PICCA Round 11 - Guia circuit, Macau
(18-21st November 2004)
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A-Ha Racing and Matthew Marsh win the Carrera Cup Asia
Matthew and A-Ha Racing have won the 2004 Porsche Infineon Carrera Cup Asia championship. The 11-round series tours the Asia region and supports the F1 Grands Prix in Malaysia and China. The three-way battle for the title was resolved at the final event which supported the Macau Grand Prix on November 21st.
Thailand’s Charoensukhawatana Nattavude led Matthew by one point at the beginning of the weekend. The other contender was reigning champion Charles Kwan Siu-cheung who could have won the title if Marsh and Nattavude had failed to finish.
Marsh was second fastest in Thursday’s practice session behind Darryl O’Young of Team Jebsen. Kwan’s practice was cut short after he was knocked into a slower car by Nigel Albon. The Briton, runner-up in last year’s championship, was making a one-off appearance at Macau. Nattavude was three seconds adrift of Marsh in the first practice but the 41-year old found his pace in time for qualifying and ran second to Marsh for most of the session. In the dying moments Rizal Ramli snatched pole by almost a second. O’Young was fourth and Kwan fifth.
A poor start from Ramli allowed Matthew to lead into the first corner and for the first two laps. The Malaysian re-took the lead at the tight Lisboa corner which ends the very long ocean-front straight. Thereafter Marsh drove conservatively thinking only of the need to finish ahead of Nattavude – and win the title. O’Young briefly took second before crashing at the Melco hairpin.
The start of the race with Marsh and Ramli running
side-by-side.
The race finished under the safety car after Scott Miau had a car-destroying accident at the Mandarin Oriental bend on lap eight. Kwan was third with Nattavude fourth.
Final points:
1. Matthew Marsh - 179
2. Charoensukhawatana Nattavude - 176
3. Charles Kwan, Siu-cheung - 162
Matthew's fiancee Jessie (right) celebrates with Winnie Choy
from A-Ha Racing.
Matthew with his mechanic Tomy George.
Matthew with Mr Orson Lin from Uni-President.
The A-Ha Racing team!