YOKOHAMA Macau GP 2012 Race Report Vol.1
15 Nov 2012

Practice, which started today the 15th November, was held under cloudy skies for all the categories. The SJM F3 Macau Grand Prix brings together top ranking drivers from around the world. GP2 driver Felipe NASR (Dallara-Mercedes) topped the times of the practice session with a time of 2:14.787. Felix ROSENQVIST (Dallara-Mercedes), who was 4th in the Euro F3 series, was 2^nd quickest just 0.221 seconds behind, Antonio DA COSTA (Dallara-Volkswagen) 3rd in this year’s GP3 series, was 3^rd fastest on 2:15.124. In the later qualifying session DA COSTA won pole position on 2:13.400 after the session had been interrupted by accidents for Jimmy ERICKSON and Andrea RODA (Dallara-Mercedes). 2nd fastest was ROSENQVIST just 0.021 seconds behined .Carlos SAINZ Jr. (Dallara-Volkswagen) was 3rd.

Testing for the final round of the WTCC, the GUIA Race of Macau, saw 29 cars taking part. The final minutes of the session were lost with an accident for Daryl O’Young (Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T). Following the usual strong initial showing form the Chevrolet drivers Tiago Monteiro (Honda Civic S2000 TC) finally topped the times on 2:33.908. Stefano D’Asute (BMW 320TC) was 2nd on 2:34.528, titlist the top Chevrolet was Robert Huff (Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T) with 2:34.789.

31 YOKOHAMA shoed cars took part in practice for the Hotel Fortuna MAC / HKG inter-port race. Local resident CHOU Keng Fai (Honda Integra) from Macau ended up fastest after another accident interrupted session with 2:48.379. 2nd was Man Fong with 2:48.767 and LO Kai Fung (Honda Integra) from Hong Kong 3rd on 2:49.722.

The SUNCITY GROUP MACAU ROAD SPORT CHALLENGE practice saw 34 cars on track, 22 running on YOKOHAMA. A variety of cars took part. Honda NSX, Nissan GT-R, Subaru Impreza, Mitsubishi Lancer, and Mazda RX-8, as examples. It was a challenge just to survive practice with 2 red flags interrupting the session. SUN Tit Fan (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO9) from Hong Kong finished on top position after recording an early time of 2:36.637. 2nd was Nattavude CHAROENSUKHA WATANA (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO9) with 2:39.521. On 2:43.466 was Japanese driver Tatsuya TANIGAWA (Mazda RX-8) in 3rd place.

The CITY OF DREAMS MACAU GT CUP also incorporates a round of GT Asia Series held on YOKOHAMA tyres. A total of 32 “Super-cars” took part with all the top GT3 cars represented, Ferrari 458 Italia, Audi R8 LMS, Porsche 911 and McLaren MP4-12C. Precious winner Edoardo MORTARA (Audi R8 LMS) was fastest with 2:24.153 followed by Lucas Di GRASSI (Ferrari 458 GT3) on 2:25.810. Romain DUMAS (Porsche 911GT3R ) recording 2:27.023 for 3rd. Japanese driver Keita SAWA (Porsche 911GT3R) was 4th, just 3.8 seconds from the top.

CTM Macau Touring Car Cup sees a large variety of cars competing in this top Asian touring car race. Of the 35cars 33 are using YOKOHAMA. Andy YAN, from Hong Kong was quickest in his Chevrolet Lacetti on 2:42.118. 2nd was Jeronimo BADARACO from Macau with 2:43.144 in a Honda Accord. Another Chevrolet, but this time Cruze, was 3^rd with Phillip YAU from Hong Kong on 2:43.578.