Asian Le Mans Series – 4 Hours of Sepang Victory and title for Calado, Cozzolino and Kimura, and the Ferrari 488 GT3 of Car Guy
Posted: 24.02.2019
Source: Ferrari
– Japanese team dominates in its debut season, securing a place in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
– Third place for Pier Guidi, Negri Jr and Piovanetti in Spirit of Race no. 51
Sepang, 24 Feb 2019 – In an extraordinary debut season the Japanese team Car Guy recorded four wins in four races, the drivers’ and teams’ title in the Asian Le Mans Series and a place on the grid at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. All in all, it was a brilliant performance by the Ferrari 488 GT3 crewed by James Calado, Kei Cozzolino and Takeshi Kimura.
Unbeatable. The trio won the 4 Hours of Sepang, the last round of the Asian Le Mans Series, racing with tactical intelligence and an excellent pace. After the previous victories – Shanghai, Fuji and Buriram – car no. 11 just needed to cross the finish line to clinch the title. However, after a cautious start to avoid any contacts that would have jeopardised the final result, the entry of the safety car allowed Cozzolino to take the lead with just over two hours to go. From then on the team from Shizuoka prefecture managed the race, holding onto first position even when the safety car came out again, until celebrating its triumph under the chequered flag.
Another podium finish. It was an excellent performance by the second Ferrari, the 488 GT3 of Spirit of Race, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, Oswaldo Negri Junior and Francesco Piovanetti. Car no. 51 was always among the leaders and only yielded second place towards the end. With the podium, Spirit of Race ensured their second place in the team standings.
With these results, Ferrari 488 GT3 teams and drivers have won 45 championships, with 202 wins out of 409 entries.
Victory in the Asian Le Mans Series gives Car Guy a place in the next 24 Hours of Le Mans on 15 and 16 June
Asian Le Mans Series – James Calado in front row at Sepang
Posted: 23.02.2019
Source: Ferrari
Sepang, 23 Feb 2019 – The Ferraris of Car Guy and Spirit of Race finished second and third in qualifying for the 4 Hours of Sepang, the final race of the Asian Le Mans Series.
Family fight. James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi, crewmates at the wheel of the 488 GTE in the FIA WEC, competed for pole position with extremely fast and close times. James Calado was gunning for the pole that would have clinched the title for Car Guy but had to settle for second place in the GT3 class with a time of 2:03.513. Alessandro Pier Guidi came third for Spirit of Race in a time of 2:03.650. The Italian driver was the fastest in the last free practice session before qualifying.
A must-see. Pole position went to Dries Vanthoor. The four-hour race sets off on Sunday at 12 pm local time and will decide the various class titles, including the GT3 in which the 488 GT3s will be competing. The Ferrari crew of Calado, Cozzolino and Kimura only need to finish the race to take the winner’s laurels.
Asian Le Mans Series – CarGuy chasing down the title in Malaysia
Posted: 21.02.2019
Source: Ferrari
Sepang, 21 Feb 2019 – It’s all set in Sepang for the last round of the Asian Le Mans Series (ALMS) in which two teams and two Ferrari 488 GT3 crews will compete for the title. The CarGuy team and drivers James Calado, Kei Cozzolino and Takeshi Kimura are favourites after dominating the season with three wins in three races.
Ferrari titles. After the victory at Buriram, Thailand, in January, the Japanese team holds a 25-point lead over its closest pursuer, Spirit of Race, whose 488 GT3 is crewed by Alessandro Pier Guidi, Oswaldo Negri Junior and Francesco Piovanetti. With 26 points still up for grabs, if Pier Guidi’s crew fails to win pole, the title goes to CarGuy before the race even starts. Calado and Japanese drivers Cozzolino and Kimura just need to finish the race to be out of reach of any other Ferrari crew for the drivers’ title.
On the hunt for Le Mans. Winning titles is not an end in itself as the Asian Le Mans Series offers places in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 4 Hours of Sepang programme starts on Friday with the first free practice session and continues on Saturday with the second free practice session and qualifying. It will conclude on Sunday with the race at 12 pm local time, dawn in Europe.