Latest News
Friday, November 14, 2008
MARSH IN THE SHOW
Matthew Marsh has qualified fifth in the Independents class of the WTCC in an unofficial time of 2 mins 36.897.
Overall a good day at the office! Pic above: Create Images
Labels: Macau 2008, PCCA 2008
Saturday, November 08, 2008
PCCA Bahrain - Race 2
Results:
1. Christian Menzel - 24:46.097
2. Darryl O'Young - 24:49.040
3. Tim Sugden - 24:54.598
4. Marchy Lee - 24:54.622
5. Matthew Marsh - 24:57.825
6. Dilantha Malagamuwa - 25.07.993
7. Weng Sun Mok - 25:15.557
8. Alain Li - 25:19.331
9. Ringo Chong - 25:31.564
10. Danny Chu - 25:31.574
Darryl O'Young is the 2008 champion.
Labels: PCCA 2008
PCCA Bahrain - Race 1
Very annoying! I made a good start from fifth on the grid and was third into the first turn. Sadly Christian Jones then drove into me at turn three, destroying my bumper (see photo) and spinning me around. I restarted 18th and spent the 17 lap race catching and overtaking. I finished seventh.
The race was won by Darryl O'Young from Christian Menzel and Tim Sugden. Christian Jones (boo!) was fourth, Marchy Lee fifth and Dilantha Malagamuwa finished sixth.
Race two coming soon...
Labels: PCCA 2008
Friday, November 07, 2008
PIT BOX CONFIDENTIAL - BAHRAIN
Matthew talks to his race engineer Patrick de Groot and Stuart Parker (Tim Sugden's engineer) after qualifying
Labels: PCCA 2008
PCCA Bahrain - Qualifying
Results:
1. Christian Menzel 1:25.4296
2. Darryl O'Young 1:25.7806
3. Christian Jones 1:25.8758
4. Tim Sugden 1:26.1008
5. Matthew Marsh 1:26.1742
6. Marchy Lee 1:26.4395
Please excuse the timing to four digits - the timing is being done by the Aussie V8 guys. (I'm saying this to annoy Christian Jones).
Labels: PCCA 2008
Porsche Carrera Asia - Bahrain; Free Practice
Porsche Carrera Asia - Bahrain; Free Practice, originally uploaded by Matthew Marsh - racing driver.
We're in Bahrain for the final rounds of the 2008 PCCA. Sadly we're using only two-thirds of the Grand Prix circuit - missing the best corners. There are four drivers fighting for the title: Christian Jones, Darryl O'Young, Tim Sugden and Christian Menzel.
The times in the second free practice were as follows:
1. Menzel 1:26.6
2. Sugden 1: 26.9
3. Jones 1:27.0
4. Marchy Lee 1:27.5
5. Marsh 1:27.5
6. O'Young 1:27.63
The photo shows Stuart Parker (left), Patrick de Groot (right) and Sander van Hintem (standing) - the race engineering mafia.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
ANOTHER SIXTH
But this time I actually did some overtaking...
A good start saw me challenge Marchy Lee for fifth into the first corner. Then Jones and Sugden touched - with Sugden spinning off. So I finished lap one in fifth place. On lap two there was drama. Darryl slid off at turn 11 due to loose suspension (requiring a pit stop) and I then spun out of what was - briefly - fourth place.
I completed lap two in 10th place and then spent the rest of the race playing catch-up to an eventual... sixth place!
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Round 10 results:
1. Christian MENZEL
2. Christian JONES
3. Marchy LEE
4. Tim SUGDEN
5. Dilantha MALAGAMUWA
6. Matthew MARSH
7. Ringo CHONG
8. Weng MOK
9. Tunku HAMMAM
10. Paul TRESSIDER
Darryl's eventual 16th place finish was a disaster for him in the championship. The points leader is Christian Jones driving in the colours of Clarksons.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Shanghai Qualifying
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia - Chinese Grand Prix
Qualifying Results:
1. Tim SUGDEN 2:10.458
2. Christian JONES 2:10.490
3. Christian MENZEL 2:10.598
4. Darryl O'YOUNG 2:10.797
5. Marchy LEE 2:11.270
6. Matthew MARSH 2:11.886
7. Dilantha MALAGAMUWA 2:12.054
8. Alain LI 2:13.022
Not a great result for me. With the help of my engineer, Patrick de Groot, I made improvements but still was not able to glue together a particularly good lap. Consistently is the biggest problem I face. The car changes quite quickly as the tyres wear and I did not take full advantage of the performance provided by new rubber. Tomorrow and the race should be better!
Labels: PCCA 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Shanghai Free Practice
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
Free Practice Times
1. O'YOUNG 2:11.222
2. MENZEL 2:11.891
3. SUGDEN 2.11.914
4. JONES 2.12.435
5. LEE 2.12.516
6. MALAGAMUWA 2.12.961
7. MARSH 2.12.992
Labels: PCCA 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Back on her wheels
Number 7 is back on four wheels and ready for shipping to Shanghai. The next rounds of the Carrera Cup Asia are at the Chinese F1 Grand Prix, October 17-19.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Stuff-up at Turn 7
Sadly my race ended on lap two with a collision under braking which saw my car spun into the wall and out of the race.
A rather disappointing end to a good weekend - but only a minor blip in the upward performance curve of the SC Global Racing team.
Tim Sugden led from pole position to the chequered flag but was judged to have committed a jump start and received a time penalty. The win thus went to Darryl O'Young from Christian Menzel and Christian Jones.
Bearing in mind I qualifed ahead of Jones and felt comfortably able to pass Menzel (before my incident) a podium finish was a distinct possibility...
Round 9 Results:
1 55 Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG) A Team Jebsen (HKG) 30:13.378
2 99 Christian MENZEL (GER) A Team StarChase (CHN) +10.031
3 18 Christian JONES (AUS) A Christian Jones (AUS) +11.904
4 6 Dilantha MALAGAMUWA (SRI) A Speed Sri Lanka +20.988
5 88 Tim SUGDEN (GBR) A GruppeM Racing (CHN) +23.452
6 11 Alain LI (HKG) A Sunseeker Asia (HKG) +37.122
Labels: PCCA 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
ACTION SHOTS FROM QUALIFYING
Matthew Marsh, Porsche SC Global Carrera Cup Asia – Singapore 2008 - Round 9 Qualifying - Marina Bay Circuit - Saturday 27 September:
For more photos of the Singapore Grand Prix go here.
Labels: PCCA 2008
SINGAPORE PORSCHE SHOOT-OUT
(Photo from Sutton Photographic)
Porsche SC Global Carrera Cup Asia – Singapore 2008 - Round 9 Qualifying - Saturday 27 September:
Pos. Comp No. Driver Cls Entrant Time
1 88 Tim SUGDEN (GBR) A GruppeM Racing (CHN) 2:20.946
2 55 Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG) A Team Jebsen (HKG) +0.141
3 8 Marchy LEE (HKG) A Team BetterLife (CHN) +0.404
4 99 Christian MENZEL (GER) A Team StarChase (CHN) +0.894
5 7 Matthew MARSH (HKG) A SC Global Racing (SIN) +1.084
6 18 Christian JONES (AUS) A Christian Jones (AUS) +2.180
7 6 Dilantha MALAGAMUWA (SRI) A Speed Sri Lanka +2.819
8 11 Alain LI (HKG) A Sunseeker Asia (HKG) +3.524
9 16 Danny CHU (NED) A Stichting Chu Racing Team (INA) +3.545
10 9 Ringo CHONG (SIN) A Team Kangshun (CHN) +5.010
From PR Plus in Singapore:
For SC Global Racing’s Matthew Marsh, fifth fastest, this weekend marks the culmination of many months of preparation for the team’s “home” race. The 2004 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia champion was buoyant after the session: “As I predicted, the huge support that I have felt whilst in Singapore from my friends at SC Global has spurred me on. Simply, I just drove the car faster. It was a lot of fun.”
RLT.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
THE ANDERSON BRIDGE - photo by Thomas Lam
This photo from Hong Kong photographer Thomas Lam (Create Images) captures the character of the Marina Bay Circuit in Singapore - it shows the SC Global Porsche crossing the Anderson Bridge.
Labels: PCCA 2008
ON EVERY STREET - with photos from Sean Li
After months of speculation we finally got to drive on the Marina Bay Circuit - Singapore's F1 street track. The results from the Porsche SC Global Porsche Carrera Cup Asia free practice are as follows:
1. Tim SUGDEN 2:22.519
2. Christian JONES 2:23.184
3. Darryl O'YOUNG 2:23.201
4. Marchy LEE 2:23.609
5. Christian MENZEL 2:23.868
6. Matthew MARSH 2.24.438
Ours was the third session on track (after the Formula BMW Pacific and Aston Martin Asia Cup) and the track was very 'green' - lacking much racing rubber on its surface. Last night the F1 boys ran for three hours so today the circuit should feel very different.
Initial impressions are that the circuit is very challenging. It has a number of high speed corners and is quite bumpy - especially in a couple of braking zones.
Saturday's qualifying session for the Porsche SC Global Carrera Cup Asia is at 1745hrs and runs for 30 minutes.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
DRIVERS' BRIEFING
Just an hour or so before we set off for free practice at the Singapore Grand Prix and it's time for the drivers' briefing with the FIA's Herbie Blash.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
READY FOR THE BIG ONE
Here's the SC Global car on Thursday afternoon in the support paddock which is underneath the Bay Grandstand (through which the track runs!).
Practice is on Friday at 1640hrs.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
THE GIN ON SINGAPORE - MM and Rupert discuss
Rupert Lloyd Thomas phones in from Canada to discuss the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix - and Matthew's participation in the primary supporting race: the Porsche SC Global Carrera Cup Asia.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
RACING IN SINGAPORE
... but only with slot-cars, so far! On Saturday afternoon I had the opportunity to race members of the public and media on Singapore's latest race track: in 1/32nd scale.
It was great to talk to people in Singapore and to get a feel for the enthusiasm they feel for their event - and our race: the Porsche SC Global Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.
For those who want to know... I was beaten!
PS. It has been pointed out to me by Singapore's über-journalist Tony Tan (from Torque magazine) that I rather left the Merdeka Race story hanging (see below). I rather jumped the gun by assuming I would be racing! We failed to qualify due to a mechanical problem which saw us miss one of the qualifying sessions. There's more to this story, involving cars being moved from over-subscribed classes to ours, but it's probably better we move on...
Labels: PCCA 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
SINGAPORE SHOT IN THE DARK - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
The Porsche Carrera Cup race will be run at 17h:30 local time on Sunday, September 28, prior to the start of the 2008 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX. The Asian edition of the world’s most successful GT one-make series, the Porsche Carrera Cup, will feature at the historic Singapore Grand Prix meeting. The city-state hosts its first ever modern Grand Prix on the new 3.148 mile [5.067 km] Marina Bay Circuit, featuring 23 corners. The 12-lap "Porsche SC Global Carrera Cup Asia – Singapore 2008" will hold plenty of Asian appeal.
The return of motor racing to Singapore is one of the highlights of the decade with a Formula One Grand Prix being run in the dark, under floodlights, for the first time. The 8pm local start time is designed to boost the TV audience in Europe on a Sunday afternoon. With the recent races in Spa and Monza affected by rain will it play a part in Singapore? Matthew Marsh said: "There's always the chance of rain in Singapore and generally in the afternoon. So our race time of 17h30 pm on Sunday means there is a high chance we will be racing in wet conditions. This will make life very interesting."
Matthew Marsh, from Hong Kong, hardly has a spare minute as he is in Singapore ahead of the big race fulfilling sponsor commitments. His team backer, SC Global Developments Limited, is also the title sponsor of the race which supports the Singapore Grand Prix. Once he is strapped into his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car however, Marsh knows that there is only one thing left for him to do, that is race. All the hoopla is forgotten as he takes care of business.
“I won’t feel under any more pressure on the track because once you close the door and start racing, you forget about everything else. The sheer adrenaline generated by an uncompromising need to win completely takes control,” the 2004 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Champion said. “But racing for SC Global Racing at our home event in Singapore in front of all our supporters gives me greater confidence as they all want to see us succeed.”
Marsh said the unprecedented enthusiasm for the event was “infectious” and he has been thinking about the Singapore event ever since it was announced. Like everyone else, Marsh is curious to know what will happen once the lights go out on the start line gantry.
Marsh has jogged along the Marina Bay street circuit, which will be new to all drivers including the Formula One pilots, and he knows this will be a race with a special atmosphere. “It’s going to be really quite special. They’ve managed to create a flow to the circuit and have formed a contrast so that you can see different parts of the city. It’s a bit like taking a journey, one at incredible speed.” With a week to go Matthew reports: "I went for a run around the circuit tonight and there are many areas where it's not really possible to get an accurate idea of how the track will feel. This is because 80-percent of the track is public roads - and roads which are busy most of the time."
Marsh has previously competed on street circuits having raced four times in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia at the Macau Grand Prix and as a guest driver in Monaco as part of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. “It means that there are fewer unknowns for me, but a lot of the others have street circuit experience too. It’s going to be a challenge, but one I will relish.”
Provisional SC Global Developments Porsche Carrera Cup Asia timetable - Round 9:
Friday 26 September, 2008: 15:00 Drivers’ Meeting; 16h:40-17h:25 Practice
Saturday 27 September, 2008: 17h:45-18h:15 Qualifying
Sunday 28 September, 2008: 17h:30-18h:05 Race 12 laps
More news here.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
SC Global Cocktail Party
Singapore GP fever is heating-up with tonight's cocktail party at SC Global's new development on Martin Road.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Singapore Grand Prix
With just over a month to go before F1's first ever night race the circuit is nearing completion. I visited the pits complex which includes two floors of suits for the estimated 4000 F1 Paddock Club guests (tickets for which cost SGD 8250 per head!).
Labels: PCCA 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
MARSH STARS AS SUGDEN STRIKES BACK
GruppeM Racing’s Tim Sugden took a brilliant win in Round 8 of the Porsche Carrera Cup today at Indonesia’s Sentul International Circuit. Second across the line was championship-leader Darryl O’Young, followed by Christian Jones of Australia.
However, if there was a “man of the match” award, it would go to SC Global Racing’s Matthew Marsh who held off a furious Christian Menzel of Team StarChase in a superb display of defensive driving, right up until just two laps before the flag. That’s when the German made a controversial move on Marsh, 2004 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Champion, and he spun. Fortunately Marsh managed to control the spin and save the car from hitting the barrier.
O’Young arrived in Indonesia with a slim margin of a single point at the top of the Class A leaderboard, but leaves with a more comfortable lead of 11 points over Jones. Sugden’s win puts him one point behind Jones, and ahead of Menzel, Team BetterLife’s Marchy Lee and Matthew Marsh.
Said Sugden following his win: "For this race I changed the tyre pressure so the car would come in quicker. Darryl was a bit off line at turn one, so I managed to take the lead. After that, Darryl was defending from Jones so I managed to pull away."
O’Young, beaten the Briton in the previous round, was nevertheless full of confidence that his campaign to capture a second championship title is on track: "Tim drove a great race and his strategy worked. I managed to close the gap at the end of the race, but that was too late! This is my eighth podium in a row, so I hope to carry this form on to Singapore."
Jones, who set the fastest lap of the race, was upbeat: "I had a very good start and got past Marchy (Lee). Then at turn 1 Menzel went wide and I found myself in third. I was in the top three during practice, but my qualifying was terrible. I changed the set up and it’s much better today. Although I’ve lost points to Darryl in this race, I still believe I’m in a position to fight for the championship."
O’Young got away well from pole, but came under pressure from Sugden from the start. Jones, meanwhile, wasn’t losing sight of the leaders. Team BetterLife’s Lee began closing in on the leading trio, while Marsh and Menzel began their tense battle behind him.
Sugden, who finished runner-up to O’Young in Round 7, wasn’t about to let history repeat itself, and made his move on lap four to grab the lead. With Jones and O’Young caught up in their own battle, Sugden was able to pull out a gap at the front.
Meanwhile, Marsh continued to put in perfect laps, unrattled by the increasingly frustrated Menzel behind him. Flashing headlights and a few nudges still couldn’t force the cool-headed Hong Kong racer into making an error and move off the racing line, but it was obvious something had to give. Give it did, and Marsh was fortunate to leave the track with an undamaged car, but he had earned the admiration of the enthusiastic Indonesian crowd.
Despite his disappointment, Marsh was upbeat about the race: "The performance today is another step towards building on what we achieved in Zhuhai, and it makes me confident that I can put on a good show for SC Global Developments in Singapore. It’s also great that after the disappointment in qualifying the team kept a positive spirit and made changes to the car which clearly had a positive effect."
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is back in action in September at the inaugural Singapore 2008 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX, where the drivers will be amongst the first ever to compete on the exciting new Marina Bay street circuit on September 27-28.
Round 8 Result:
Pos. Comp No. Driver Entrant Time
1 88 Tim SUGDEN (GBR) GruppeM Racing (CHN) 23:08.062
2 55 Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG) Team Jebsen (HKG) +0.953
3 18 Christian JONES (AUS) Christian Jones (AUS) +2.600
4 8 Marchy LEE (HKG) Team BetterLife (CHN) +9.661
5 99 Christian MENZEL (GER) Team StarChase (CHN) +13.934
6 7 Matthew MARSH (HKG) SC Global Racing (SIN) +24.594
RLT.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
O'YOUNG SQUEEZES SUGDEN AT SENTUL
Darryl O’Young strengthened his position at the top of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship today, taking a win in Round 7 at Indonesia’s Sentul International Circuit. The Hong Kong racer took the lead off the startline and never looked back, to come home more than three seconds to the good at the chequered flag.
Said a delighted O’Young, who also set the fastest lap of the race: "This is the first win for Team Jebsen in Indonesia, which is just fantastic! My start was OK, but Tim made a mistake and I was able to get up front. I managed to open the gap. You have to be really smooth on this circuit, it’s very difficult to find the right set-up and I’m delighted the team did such a great job."
Second across the line at the end of the 15-lap race was GruppeM Racing’s Tim Sugden who, having reeled in Team StarChase's Christian Menzel in the closing laps after losing two places off the start. Sugden managed to charge past the German on the final lap. Sugden was disappointed to have lost his pole position advantage: "It was a dreadful. I was concerned about the grip and I reduced the revs a little. Off the start I tried to block Christian Menzel, but he was coming too quickly. The battle between me and Christian and between Marchy and Christian (Jones), allowed Darryl to build a gap at the front. I’m very pleased with my result though."
Menzel was full of praise for the Briton: "I compliment Tim for making use of the chance to overtake me. It was at the slow chicane on the final lap. He was putting me under pressure and I made a mistake and went off line, where it is very dirty and there is no grip, and he got past. This circuit is very difficult for a newcomer and experience is important. It will be much easier for me if I come back next year!" Sugden’s disastrous start meant both the Team Jebsen driver and Menzel got by the Briton. Christian Jones got away well and managed to get by Team BetterLife’s Marchy Lee on the opening lap to go fourth. SC Global Racing’s Matthew Marsh made up a place on the opening lap, overtaking Sunseeker Asia’s Alain Li, to finish sixth.
O’Young immediately set about pulling out a gap at the front, with Menzel keeping ahead of Sugden. The drama was unfolding behind them with Lee all over the back of Jones, getting by on lap 6. Lee then closed in on Sugden and, at the start of lap 9, dived past the Briton to go second, albeit briefly. An error by Lee saw him spin, letting both Sugden and Jones get by and relegating him back down the field to fifth. That setback didn’t deter Lee, and he had another try at getting past Jones on Lap 10, but had to wait until the penultimate lap of the race to make it stick, and he crossed the finish line in fourth. The action wasn’t over, however, and Sugden made his move on Menzel on the last lap, grabbing second place from the German and, more crucially, those vital extra points.
RLT.
Labels: PCCA 2008
SENTUL, SOUTH OF JAKARTA
Qualifying for Round 7 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia was held on Saturday, July 19, with Rounds 7 and 8 held over 15 laps each today, Sunday, as part of the Asian Festival of Speed weekend.
Qualifying Round 7:
Pos. Comp No. Driver Entrant Time
1 88 Tim SUGDEN (GBR) GruppeM Racing (CHN) 1:30.639
2 55 Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG) Team Jebsen (HKG) +0.024
3 99 Christian MENZEL (GER) Team StarChase (CHN) +0.428
4 8 Marchy LEE (HKG) Team BetterLife (CHN) +0.449
5 18 Christian JONES (AUS) Christian Jones (AUS) +0.909
6 11 Alain LI (HKG) Sunseeker Asia (HKG) +1.311
7 7 Matthew MARSH (HKG) SC Global Racing (SIN) +1.528
8 6 Dilantha MALAGAMUWA (SRI) Speed Sri Lanka +1.727
9 16 Danny CHU (NED) Stichting Chu Racing Team (INA) +2.073
10 9 Ringo CHONG (SIN) Team Kangshun (CHN) +3.034
RLT.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH RUPERT
Using some clever technology Rupert Lloyd Thomas has interviewed Matthew about last weekend's race at Zhuhai - despite Rupert being in Toronto and Matthew in Hong Kong. The duo speak also about September's Singapore F1 Grand Prix.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
CARRERA CUP ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
After last weekend's rounds 5 and 6 at Zhuhai circuit the points table is as follows:
1. Darryl O'YOUNG 100
2. Christian JONES 99
3. Christian MENZEL 89
4. Tim SUGDEN 87
5. Marchy LEE 70
6. Matthew MARSH 66
Labels: PCCA 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
JONES FEATURES AS O'YOUNG TOPS THE TABLE
Australian Christian Jones took his second Porsche Carrera Cup Asia victory of the day, winning Round 6 with another faultless performance on the 4.2km Zhuhai International Circuit. Jones crossed the line with a comfortable margin of more than four seconds from GruppeM Racing’s Tim Sugden.
Hong Kong’s Darryl O’Young was 3rd for the second time today, but his consistency paid off to put Team Jebsen top of the Championship leaderboard after six races. O’Young now leads with a one point advantage over Jones, who had arrived in Zhuhai 3rd in the standings.
Team StarChase driver Christian Menzel, Class A leader at the start of the weekend, now lies 3rd after a dramatic change in fortunes for the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia drivers.
Jones, fastest in qualifying, untouchable on his way to two emphatic victories and setting the fastest lap in both races, proved beyond doubt he is worthy of the support he is seeking so he can contest the rest of the season, and continue his fight for the title.
Team Jebsen’s O’Young was delighted to put his team top of the leaderboard, despite a trying weekend: “Leading the Championship is the best part of the weekend, and that’s where I want to keep us for the rest of the season,” he said.
SC Global Racing’s Matthew Marsh crossed the line 4th ahead of Team PCS Racing’s Mok Weng Sun, both drivers recording their best finishes so far this season.
Jones got away well from pole, however Sugden was not as quick off the start and had to fight off a hard-charging O’Young. Meanwhile Menzel was on a charge, getting by Team BetterLife’s Marchy Lee to go 4th off the start.
Disaster struck for Hong Kong’s Marchy Lee on Lap 3, when the Team BetterLife ace went off. On the same lap, Marsh got by Menzel, but the German immediately began piling on the pressure, headlights blazing. Marsh held him off valiantly, but Menzel reclaimed 4th position on Lap 5, only to crash out four laps later after making an uncharacteristic driver error.
After two 12-lap races in searing temperatures, all the drivers were feeling the effects, particularly those who elected not to use their cool suits. Choo was experiencing cramps in the final two laps, while Sugden had taken liquids with him in the car in an attempt to rehydrate enroute.
Although it was not the happiest of birthdays for Menzel, he and Team StarChase were able to raise some funds for the victims of the recent China earthquake. Along with the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, and Ringo Chong and Team Kangshun, they gave donors the ride of a lifetime with some hot laps in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia now travels to Indonesia for Rounds 7 and 8 at the 3.9km Sentul International Circuit outside Jakarta from July 18-20. The next races will be run as part of the Asian Festival of Speed weekend.
Results Round 6
1 #18 Christian JONES (AUS) Christian Jones (AUS) 20:13.204
2 #88 Tim SUGDEN (GBR) GruppeM Racing (CHN) +4.232
3 #55 Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG) Team Jebsen (HKG) +8.473
4 #7 Matthew MARSH (HKG) SC Global Racing (SIN) +14.798
5 #33 MOK Weng Sun (SIN) Team PCS Racing (SIN) +32.316
6 #69 Melvin CHOO Kwok Ming (SIN) ThunderAsia Racing (SIN) +35.597
Labels: PCCA 2008
JONES ON CRUISE CONTROL
Christian Jones scored a perfect lights-to-flag victory in Round 5 of the Porsche
Carrera Cup Asia at the Zhuhai International Circuit today, opening up a margin of
more than two seconds from GruppeM Racing’s Tim Sugden by the flag. Team
Jebsen’s Darryl O’Young was third, after an oil pressure warning light gave him a
scare early on.
Jones proved untouchable throughout the 12-lap race, and the Australian was never
seriously challenged after getting a textbook start from pole: “I knew I’d got a good
start so could take a good apex into Turn 1, which gave me a good line out of the corner.
I knew I had the pace.”
From there, he went about opening up a gap from Sugden, setting the fastest lap
of the race: “You really want the race to end when you’re leading! It seems to take
forever when you’re winning,” he said. “I saw Tim start to push, but the next lap
he’d lose it. I was hoping he’d have a scrap with Darryl, but that didn’t happen.”
Despite being on the podium for the third time in succession, nothing short of a
win is acceptable to Sugden, so he wasn’t pleased with 2nd. The Briton admits
he hasn’t managed to master the 4.3km Zhuhai track, and is not one of its fans:
“This is probably my worst circuit of the whole season. Christian drove very, very
well and has done all weekend. I just hope my season is going to get better.”
O’Young felt lucky to finish on the podium, and his 3rd place narrows the gap to
Class A points leader Christian Menzel of Team StarChase to just five points: “I
saw the oil pressure warning light come on which is always a big scare, so I
backed off right away, and by that time Tim and Christian (Jones) were away.”
The Hong Kong racer memorably won the title here in 2006 with a double victory
on the Zhuhai track, but that achievement could go to Jones this weekend. Said
O’Young: “This is one of my best circuits, but with little things here and there,
it just hasn’t come together this weekend.”
The expected charge from the third row of the grid by Championship leader
Menzel never materialised. The German, who celebrates his birthday today, was
plagued with a gearbox problem throughout the race: “It takes too long to engage
gears. We thought it was a sensor, but it isn’t. We’re trying to find out what the
problem is and fix it for this afternoon’s race.”
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia continues this afternoon, with Rounds 6 held over
12 laps of the Zhuhai International Circuit, and Jones on pole.
Round 5 top six result:
1 #18 Christian JONES (AUS) Christian Jones (AUS) 20:15.209
2 #88 Tim SUGDEN (GBR) GruppeM Racing (CHN) +2.260
3 #55 Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG) Team Jebsen (HKG) +3.749
4 #8 Marchy LEE (HKG) Team BetterLife (CHN) +8.549
5 #99 Christian MENZEL (GER) Team StarChase (CHN) +9.590
6 #7 Matthew MARSH (HKG) SC Global Racing (SIN) +15.378
Labels: PCCA 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
JONES JUMPS THE QUEUE IN CHINA
Australia’s Christian Jones took pole position for Round 5 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in Zhuhai. Jones set the time early in the 30-minute qualifying session on the 4.3km Zhuhai International Circuit, clocking a lap of 1:39.607, a time which was not to be bettered.
Jones, who is looking for backing to complete the rest of the season, proved once again he is a force to be reckoned with in just his second season of GT racing. The team was forced to leave its engineer behind in Australia, but this was no hindrance to the on-form 28-year-old who lies third in the Championship standings: “It was perfect!” he said. “The set up was good, but I haven’t driven at all since the last rounds in Shanghai, so I was a bit worried about my driving. Last season we won two races in a day in Chengdu. I don’t want to jinx it, but I hope to repeat that tomorrow.”
Starting the first of tomorrow’s two races tomorrow alongside Jones will be GruppeM Racing’s Tim Sugden, who came within .026 of a second of Jones’ time. The Briton was frustrated as he struggled to judge braking distances: “The car was good enough for pole, but unfortunately the driver wasn’t!” he said. In the closing minutes of the session, it all came together for the experienced Sugden, although he couldn’t better Jones’ time.
On the second row of the grid will be the Hong Kong duo of Darryl O’Young of Team Jebsen and Team BetterLife driver Marchy Lee. Lee’s session was dramatically interrupted mid-way when he was mistakenly pulled in to Parc Ferme by track marshals.Not only did the interruption break his concentration, it also lost him valuable track time. After he was released, and pitted for a tyre change, he had time for just one more lap before the chequered flag. “We work so hard, it’s a real shame,” said a disappointed Lee. “It was a mistake on their part, but I lost three or four laps. It’s not a problem where I am on the grid, but it was unnecessary.”
The top six drivers were separated by less than a second, with Championship leader Christian Menzel of Team StarChase fifth quickest, ahead of SC Global Racing’s Matthew Marsh. Menzel, who has a nine-point lead in the standings from O’Young, is new to the Zhuhai track: “I was disappointed because the gear cut sensor was broken. That is one point why I lost time. But for tomorrow I’m very optimistic, and I’m happy to have the chance to fight a little bit. With such a strong field, and four drivers willing to give no quarter in front of him on the grid, he will have his work cut out in tomorrow’s race.
Matthew Marsh, competing with series newcomers SC Global Racing, believes the team is finding its feet in this, its first season.The 2004 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Champion said: “To be half a second off the series leader is a big step forward. Patrick de Groot has quickly understood what his driver needs, and is giving me a fabulous car.”
Rounds 5 and 6 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia will be held tomorrow, Sunday, over 12 laps each. RLT.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
SC GLOBAL TV COMMERCIAL
My sponsor in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia - SC Global Developments - has recently produced this advertisement which is appearing on CNN.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
MACAU OFF THE MENU - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
News in from Porsche Asia-Pacific that the Carrera Cup Asia will not in fact be racing at this year's Macau Grand Prix in November. This brings to an end five years when the championship finale was staged at one of Asia's great sporting events. The relationship has been two-way with the PCCA race often being considered one of the most exciting of the weekend, featuring the fastest single-make production cars in the world and some of the region's best drivers.
Drivers and sponsors need to know that the calendar, as published before the start of the season, will go ahead as planned. This late-stage cancellation clearly detracts from the prestige of the Macau Grand Prix week-end. RLT.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
MARSH THROWS DOUBLE SIX - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
A character building week-end for Matthew Marsh in Shanghai. His engine lunched in free practice causing him to miss the vital second session, so no chance to learn the circuit or tweak the car. The Porsche was hastily-prepared with a new motor for qualifying where he managed an inspired fifth in wet/dry conditions. In Round 3 Marsh came home sixth which was a disappointment by his high standards. Matthew said "Marchy stalled on the line and Menzel was very slow away. I lost a position to Jones in turn 2. I then let Menzel past. I was then on my own until Marchy caught me - easily. I let him past and learnt some things from him. That was it really. I need to find some pace. We're making a small change to the car and I need to improve my driving. Today I did miss the time I lost in free practice."
As predicted Tim Sugden bounced back after the disappointment of Malaysia in the GruppeM Porsche, beating Christian Menzel by the narrow margin of 0.177 seconds. Third was Team Jebsen’s Darryl O’Young, the Hong Kong racer having fended off a determined Christian Jones for much of the 11 lap race. Marchy Lee was fifth.
As predicted Tim Sugden bounced back after the disappointment of Malaysia in the GruppeM Porsche, beating Christian Menzel by the narrow margin of 0.177 seconds. Third was Team Jebsen’s Darryl O’Young, the Hong Kong racer having fended off a determined Christian Jones for much of the 11 lap race. Marchy Lee was fifth.
Christian Menzel turned the tables on Tim Sugden in Round 4, winning by a similar narrow margin of 0.862 seconds. Darryl O’Young was third, the Aussie Christian Jones fourth and Marchy Lee fifth. For Matthew it was much the same story: "Another sixth place. Marchy made a bad start and I got ahead of him but let him by on lap 2 since he was going a second a lap quicker. It's great fun racing in the Carrera Cup but I'm starting to get frustrated with not being in amongst the leaders - must try harder."
Matthew Marsh concluded: "This weekend was a poor one for the Carrera Cup Asia. We had too little track time and compressed into two days. Obviously I suffered more than most because of the engine failure but even those who ran all the sessions and completed both races felt the event was sub-standard. Hopefully things will be back to normal for Zhuhai in June."
Matthew Marsh concluded: "This weekend was a poor one for the Carrera Cup Asia. We had too little track time and compressed into two days. Obviously I suffered more than most because of the engine failure but even those who ran all the sessions and completed both races felt the event was sub-standard. Hopefully things will be back to normal for Zhuhai in June."
RLT
Labels: PCCA 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
PCCA Provisional Qualifying Results:
1. Christian Menzel 2mins 05.419
2. Marchy Lee 05.776
3. Tim Sugden 06.509
4. Darryl O'Young 06.707
5. Matthew Marsh 07.175
6. Dilantha Malagamuwa 08.018
7. Christian Jones 08.434
8. Alain Li 09.212
Matthew Marsh reports from Shanghai: "I managed only half a dozen laps in the first free practice session before the engine failed. A new one was installed - just before qualifying - but I lost about an hour of running. Perhaps this gave me an advantage in qualifying which was quite wet. I did not have any expectations of how quick I could have gone in the dry!
"The track conditions changed continuously during the session - first wetter, then drier, then more rain, then drying again. Menzel did a good job on his first lap when the track was at its driest. I was still learning my way around at this point. Fifth is not a bad result. I'm gaining confidence in the car and really enjoying having Patrick de Groot manage all the technical aspects. I've never been so relaxed in a racing car.
"The most important thing here is the work done by the mechanics from EKS. They arrived at the circuit at noon on Friday and by 7pm Saturday had not returned to their hotels. No sleep and - for Roly and guys on the cars of Alain Li, Greg Teo and me, they have a few hours more work before they can hit the sack. They will sleep well tonight.
"Sarah from SC Global was ready to throw herself from the pit building when the engine failed. We have been trying to shoot a TV commercial since Wednesday and this is quite difficult to do without a car. Ours finally cleared customs on Friday night but filming was interrupted again by the engine failure. The crew from Shooting Gallery again did a great job working in difficult conditions and we go into Sunday with almost all the shots in the can - including one of me spraying champagne from the podium. Let's see if I can manage this for real on Sunday!" RLT.
Labels: PCCA 2008
SIX-BANGER GOES ON STRIKE - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
Shaping up as the week-end from hell, Matthew Marsh reports from Shanghai: "I managed about half a dozen laps in the opening free practice session before the engine failed. One bank of cylinders no longer has compression which is not good! A new engine is going in but this will mean missing the second and final free practice. We should be out on the track for qualifying."
At least the engine didn't fail in the race; let's hope things turn round on Sunday. RLT.
Labels: PCCA 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
ASIAN ALL-NIGHTER AFTER HOTEL HIATUS - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
Resisting jokes about slow boats to China, the Porsche circus is finally in town. Matthew Marsh reports: "The 14 shipping containers of the Carrera Cup Asia began arriving at the Shanghai circuit late on Friday afternoon and by about 9pm the cars had been cleared by customs and were being worked on by the mechanics from EKS - Porsche's technical partner for the PCCA. After two days waiting at their hotel doing nothing the mechanics now have to look forward to working through the night and then a very busy day on Saturday - two free practice sessions and qualifying."
Dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
Labels: PCCA 2008
SHANGHAI SCHEDULE SHUFFLE - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
Matthew Marsh reports from Shanghai: "This event is not going very smoothly. To begin with the schedule has been compressed into two days of running rather than the usual three. This is apparently because this weekend sees two events worth of races being crammed into one weekend - and being managed by two different promoters. There seems to be some friction which might explain our race timetable: the first one is on Sunday morning at 0950hrs and the second at 1750hrs - just before sun down! It would almost be possible to fly to Hong Kong and back between the races.
"Before we go racing we need cars, of course. As of the close of play Thursday these had still not arrived at the Shanghai circuit - apparently remaining stuck in customs. There should be enough time on Friday to prepare the cars before our sessions begin on Saturday but the SC Global team has another more immediate problem: we're trying to shoot a TV commercial in which our car is the star. We actually shot quite a bit of it today which was quite impressive considering we did not have a vehicle. The SPS team (who are running three Porsches and a Lamborghini in the Supercar Club races) agreed we could use their Porsches, between their various practice and qualifying sessions. This allowed us to do the interior shots but meant the crew from Shooting Gallery had to do their filming super-quick. Now we need for the SC Global car to arrive so we can shoot the outside!"
Race schedule:Saturday:
1030-1120: Free Practice 1
1410-1440: Free Practice 2
1720-1750: Qualifying
Sunday:
0950: Race 1 (11 laps)
1750: Race 2 (11 laps)
Labels: PCCA 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
SHANGHAI SHOWDOWN - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
Chinese entry, Team StarChase, tops the Class A leaderboard going in to rounds 3 & 4 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in Shanghai this week-end. The team has upped the level of competition by enlisting the series’ first ever German racer, Christian Menzel, for its first foray in the world of professional motorsport. The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and German Carrera Cup regular made an impressive Asian series debut last month at the Formula 1™ Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix supporting rounds, taking pole position and winning the opening round in convincing style.However, the weekend did not go completely Menzel’s way, with Hong Kong SAR outfit Team Jebsen taking the second win of the weekend. Darryl O’Young, out of Vancouver, Canada, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Champion in 2006 and another Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup competitor, trails the German by just two points in his quest to capture a second title. Team BetterLife of China, with Hong Kong racer Marchy Lee, also fared well in the opening rounds with a podium finish, as did Team Opes Prime’s Christian Jones from Australia. In fifth place in the series, with a last-minute entry, is Matthew Marsh from Hong Kong in the SC Global Developments Porsche 997 Cup car.
Matthew said "This will be the third event for Henrik Nielsen's Asia Motor Racing - after the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona in Florida and the first Carrera Cup races at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Unfortunately Henrik will again be too busy working to be trackside but Simon Cheong, the founder of our title sponsor, SC Global Developments of Singapore, will be making his first appearance at one of our races.
"Before we hit the track in anger the SC Global team will be at work shooting images for a future television commercial. This should be fun. I've seen the story board for the commercial and it looks very cool. And speaking of cool we've just received a shiny new racing suit from Sparco. They pulled out all the stops to get it made and sent over in time, so thanks to Fulvia Gaspari and her team. We're also making some adjustments to the livery of the car to improve the looks a little.
"The weather in Shanghai at the moment can be best described as 'dreary': it's quite cool - about 13 degrees - and often wet. I think there's a high chance of rain on race day which will add an element of unpredictability. The thing about a wet track is that the grip level changes lap-by-lap so you have to constantly evaluate what's going on. My last race at Shanghai was at the Grand Prix in 2006. I led for a while - in the rain - before sliding off. In fact the race was red flagged in the end when the top four cars hit a lake in the first corner and we all went for a ride through the gravel. Unfortunately my ride was interrupted by the third place car being parked where my out-of-control car wanted to go!"
With a flat tyre and a broken driveshaft marring his opening title defence in Malaysia, reigning champion Tim Sugden of China’s GruppeM Racing will be looking for a change of fortune in Shanghai. The Briton had been challenging Menzel for the lead in Round 1 when he picked up a puncture on the final lap, and then he failed to start the second round after a transmission problem on the warm-up lap. Expect to see Sugden back at the front this weekend.
For the drama of Shanghai in 2006 go here. 2005 here. Shanghai weather in 2008:
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Labels: PCCA 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
SEPANG SITREP - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
PCCA Points after Rounds 1 & 2 in Sepang:
- 99 Christian MENZEL GER 38
- 55 Darryl O'YOUNG HKG 36
- 8 Marchy Lee HKG 32
- 18 Christian JONES AUS 30
- 7 Matthew MARSH HKG 22
- 6 Dilantha MALAGAMUWA JPN 19
- 11 Alain LI HKG 17
- 51 Tunku HAMMAM MAS 15
- 88 Tim SUGDEN GBR 13
- =33 MOK Weng Sun SIN 10
=98 Philip MA HKG 10
Labels: PCCA 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
SEPANG SUMMARY - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
A good solid start for Matthew Marsh: qualified seventh in an eleventh-hour return to the series, ran sixth in Round 1, and got home 5th in the second round at Sepang. The seat time will have done wonders for his confidence. Can he continue his march to the front in the next round at Shanghai in April?
Here are the guys he has got to beat: Menzel leads the field in Round 1 with Matthew Marsh in the pack at right. The unlucky Tim Sugden is running second after taking pole position.
Tim Sugden in The GruppeM Porsche took pole in Round 1. Winner O'Young is flanked by Menzel, left, and Jones atop the Round 2 podium.RLT
Labels: PCCA 2008
MARSH UP TO FIFTH
Updated Sepang PCCA Round 2, Provisional Result:
Pos. # Driver Class Entrant Time
1 55 Darryl O'YOUNG (HKG) A Team Jebsen (HKG) 22:12.551
2 99 Christian MENZEL (GER) A Team StarChase (CHN) +2.670
3 18 Christian JONES (AUS) A Team Opes Prime (AUS) +5.010
4 8 Marchy LEE (HKG) A Team BetterLife (CHN) +7.524
5 7 Matthew MARSH (HKG) A SC Global Racing (SIN) +24.729
6 6 Dilantha MALAGAMUWA (JPN) A Speed Sri Lanka (SRI) +28.451
7 11 Alain LI (HKG) A Sunseeker Asia (HKG) +34.925
8 51 Tunku HAMMAM (MAS) B Tunku Hammam (MAS) +35.609
9 33 MOK Weng Sun (SIN) A Team PCS Racing (SIN) +36.097
10 9 Ringo CHONG (SIN) A Team Kangshun (CHN) +36.458
Team Jebsen’s Darryl O’Young took victory today in Round 2 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, ahead of Round 1 winner Christian Menzel of Team StarChase and Team Opes Prime’s Christian Jones.
O’Young, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Champion in 2006 and looking this season for a second title as well as contesting the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup for a second year, is back with his Blue Girl livery: “It was a great race, although there was really low grip and a lot of sliding about. I realised I had to be smooth rather than fast. I had a few lock ups but no real dramas.”
Menzel meanwhile was philosophical to have missed out on a second win after running wide on the opening lap. Starting from pole, the German got away brilliantly, but track conditions got the better of him: “I was really surprised how bad the track conditions were. I had a perfect start, and 75% of the lap was OK. I braked a ittle early like yesterday, but suddenly there was no grip at all!” After two rounds, he tops the leaderboard with a two point margin from O’Young.
The drama started even before the lights went out, when GruppeM Racing’s Tim Sugden, the reigning champion whose superb performance in Round 1 was negated by a puncture in the final lap, suffered a technical problem and didn’t take the start.
Menzel got away from pole well, but O’Young tucked up Lee and moved up to 2nd. When Menzel ran wide on lap one, O’Young took the lead and never looked back, opening up a gap of 2.670 seconds by the chequered flag.
Jones, meanwhile, has proven he is once again a force to be reckoned with. Still under the weather health-wise, he nevertheless managed to hold on to 3rd in the 10 lap race in what were scorching conditions.
Marchy Lee ran fourth with Matthew Marsh in his wake. He said: "Tim Sugden broke a driveshaft on the warm-up lap. Then Marchy Lee's diff started spewing oil at the start and I thought he would retire quickly and I would inherit fourth which would be a good result. I did not want to slide off on his oil. But he didn't retire."Further down the field, Speed Sri Lanka driver Dilantha Malagamuwa, Alain Li and Hammam were dicing for position. The Sri Lankan eventually got by the Sunseeker Asia driver, leaving him with the trio of Hammam, Mok Weng Sun of Team PCS Racing and Ringo Chong of Team Kangshun furiously trying to get by.
In the searing heat, Li not only had to keep his wits about him to hold the chasing pack behind him, but concentrate on the track ahead: “They kept me honest!” he joked. “It was a great race – one of the best since I joined the series. A lot of clean overtaking and I had a great time. I’ve been trying to work on my focus. I’ve made a few mistakes in the past, but I try to re-focus on the straights, to use them to gather my thoughts.”
Li held firm to take 7th overall, ahead of Tunku Hammam, Mok and Chong. Hammam, who overtook both Dilantha and Li at one stage, enjoyed mixing it with the Class A drivers, but wasn’t about to jeopardise precious Class B points: “I thought to myself, why risk it? But I’ve been talking with my engineer, and with the right settings, maybe I could give the Class A boys a run for their money.”
In Class B, Malaysia’s Hammam took his second win of the weekend, with Philip Ma once again on the podium. Melvin Choo of ThunderAsia Racing crossed the line 3rd, having taken Australian series newcomer Greg Ward on the final lap.
RLT
Labels: PCCA 2008
BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE AGAIN
Matthew Marsh, SC Global Racing Porsche, Sepang International Circuit, March 22, 2008:
RLT
Labels: PCCA 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
MARSH TOP SIX IN CARRERA COMEBACK - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
Updated - March 22, 2008: Christian Menzel from Germany won the first round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia held at the Sepang International Circuit today. The experienced Menzel did just as he had threatened to do after being bested by Tim Sugden in qualifying. Marchy Lee from Hong Kong was second, followed home by Darryl O'Young with Christian Jones in fourth place. Pole-sitter Tim Sugden was fifth with Matthew Marsh in the SC Global Racing Porsche in sixth place. Dilantha Malagamuwa and Alain Li rounded out the top eight. Tim Sugden was second until a few corners from the end when his left rear tyre failed. Darryl O'Young spun early on and climbed back up from 6th. He inherited fourth when Tim Sugden slowed down.
Matthew Marsh commented: "Mega! Sixth place is not quite the same as winning, of course, but I'm delighted to be back in the Carrera Cup and to have my first race finish under my belt. I'm improving with every lap and Patrick made some changes to the car which made it more consistent.
"My start was OK and I got ahead of Alain Li into the first turn. Dilantha hit me from behind into turn 2 - which is par for the course, from him, I'm afraid. I was running pretty comfortably behind Christian Jones for the first half of the race but he extended a gap when I made some errors and after that I concentrated on reaching the flag."
The second round will take place at 12:45, before the F1 Malaysian Grand Prix, tomorrow [Sunday].
Sepang PCCA Round 1:
Pos. # Driver Class Entrant Time
1 99 Christian MENZEL (GER) A Team StarChase (CHN) 22:00.046
2 8 Marchy LEE (HKG) A Team BetterLife (CHN) +1.141
3 55 Darryl O'YOUNG (HKG) A Team Jebsen (HKG) +7.763
4 18 Christian JONES (AUS) A Team Opes Prime (AUS) +10.419
5 88 Tim SUGDEN (GBR) A GruppeM Racing (CHN) +10.851
6 7 Matthew MARSH (HKG) A SC Global Racing (SIN)+15.489
7 6 Dilantha MALAGAMUWA (JPN) A Speed Sri Lanka (SRI) +18.315
8 11 Alain LI (HKG) A Sunseeker Asia (HKG) +30.286
RLT
Labels: PCCA 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
SUGDEN SNATCHES FIRST POLE OF SEASON
Sepang, Malaysia: Tim Sugden, GruppeM Racing's British driver, got his title defense off to a great start today, taking pole position for Round 1 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. The Briton clocked a time 0.424 seconds quicker than Team StarChase driver Christian Menzel from Germany who is making his Asian debut this weekend.
Hong Kong's Marchy Lee secured a place on the second row of the grid for his Team BetterLife Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car with third fastest time. The top four drivers, which also included Team Jebsen's Darryl O'Young just 0.880 seconds off pole, recorded laps within a single second of each other. Matthew Marsh from Hong Kong qualified seventh on his return to the series in the SC Global Racing Porsche.
On drastically different track conditions to those experienced here last month during the official test, many of the drivers struggled to find the right set up and, with a treacherously slippery surface, the session was plagued with yellow flags. With only twenty minutes for qualifying it is a lottery finding a gap in the traffic with no caution flags.
Sugden said: "There was no grip at all, which meant we had to make some pretty dramatic changes to the car. I'm very pleased with my engineer. We discussed it and he made it better. He was, however, cautious about the significance of his pole position: "I've always said, I hate to be beaten under any circumstances. It's a nice start to the season, but it's only one pole position. I'm not the best at qualifying, I can put a race together better. I'm sure these guys will have a think about it overnight and make some changes tomorrow. Tomorrow it will be another story!"
Menzel was not in the least fazed by being second fastest in the session, despite having been fastest for most of the afternoon. He was one of the drivers hit by yellow flags during his flying lap: "It's nice for Tim and I congratulate him, but I will come back and win the race!"
New to the regulations this year, pole position is awarded an extra point. In a series which is so close it is typically won or lost over a few points, every one counts. RLT
Labels: PCCA 2008
MARSH SEVENTH IN #7
Sepang Qualifying PCCA Round 1 top ten:
Pos. # Driver Class Entrant Time
1 88 Tim SUGDEN (GBR) A GruppeM Racing (CHN) 2:10.126
2 99 Christian MENZEL (GER) A Team StarChase (CHN) +0.424
3 8 Marchy LEE (HKG) A Team BetterLife (CHN) +0.608
4 55 Darryl O'YOUNG (HKG) A Team Jebsen (HKG) +0.880
5 11 Alain LI (HKG) A Sunseeker Asia (HKG) +1.20
6 18 Christian JONES (AUS) A Team Opes Prime (AUS) +1.407
7 7 Matthew MARSH (HKG) A SC Global Racing (SIN) +1.469
8 6 Dilantha MALAGAMUWA (JPN) A Speed Sri Lanka (SRI) +1.601
9 69 Melvin CHOO Kwok Ming (SIN) B ThunderAsia Racing (SIN) +2.688
10 9 Ringo CHONG (SIN) A Team Kangshun (CHN) +2.760
Matthew commented "That was difficult and fun in equal measures. It's great to be back in the Carrera Cup Asia. I'm feeling very well supported by, of course, SC Global, by Patrick de Groot my engineer, and by Henrik Nielsen who made it all possible. He couldn't make it here, unfortunately, so I'll blame him for any disappointments!
"Seventh is not exactly where I wanted to be. I guess sixth would have been reasonable for my return to the series so I certainly under-performed a bit and Alain Li did a great job to set fifth quickest time. I'm thrilled for him and he should be proud of the time he set. Patrick de Groot gave us both a great set-up and thankfully Alain did the job properly.
"We're racing on both Saturday and Sunday and I'm excited to see the lights go out. I can't wait!"
RLT
Labels: PCCA 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
WRAPPED AND READY
Pictures reach me from Malaysia of the new SC Global Racing
Porsche in the Paddock at Sepang International Circuit:
RLT
Labels: PCCA 2008
WHEN THE FLAG DROPS - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2008 - Rounds 1 & 2, Sepang International Circuit,
Official Support Races to the 2008 Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix.
PCCA Timetable:
THURSDAY
10:00-16:00 SIGNING IN, SUPPORT PADDOCK
FRIDAY
09:00-13:00 SIGNING ON / SCRUTINEERING
13:00 DRIVERS MEETING / TEAM CATERING
17:00-17:30 PRACTICE SESSION
17:40-18:00 QUALIFYING SESSION
SATURDAY
12:25-13:00 ROUND 1 (TBC LAPS OR 30 MINS)
SUNDAY
12:45-13:20 ROUND 2 (TBC LAPS OR 30 MINS)
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Labels: PCCA 2008
SC Global Racing Signs Champion for Motorsport Debut - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
Leading luxury residential property developer, Singapore’s SC Global Developments Limited, has enlisted 2004 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Champion Matthew Marsh for its motorsport debut and quest for the 2008 title.
The new team, SC Global Racing, was unveiled in Singapore last week, ahead of the opening round of the 11-race season which will be an official support race for the 2008 FORMULA 1™ Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix at the weekend.
In addition to the title campaign, SC Global will also be title sponsor of the official support race to the 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix in September, which will be known as the ‘Porsche SC Global Carrera Cup Asia – Singapore 2008’, and is series’ Official Real Estate Partner for the entire 2008 season.
The campaign marks SC Global’s first foray into the high-octane world of motor racing, and comes as a result of shared core values with both Porsche and the sport: Design, innovation, excellence and success.
Commented Mr. Simon Cheong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SC Global Developments, “SC Global, like our clients, is discerning, driven and demands excellence in everything we do, so what better way to make our debut in the exciting world of motorsport than with a Champion at the helm of our new SC Global Racing team?”
Picture: Christer Ekberg, MD of Porsche Asia-Pacific,
Simon Cheong, Chairman & CEO of SC Global Developments,
and Matthew Marsh with much to celebrate.
Marsh is one of Asia’s best known motorsport personalities, and one of only a handful of drivers from the region to have competed in some of the world’s greatest Grand Touring races: The Le Mans 24-Hours in France; the Daytona 24-Hours in the USA; the German Nürburgring 24-Hours; Australia’s Bathurst 24-Hours; and the FIA GT Championship.
He has raced on just about every Asian race track, and has won on both the sweeping Formula One tracks as well as some of the region’s most demanding and difficult shorter tracks. No stranger to street circuits, Marsh has visited the podium at the Macau Grand Prix more than once, having tamed the notorious Guia Circuit. This will stand him in good stead on Singapore’s new Marina Bay Circuit come September when Formula One – and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia – makes its debut there.
Commented Marsh, “There are obvious parallels between SC Global and Porsche. The most evident is they both see excellence as a way of life. To be chosen to represent SC Global Racing is therefore a great honour. This year’s Carrera Cup Asia is the most exciting in its six year history and I am thrilled to be involved. All the drivers are excited about being part of Singapore’s inaugural Grand Prix in September and I’m hoping to gain advantage from Mr Cheong’s experience of the city’s streets!”
Away from the track Marsh is regularly heard during ESPN STAR Sport’s Formula One broadcasts, and is a regular contributor to a number of publications across the region. RLT
Labels: PCCA 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
CARRERA CUP COUNTDOWN - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
The premier sportscar series in the Far East, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, kicks off at the Sepang International Circuit, near Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia next weekend. Eighteen drivers from around Asia-Pacific and from Europe, will compete in 2008 identical-spec, Michelin-shod Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. Now in its sixth year, with an 11-round season, there will be two Cup races accompanying the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix.
On the starting grid will be Matthew Marsh, 2004 Champion, in the brand-new Flex-Box Porsche 997 Cup car. Built by Porsche Motorsport in Weissach, Germany, the car features a 420bhp engine, an increase of 20bhp over last season’s model, with more torque and an upgraded gearbox. This arrive-and-drive series features immaculately-prepared identical cars, with limited adjustment to car setup permitted and restricted testing. This puts the emphasis on driver skill and the ability to get the most out the car on race day. You must go flat out from the start.
Matthew was at the recent PCCA launch press conference held in Singapore on 14 March at the Singapore Cricket Club, adjacent to the new Grand Prix circuit. He showed some media-types around the new track. He reported: "I was stunned by what I saw in Singapore. It's easy for a street circuit to be uninspiring because the design is restricted by the available roads. The Marina Bay Circuit is very exciting. The layout is very bold indeed. It looks fast and flowing - which is an achievement in itself. Crossing the Anderson Bridge will be fantastic and it's going to be very fast there. Then travelling through - literally under - the Bay grandstand is going to extraordinary.
"The Singapore Grand Prix is for me the first 21st Century motor race. It's the future. A night race in the heat of an exciting tropical city. How exciting is that? When F1 came to China in 2004 it was a logical extension both of F1 being the leading global marketing platform and China's membership of the world economy. The Shanghai Grand Prix was hugely important at the time and it was a book-end of 20th century motor sport. The Singapore Grand Prix is more exciting by an order of magnitude."
* Motor racing was last held in Singapore 1961-1973 on the old Thomson Road circuit. [Pics: Porsche Asia Pacific.]
Labels: PCCA 2008
Thursday, March 06, 2008
CARRERA CUP IN VENUE SWITCH
News from Motorsport Asia CEO David Sonenscher in Kuala Lumpur that Rounds 3 & 4 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia have switched from Zhuhai to Shanghai. The revised calendar is given below:
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2008
Provisional Race Calendar - 03.03.2008
Date Circuit, Country Event Round(s)
February 15 - 16 Sepang Int. Circuit, Malaysia - Test Days
March 21 - 23 ( Rd 1 & 2 ) Sepang Int. Circuit, Malaysia Formula 1 Support Race
April 18 - 20 ( Rd 3 & 4 ) Shanghai Int. Circuit, China China Formula Open
June 20 - 22 ( Rd 5 & 6 ) Zhuhai Int. Circuit, China Pan Delta Super Racing Festival
July 18 - 20 ( Rd 7 & 8 ) Sentul Int. Circuit, Indonesia Asian Festival of Speed
September 26 - 28 ( Rd 9 ) Marina Bay Circuit, Singapore Formula 1 Support Race
October 17 - 19 ( Rd 10 ) Shanghai Int. Circuit, China Formula 1 Support Race
November 13 - 16 ( Rd 11 ) Macau Guia Circuit, China * Macau Grand Prix
* Subject to confirmation of commercial agreement.
RLT
Labels: PCCA 2008
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
MARSH BACK AT THE GREAT TRACKS - writes Rupert Lloyd Thomas
With support races on three F1 World Championship Grand Prix week-ends and a
testing finale on the streets of Macau, the PCCA is shaping up to be the
toughest challenge in Asian motor racing. The level of competition
increases year-on-year with visiting professional drivers from Europe aiming
to steal the series. Matthew Marsh, 2004 Champion, is back, with the
enthusiastic backing of Flex-Box, in a brand-new Porsche 997 Cup car,
aiming to keep the trophy in Hong Kong. Many thanks to Flex-Box's Henrik
Nielsen for making it all possible.
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia schedule is as follows:
21 - 23 March 2008 ( Rd 1 & 2 ) Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia (F1)
18 - 20 April 2008 ( Rd 3 & 4 ) Zhuhai International Circuit, China
20 - 22 June 2008 ( Rd 5 & 6 ) Zhuhai International Circuit, China
18 - 20 July 2008 ( Rd 7 & 8 ) Sentul International Circuit, Indonesia
26 - 28 September 2008 ( Rd 9 ) Marina Bay Circuit, Singapore (F1)
17 - 19 October 2008 ( Rd 10 ) Shanghai International Circuit, China (F1)
14 - 16 November 2008 ( Rd 11 ) Guia International Circuit, Macau (Macau GP)
Labels: PCCA 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
TEST DAYS
The test days for the 2008 Porsche Carrera Asia season proved successful despite the very last minute nature of my entry. The newly formed Asia Motor Racing Ltd purchased a car literally on the eve of the event and I hopped on a plane to Kuala Lumpur. Here's the car with some supporters before the action started:
The 18-car field for this year's championship is stronger than ever featuring three former champions (Darryl O'Young, Tim Sugden and me). Christian Jones is back for a second go having almost won last year's series. Marchy Lee is confident after winning both Zhuhai rounds last season. Much attention was focussed on a newcomer: Christian Menzel from Germany. He has competed in the Porsche Supercup for the past four years, finishing fifth in 2007. He won the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany in 2005, the Nuerburgring 24 hours in '98 and the GT class at Daytona in 2001.
Here's the Flex-Box flyer in action:
Labels: PCCA 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
BACK IN THE CARRERA CUP
There's a long story behind this one which involves an equally long road journey from Daytona to Sebring and then on to Miami in the always pleasant company of Flex-Box's Henrik Nielsen. The conclusion came at 11am yesterday, Wednesday, when we secured purchase of a 2008 model year Porsche 997 Cup for use in this year's Carrera Cup Asia. Today I flew to Kuala Lumpur and tomorrow will drive the car at Sepang for the first time. Here she is, the Flex-Box flyer:
Labels: PCCA 2008
