Nice shot of local colour - AM PR below:
2009 Aston Martin Asia Cup Season Opens With Two Support Races At The Formula One Chinese Grand Prix
The 2009 Aston Martin Asia Cup kicks off in style this weekend (17-19 April 2009) with two support races at the Sinopec Formula One Chinese Grand Prix.In its second year, the one make Aston Martin series returns to track action sporting a grid of Aston Martin Vantage N24s as powerful as they are stylish. The series welcomes back several drivers from 2008, a season which provided some enthralling racing eventually seeing Kota Sasaki (Japan) take the spoils as Champion. Sasaki was pushed all the way by the highly experienced Sri Lankan driver Dilantha Malagamuwa who returns in 2009, run by Dilango Racing.
Malagamuwa, a double winner and Championship runner up in 2008, will be looking to go one better this year but will find the competition tough.
Singapore fields two strong drivers in Mel Choo and Ringo Chong. Choo knows how it feels on top of the podium having taken a win last year and Chong took podium honours at both last year’s F1 support events, his third place in his home race at Singapore a well fought and emotional finish.
Malaysia’s Tunku Hammam is a further 2008 podium visitor who will be one to watch this year.
Young charger Kuo Tong Hsieh also showed great pace in AMAC’s debut season and he will be keen to finish well in Shanghai as he leads a trio of Chinese Taipei drivers for the event.
Showing the Aston Martin Asia Cup attracts drivers from further afield the series welcomes back Australia’s Mark Williamson and Britain’s Ryan Marsden both of whom will be at the wheel of Concord Energy Racing Astons once more. The team will be joined at a later date by Nas Muzayyin, 2008 Rookie Of The Year.
The 16 turn Shanghai International Circuit, with both its tricky corners and back straight which is almost three-quarters of a mile long, is an ideal track for the nimble Michelin shod N24s to show off their all-round ability. And with two races on the cards there is ample opportunity for the drivers to shine during one of China’s most exciting sporting weekends of the year.
"We are all looking forward to getting on the track after the winter break" says Series Director, Ian Geekie. "We are pleased to welcome back many drivers who joined us in our first year in 2008 and also a number of new drivers. To enjoy a double support race at the Formula One is a great way for us to start our season and it certainly adds to the exciting paddock atmosphere."
The Aston Martin Asia Cup is proudly supported by Michelin, Dura Workshop Systems, Powerbuilt and Racing Logistics International.
And, for those inspired by the car on track they are warmly invited to visit the Aston Martin showrooms in Shanghai (216 Alley, Madang Road, Luwan District) and Beijing (Goldenport Motor Park, Chao Yang).
