• New team impresses on debut at legendary French Circuit de la Sarthe
• Strong results in double-header against formidable international field
• Team sole Hong Kong entry amongst 49-car field from 12 nations
June 18, 2017 (Le Mans, France) – WIN Motorsport impressed on its debut on the world’s most famous race track, France’s Circuit de la Sarthe – home of the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours – with a top ten finish in the first of the two Road to Le Mans races. The only Hong Kong team amongst the 49-strong international entry from 12 nations, local driver William Lok and team mate Richard Bradley put up a superb battle to take home 10th and 11th places in the intense double-header warm-up to the main event, the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The two, 55-minute races were run on Thursday, June 15 and Saturday, June 17, with the WIN Motorsport LMP3 car competing against the world’s most experienced and established teams in the category. Carrying the momentum of their double Asian Le Mans Sprint Cup victories on the team’s debut in Malaysia recently, and as the only team from Southeast Asia entered in the prestigious event, WIN Motorsport arrived in La Sarthe superbly prepared and ready to take on the challenge.
Storming to a third row starting position after the first qualifying session, WIN Motorsport had it all to do in Race 2 from the 12th row of the grid having been hampered by traffic, red flag interruptions due to accidents, and Slow Zone Yellow speed-limited areas.
Race 1 saw WIN Motorsport battle amongst the fiercely-competitive field over 13 laps of the gruelling 13.29km circuit to cross the line in 10th.
Saturday’s Race 2 saw early drama when the car was hit on the opening lap, the resulting damage to the front right side dramatically reducing its aerodynamics, particularly hindering its performance on the straights and the control balance of downforce in corners. In fact, a post-race examination of the car revealed a dislodged radiator, extensive damage to the side, a damaged splitter and a front right tyre rubbing against broken bodywork. Under these challenging circumstances, Bradley and Lok did a stellar job to bring the car home.
Next WIN Motorsport returns to Asia to continue its Asian Le Mans Sprint Cup campaign, with Rounds 3 and 4 at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit from July 21 to 23.
WIN Motorsport Quotes:
William Lok: “WIN Motorsport worked really hard and gave us a great car. It’s not easy for a new team to have just its second race weekend at such a high-profile event on the world stage. Our pace has improved over the week even despite the aero issues caused by the damage in Race 2, and we’re looking forward to achieving some good results in Asia in July and August.
I’m proud to have carried the Hong Kong flag across the finish line twice at Le Mans this week, and taken a top 10 finish in Road to Le Mans. WIN Motorsport was only established a few short months ago and we have already taken two victories in Asia. Now we have proved our strength amongst a field of the best international LMP3 teams on the planet from right across Europe and the USA, and shown the Hong Kong ‘can do’ spirit to the world.”
Richard Bradley: “Both Road to Le Mans races this week were incredibly tough, and WIN Motorsport has demonstrated exceptional professionalism and determination. Some of the teams competing here have been established for decades, so to come here and record a top ten finish and finish both races is truly an impressive achievement. As the sole Southeast Asian entry amongst a field of 49 cars WIN Motorsport has proved that Asian motorsport is now a true force to be reckoned with.”
