Ferrari Challenge APAC – Danindro doubles at Melbourne, Zang and Dicker can celebrate too

Posted: 25.03.2018
Source: Ferrari

Melbourne, 25 March 2018 – There was no wet drama at today’s Race-2 of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Asia Pacific Series first round at Melbourne. In stark contrast to Saturday’s heavy downpour, it was clear blue skies this morning where Danindro led from start to finish. It was a fierce battle the moment the lights turned green. Speed of the approaches can catch the best drivers out and Formula One race starts from past years support that fact. And that was exactly what had transpired at Turn 1 which saw lots of drama as the 488 Challenge race drivers battled to get ahead. Turn 1 contact involving several drivers ended the race for some including local driver Martin Berry. Many cars sustained damage in the pile up, which saw Tani Hanna from Lebanon take evasive action and make up plenty of spots after starting rear of grid. Both he and Hector Lester from Ireland had strong races recovering well.

Trofeo Pirelli. Indonesian Rama Danindro once again dictated the pace in his 488 Challenge car. The action in the lead pack was intense with Danindro, fellow compatriot Renaldi Hutasoit, and American James Weiland all dicing, and Italian Philippe Prette showing his championship winning form fighting his way up into the lead pack. Hutasoit managed to overtake Weiland after 2 laps and fought hard till the final lap for the top step of the podium but couldn’t find the extra gear to overtake fellow countryman Danindro. Alex Au, a returning driver from Hong Kong, was knocked out of a top 10 finish after another car came into contact with his car mid-race, which lead to the safety car coming out. Danindro showed his experience with yet another perfect restart, building a comfortable margin to the chequered flag. Behind them, Weiland was in third position until the safety car re-emerged. Prette then seized the slight advantage and Weiland was eventually relegated to fourth.

Coppa Shell. The race was just as competitive for the Shell drivers. With yesterday’s class winner Vincent Wong from Hong Kong leading the group, there was a tight battle for first and second places with Tiger Wu of Chinese Taipei and Eric Zang of China. Wong had to retire after a collision in lap 3. Zang then powered ahead to come in first, with Tani Hanna second and Yanbing Xing taking the third spot.

Shell Am. David Dicker from New Zealand took his first victory in the Ferrari Challenge at the Melbourne circuit, holding off his rival Min Xiao from China by more than 3 seconds. Yesterday’s winner Andrew Moon from Korea finished third on the podium. Dicker was also the winner of the Gentlemen Cup and Kanthicha Chimsiri from Thailand taking the Ladies Cup.

Schedule. The next round of the Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific will be held at Hampton Downs in New Zealand from 13th – 15th April.

 

Ferrari Challenge APAC – Maiden wins for Danindro, Wong and Moon in Melbourne

Posted: 24.03.2018
Source: Ferrari

Melbourne, 21 March 2018 – Ferrari Challenge

 

Ferrari Challenge APAC – The battle kicks off in Melbourne

Posted: 21.03.2018
Source: Ferrari

Melbourne, 21 March 2018 – Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Asia Pacific Series is ready to kicks off its eight season on Australia’s iconic Albert Park Grand Prix circuit in Melbourne this weekend. The series will for the first time open at Melbourne’s iconic Albert Park Circuit in support of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, followed by Hampton Downs in New Zealand in April. The official race schedule also includes other Formula 1 race tracks like Shanghai International Circuit, Fuji Speedway and Suzuka Circuit. In September, Ferrari Challenge returns to Singapore once again in support of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, thereafter converging at Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Italy for the Finali Mondiali (World Finals) from 1 to 4 November, where the Asia Pacific race drivers will join those from the Europe and North American Series for the traditional end-of-season celebrations.

Three champions. The current drivers of the 488 Challenge cars will see competition heating up as a few former 458 Challenge EVO drivers have made the jump into this car, including Martin Berry of Australia who was the 2017 Asia Pacific champion in this category. This season will be one of the most competitive as we have a field of champions from the 2017 series; Philippe Prette from Italy and Ken Seto from Japan, champions in their respective categories, will definitely be fighting tooth and nail for the Trofeo Pirelli class championship this season.

Fifteen nationalities. The Ferrari Challenge is open to Ferrari drivers from all over the world, who are divided into three classes; Trofeo Pirelli, Coppa Shell and Coppa Shell AM, split according to their experience and driving level. Amateur drivers will gather in Melbourne representing 15 nationalities, including Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and United States.

Schedule. The Challenge drivers will undertake three rounds of practice sessions this week, with the first race on Saturday 24 March at 10:45 AM local time and the second race on Sunday 25 March at 10:50 AM local time.

 

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