Alex Yoong Keeps Audi R8 LMS Cup Title Hopes Alive

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4  -- Former Malaysian Formula One ace Alex Yoong kept his Audi R8 LMS Cup championship hopes very much alive after a disastrous outing yesterday, by finishing fourth in the sixth round of the race at the Inje International Racing Circuit in Incheon, South Korea, Sunday.

Alex Yoong who did not start Round 5 after crashing out during qualifying yesterday, started from the back of the grid in a race which saw Earl Bamber on pole, Ho

Photo source : INR8.com

ng Kong drivers Marchy Lee and Edderly Foong starting second and thirdon the grid respectively but fought his way to fourth to win 12 valuable points that kept him third overall and within striking range of the leading duo.

Edderly Foong who had overtaken Alex Yoong as the overall race leader after finishing second yesterday, again finished second today to retain his lead at the top with 105 points while Marchy Lee who finished third yesterday but won the race today, is second with 91 points.

Alex Yoong with 89 points is third.

In today's race, Earl Bamber zoomed his way into the lead right from the start and kept widening the gap over second placed Marchy Lee after every lap but disaster struck towards the final round when his car stalled.

Marchy Lee who was by then keeping Edderly Foong at bay, seized the opportunity to win the race while his fellow countryman who had a major scare when he spun off track, regained his composure to finish second.

Cheng Chong Fu of China finished third ahead of Alex Yoong.

"Since my tyres were fresh after not competing yesterday, I was able to push my car a little bit more and it worked out fine. The points earned today are very important to remain in the hunt for the title.

"The next race is in Sepang, Malaysia, which is my home race and I hope to capitalise on it," said Alex Yoong after the race.

Meanwhile, Marchy Lee said he was happy to have won his first race in South Korea on his maiden appearence in the country.

"Earl started off very well and I had almost resigned myself to second place until his car ended up with problems. My race plan was to maintain my position ahead of Edderly Foong who was close behind, especially towards the final two laps," said the Hong Kong ace who had won the overall title last year.

Meanwhile, the Director of Audi Sport Customer China, Rene Koneberg said the next stop would be Malaysia (Sepang International Circuit).

"The Audi R8 LMS Cup which started in China last year has undergone a rapid expansion plan to other countries in Asia, especially South Korea, Malaysia and Macau. The number of drivers have also increased.

"This is Audi's commitment towards the promotion of motorsports in Asia because our objective is to provide a platform for Asian drivers to excel at a higher level in Europe or America," he said.

Race 6 Results:

1. Marchy Lee (HKG); 2. Edderly Foong (HKG); 3. Cheng Cong Fu (CHN); 4. Alex Yoong.

Overall Championship: 1. Edderly Foong (HKG) 105 points; 2. Marchy Lee 91pts; 3. Alex Yoong (MAS) 89pts.