Hong Kong’s WIN Motorsport rounded out their debut season in the ultra-competitive Asian Le Mans Series with a second podium in the final round after a grueling four hours of unrelenting attack in the searing heat of Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit.
The team, founded by owner and driver William Lok less than 12 months ago, rose to the challenge of their more experienced rivals to power through to take the final podium place in the last of the four-round 2017/18 season.
Not only did WIN Motorsport have to contend with the scorching Malaysian heat, with track temperatures in excess of 45 degrees Celsius, but in such a competitive arena, finding the ideal set-up for the Ligier JS P3 LMP3 was crucial. Despite a number of unlucky technical glitches – which have added to the challenge all season – and the ideal set up continuing to elude them, teamwork and determination saw the WIN Motorsport trio of Lok, Le Mans 24 Hour-winner Richard Bradley and Philippe Descombes celebrate the conclusion of the team’s first Asian Le Mans Series campaign on the podium.
Winning the Asian Le Mans Series Sprint Cup title in August 2017, the newly-formed team embarked upon their debut Asian Le Mans Series championship in October last year, with the opening round at China’s Zhuhai International Circuit followed by a second four-hour race at Japan’s Fuji International Circuit.
Starting 2018 with renewed determination, WIN Motorsport took its first podium finish after the championship’s first six hour race, at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit, despite a severe steering rack problem. Building on that momentum, WIN Motorsport ensured they finished the season on a high, and months of hard work were rewarded with a second visit to the winners’ rostrum.
While the Asian Le Mans Series season may be over, there will be no let-up in preparations for the WIN Motorsport duo of Lok and Bradley on their Silk Road to Le Mans®. Coming up in just a few short months is the prestigious Road to Le Mans, where they will be back in action on France’s celebrated 13.6km Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans. Last year WIN Motorsport took a memorable top 10 finish there against the ultra-competitive, 50-strong international field. This year, the second of the two races, which are the official support events for the famous Le Mans 24 Hours, will again be held in front of 250,000 spectators on the morning of the greatest endurance race in the world.
WIN Motorsport Quotes:
William Lok, WIN Motorsport Owner and Driver
“To get a good result you need a good team around you. You have to make sure the numbers are right, that there are no mistakes in the pit lane, that the preparation is flawless. This is what we did, so our podium finish was well deserved for the whole team.
As a newly-developed team, to come away with the Sprint Cup championship was certainly a confidence booster. However, when you look at the LMP3 grid in the Asian Le Mans Series, it is by far the best I’ve ever seen in Asia; definitely on a par with Europe.
We had some bad luck at the beginning of the season, but the whole team did a great job and Richard gave it his all. Our partner Gulf Oil Southeast Asia has been great. The team will continue to grow and more success will definitely come. Our first season has been a great learning curve, and I have no doubt WIN Motorsport will rise stronger.”
Richard Bradley, WIN Motorsport Driver
“If you look at how other teams have done in their first year, you can see it can take two years to achieve success. For WIN Motorsport to have two podiums in their first Asian Le Mans Series, I think we’ve done a very, very good job. I think it’s fair to say that without the puncture and the engine problem we would have been very competitive in Zhuhai and Fuji as well. Of course there have been struggles along the way, but we’ve done a fantastic job. I feel very confident about the future for WIN Motorsport!”
