Porsche secured victory in the Am class and P4 overall with HZO Fortis Racing by Absolute Racing in the Shanghai 8 Hours, where the marque looked competitive and ran in strong positions in the early stages.
After a promising qualifying, Winhere Origine’s #96 car began the enduro in third, one place ahead of the #22 Porsche 911 GT3 R of reigning winners Origine Motorsport. Lu Wei made a strong start in the #96, holding third and Liu Hangcheng settled into the race in the other car.
An early incident at the final corner for the #79 Phantom Global Racing machine of Li Ning brought out an early Safety Car, mixing up the order of the pack. Wei dropped back, but when green flag running resumed, the GT World Challenge Asia championship leader fought his way up the field, including a sensational double overtake around the outside in the middle sector.
Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Selected Driver Enzo Trulli and Ling Kang jumped into the #22 and #96 respectively, both setting strong lap times and moving into third and fourth.
When Laurin Heinrich took over from Trulli, the Origine Motorsport team would have been hoping for the Suzuka 1000km winner to continue the positive progress. However, a competitor in another class hit the #22 from behind, damaging the car and forcing Heinrich back into the pits, losing the opportunity to continue competing at the front, eventually retiring from the race as a result.
Not too long after, there was also a problem on the #96 car, as Kang stopped on track. The Chinese driver managed to get the car going again, but lost touch with the leading group.
Meanwhile, Haziq Zariel Oh, Aaron Lim Say Joon and Huang Ruohan were looking strong for HZO Fortis Racing by Absolute Racing. Having started on Am pole and in 10th overall, the trio worked their way up the order and were in podium contention, running as high as second in the final hours. Eventually, after a well-executed enduro, the team claimed fourth overall and Am victory.
Wei, Kang and Leo Ye recovered strongly from the on-track stoppage to clinch ninth, one position ahead of Phantom Global Racing’s #2 car, as father-and-son duo Philippe and Louis Prette, alongside Angelo Negro, enjoyed a consistent race. After recovering the car from its early incident, Ning, Chris Chia, Jaxon Evans and Porsche Junior Flynt Schuring were able to rejoin the race in the other Phantom Global Racing car, completing 164 laps.
A positive race from Lester Tang, Matthew Solomon, Billy Lo and Andy Yan Cheuk Wai in the Mogan Team TDK Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car earned them 15th overall and GTC victory.
In the GTS Am category, Ultimate Motorsport enjoyed a good weekend, with Yang Chunlei, Zhang Wenyan, Zhang Banggui and Wang Haohao clinching second in class. Porsche took a double podium in GTS Silver-Am, with Origin7 Racing earning second and third. Lenny Tian Weiyuan, Jiang Tengyi, Xu Weizhou and Kantadhee Kusiri completed 198 laps of the Shanghai International Circuit, finishing ahead of Tang Yile, Hana Burton, Shi Wei and Han Liqun.
Haziq Zariel Oh, HZO Fortis Racing by Absolute Racing: “After three attempts at this race, we’re finally on the top step of the podium. It’s a result that means so much for us as a team, we always believed this weekend we had the potential and today we made it happen. Ron and Aaron did an amazing job, as did the team. We had a perfect race, so a big thank you to everyone behind the scenes for their efforts.”
Aaron Lim Say Joon, HZO Fortis Racing by Absolute Racing: “I’m super happy with the race, to win our class and finish fourth overall is a great achievement considering the level of competition. The team worked so hard, making all the right calls and completing perfect pit stops the whole race. Thanks to Haziq and Ron for their amazing driving, we were so consistent throughout. Looking forward to being back in the car soon!”
Ron Huang, HZO Fortis Racing by Absolute Racing: “This is my first GT3 endurance race, and I’m very happy to have shared the experience with Haziq and Aaron in the Porsche 911 GT3 R. They both drove outstandingly well, making no mistakes throughout. The team also executed the race perfectly, allowing us to stay in the lead of our class throughout. To finish P4 overall and take Am victory is the perfect reward for the hard work we delivered as a team this weekend.”
Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd.: “While the final results weren’t completely what we were hoping for this weekend, the Shanghai 8 Hours was still a great event and we were delighted to have strong entries in all three classes. HZO Fortis Racing by Absolute Racing performed superbly in the Am category throughout, and took a well-deserved victory. Thanks to all our teams and drivers for their hard work and we’re looking forward to the next one.”
