Audi R8 LMS Cup: Championship down to the wire in final race of the season

Beijing/Macau, November 7, 2013 – The Audi R8 LMS Cup heads to the streets of Macau for its season finale with Alex Yoong and Adderly Fong racing for the driver's championship. Malaysian star Yoong has a 24 point advantage over Fong and only needs one more point to secure the title. But nothing can be taken for granted at the spectacular Guia Circuit. The season finale (watch live at www.audir8lmscup.com) will be further enriched by guest drivers "Mr. Macau" Edoardo Mortara, who joins from the German Touring Car Championship (DTM), and local Macanese favourite André Couto. Both will drive for the Chinese motorsport outfit Brothers Racing Team.

"We have seen a fantastic year for the Audi R8 LMS Cup. The championship will only be decided at the final race. The level of competition has been very high throughout the season. This makes our cup attractive even for global top drivers, as you can see from the entry of Edoardo Mortara and André Couto in Macau," commented Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia. "Alex Yoong had a very consistent season in the top ranks and is now in an excellent position to win the championship. But surprises can happen at this type of technical street-race circuit. I am sure Adderly Fong will show the same strong determination to fight for the title as he has throughout the season. Let's look forward to an exciting finale of the 2013 Audi R8 LMS Cup."

The outcome of the championship could be known as early as Saturday morning after qualifying. With a point awarded to the driver achieving pole, Yoong can wrap up the title with a top draw qualifying lap. He would then lead Fong by 25 points but his four wins this season would mean that even if Fong won and Yoong didn't score he would be guaranteed the title based on the greater number of wins. "Mr. Macau" Mortara brings a wealth of circuit experience to Macau after making history as the only driver to win the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix twice (2009 & 2010). For the past two years he partnered with Audi Sport customer racing, standing atop the podium at the Macau GT Cup in both 2011 and 2012. This season, he has been driving for Audi in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM). The two guest drivers Mortara and Couto will add extra spice to the finale. But they will not score points. If, for example, they finish one-two on the podium , the third place driver will score the full 25 points which are, by regulations, awarded to a regular race winner.

The finale of the 2013 season will also be part of the wider celebrations for the Diamond Jubilee Festival for the 60th anniversary of the Macau Grand Prix. The Macau Guia Circuit is the most challenging track on the Audi R8 LMS Cup calendar. The only street circuit featured in the championship, it is 6.2km in length with 19 turns. The circuit is noted for its tight turns, surprising hills, and often bumpy surface. Drivers and engineers will need to be at their best to ensure the right set-up to meet the challenges of this demanding race where, more often than not, a good grid position in qualifying is essential.