SLS AMG GT3 from sixth placing on the grid. He stormed through to second by the exit of the first corner, followed by team-mate Lance David Arnold from the third placed starting position.

Disaster struck for Arnold eight laps in when he was informed to shut the #63 Gullwing down for safety reasons due to a technical issue the team detected on the car’s telemetry. This triggered a short Safety Car period.

Hakkinen - who was caught behind Kiwi Earl Bamber - pitted the Bathurst 12 Hour winning SLS AMG GT3 to hand over to his 17-year-old apprentice.

The youngster showed the maturity of the two times World Champion himself in using the clear track to his advantage to close the gap to the front runner.

After the leader - Bamber - handed over to his co-driver Samson Chan, the track positioning between the two cars was neutralised.

With eight minutes left remaining, Solomon saw a gap to place the lengthy nose of the flying Gullwing through on Chan and using the 10 stage ABS Braking System in the SLS AMG GT3 to its absolute maximum, got by and into the lead.

From there Solomon was not headed and took the historic first win for the AMG Customer Sports program in China.

Tomorrow, Arnold will be going flat out to make amends for today’s misfortune when he will start on the pole position with Solomon alongside in an all Erebus Motorsport and AMG Customer Sports front row!

The win for Hakkinen - being the first for AMG Customer Sports in China - adds another milestone to his storied international career.

It is the Flying Finn's first race in almost two years (his last in 2011 at Zhuhai). It is his first win since a DTM victory at Mugello in 2007 for Mercedes-Benz.

MIKA HAKKINEN - #36 - FIRST:

“I have to admit the start was a plan B and it worked. I was really focusing on the start to try and make my way forward, it was difficult to make a good start and with the high wings of the GT3 cars it is very challenging to see the lights change, I did a couple of tricks and they worked!

“The first corner was tight, but that is racing and I looked around and I was in second place, I thought brilliant!

“Matthew did a fantastic job when he got into the car. This is a very short race, it isn’t a long race so you have to push all the time and Matthew showed that.

"We had a great racecar and the team did an awesome job."

MATTHEW SOLOMON - #36 - FIRST:

“Mika got away to a great start and handed the car over to me in a wonderful position.

“When I exited the pits there were no other cars around me, so I had to push hard, then I saw the other car come out in front of me and I did everything I could to catch him. I got a good run and went down the inside, we touched a little, he ran a bit wide, but that is racing.

“This is my first win in cars and to do it with Erebus Motorsport and the SLS AMG GT3 and here with Mika is a dream come true.

“We start on the front row again tomorrow, so hopefully we can repeat the result.”

LANCE DAVID ARNOLD - #63 - DNF:

“It is very disappointing and unfortunate that I had to end the race early. I got off to a great start and Mika got a better one, I couldn’t believe it when I saw him get in front of me.

“I was settling into the rhythm of the race when I had to pull over, unfortunately there was a technical issue.

“Our guys asked me to stop for safety reasons. We will get the car back and determine what happened and work to get it right for tomorrow.

“Tomorrow I start from pole position, the first pole position for AMG Customer Sports and Erebus Motorsport in China. The team did a fantastic job to get me into this position.

"I am very excited about this achievement and after today I can guarantee you I will be doing everything to be where Mika and Matthew are today.”

A LIVE STREAM OF TOMORROW'S RACE IS AVAILABLE FROM THE FOLLOWING LOCATION: http://bit.ly/17l2gTx

GT ASIA SERIES WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

All times China time - Australian Daylight Savings time is plus three hours (see in brackets):

Sunday1100-1150 - Race 2 (1400-1450 ADST)

EREBUS MOTORSPORT’S PERFECT 10 FOR AMG CUSTOMER SPORTS:1. Australian GT 2012 Race 1, Sydney Olympic Park - Bernd Schneider2. Australian GT 2012 Race 2, Sydney Olympic Park - Bernd Schneider3. 2013 Bathurst 12 Hour, Mount Panorama - Bernd Schneider, Thomas Jaeger, Alexander Roloff4. Australian GT 2013 Race 1, Clipsal 500 - Craig Baird5. Australian GT 2013 Race 2, Clipsal 500 - Craig Baird6. Australian GT 2013 Race 1 Phillip Island - Jack Le Brocq7. Australian GT 2013 Race 2, Phillip Island - Jack Le Brocq8. Australian GT 2013 Race 1, Sydney Motorsport Park - Jack Le Brocq9. Australian GT 2013 Race 2, Sydney Motorsport Park - Jack Le Brocq10. GT Asia Series Zhuhai, China - Mika Hakkinen, Matthew Solomon


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