Asia Racing Team (ART Motorsports) will welcome back Singaporean karting ace Suriya Bala Kerisnan Thevar for the next AFR Championship next round at the Shanghai International Circuit in China, 22nd – 23rd August.The 16 years old from Singaporean will make his third start of the current AFR season in Shanghai having participated earlier in the opening round of the championship. Round 1's saw Suriya doing two solid races and scoring his first two points in the series.
On his return to AFR action Suriya commented, “I can’t wait to get back in the car after a long absence due to commitments in school. I am really positive for the race as I drove on the same track on my first race in single seaters. I won’t be expecting much from myself as my opponents have so much more experience but I won’t sit back! I will do my best to join them in the fight to the finish. I have been training really hard every day at my local gym to keep myself fit for any race I am about to do. Anything may happen and I’m ready for it as I always am for any race.”
ART Team Manager Philippe Descombes mentioned: “We are very pleased to have Suriya with us for this event. I am sure he learnt a lot from the first event here in Shanghai. This race will be another great experience before the biggest challenge of his career.”
The Shanghai International Circuit is smooth and wide, and includes the fastest straightaway on the tour, at a length of 3600ft. With 14 turns, and two long straight-aways, there are several passing opportunities at this 3.38 mile race track.
Asian Formula Renault champion and ART driver coach Rodolfo Avila added: “This will be Suriya’s second race in single seaters, and I’m sure he will be able to perform much better than he did in his first attempt. The Shanghai track is a high speed, medium down force circuit, which requires a high level of accuracy when keeping to the racing line. He knows the car, and he knows the track. He is still in the beginning of his learning curve but we expect some real improvements this weekend.”
Asia Racing Team heads to Jianding District’s Formula One track sitting 1st in the drivers and teams standings.
