Austrian Auer strikes again - JK Racing Asia Series

Saturday, 28 May 2011 22:22

Written by senthilkumar

Euro-International ace Lucas Auer overcame the unpredictable Malaysian weather and claimed a perfect day with two pole to flag wins in the JK Racing Asia Series during the Asian Festival Of Speed today.

Auer claimed his second win of the day when he clocked 22:10.417 to finish 6.224 seconds ahead of Malaysian Irfan Ilyas of Petronas Mofaz Racing and a further 17.323 seconds from third-placed Akash Nandy of Meritus GP in Round 4.

“I had a good start. The car did consistent times till the end of the race and it was good,” said Auer.

“It’s been a really good day. Rain or shine the car is just good.” Auer also admitted the other drivers will add pressure as they gear up for the Rounds 5 and 6 races tomorrow. “I’m sure they will all be eager to pressure me but I will try and repeat two wins. It will be a new day so let’s wait and see.”

It was also a positive outing for Raj Bharath- the lone Indian on the grid driving for Meritus GP, who managed to make his way upto a strong ninth place finish despite starting from the 14th. Earlier in the day, the wet qualifying session was also dominated by Auer- while Malaysian driver Nabil Jeffri of Petronas Mofaz Racing Racing was set to start alongside the Austrian in second place but was handed a two-grid position penalty for the Round 4 race after he failed to observe the yellow flag during the qualifying session at the very last lap of the second sector. Jeffri’s team mates Irfan Ilyas and Hiqmar Danial made up row two with third and fourth spots respectively.

Second-placed finisher Ilyas, who had earlier thanked Lady Luck for his fine run in Round 3, was again excited finishing behind Auer- recording a strong finish despite enduring several mechanical issues towards the end of the race.

“It’s just good to enjoy another podium finish. It was not as good as the first race as I had some trouble with the car,” said the Malaysian.

“Auer started better than me. I could catch up but I was lucky that the gap between me and the other drivers was huge so it was a relaxed race to the end.” Ilyas is now eager to fight for honours.

“Of course and I would want to try and improve. With a better set-up maybe I can win tomorrow.”

At the post race press conference, Nandy was quick to thank everyone around him for his podium finish. “I thank my dad and team for their support. I’m happy but I’ll try to do better tomorrow.” Duvasheen Padayachee of Eurasia Motorsport claimed fourth while Nabil Jeffri was placed fifth. Russian Andrey Khrapov of Meritus GP came in sixth as Jimmy Antunes once again defied all odds despite starting from the back of the grid to finish seventh.

The 2011 Asian Festival Of Speed features three FIA Sanctioned Series, the JK Racing Asia Series, GT Asia and the Asian Touring Car Series.

It will also be the fourth year that the Asian Festival Of Speed has opened its doors, and the grandstand, to members of Car Clubs from around the Region for their AFOS Car Club Gathering. This year the gathering is once again organised by the guys from trafficmagonline.com. Racing fans will also be given a unique chance to get up close to the AFOS Angels when for the first time, the opening ceremony will be held simultaneously as the pit-walkabout right at the paddock.

JK Tyre & Industries, the leading tyre manufacturer in India, is the title partner for the JK Racing Asia Series.
The Series is also supported by AirAsia, Asia’s leading low-cost carrier.

The JK Racing Asia Series is currently the only Junior Formula that provides a unique opportunity where the drivers are given a platform to compete in front of the Formula 1 fraternity. On three occasions the JK Racing Asia Series will support Formula One Grand Prix, in Malaysia, Singapore and the newly built circuit in India.

The JK Racing Asia Series is organised by Motorsport Asia Ltd.