28 Jan 2014 Formula Masters China Series Announces 2014 Season

(Beijing, January 28) China and Asia’s leading international junior single seater series Formula Masters China Series (FMCS)has announced further details of its upcoming 2014 season, with a diverse calendar providing its fledging talent with valuable opportunities to build a comprehensive motorsport foundation.
Established in 2013, the highly anticipated second FMCS season will include races at two Formula 1 circuits and at some of the region’s most prestigious race tracks as the next generation of Chinese and Asian motorsport professionals develop fundamental motorsport skills.

While pre-season testing is already underway, the updated six-round, 18-race 2014 season will begin May 9-11, with three races at China’s Zhuhai International Circuit. Just a few weeks later, the drivers will vie for victory on China’s Formula 1 track, the Shanghai International Circuit from May 23-25.

The series will then move to South Korea for three races from July 18-20, before heading south where they will compete at Malaysia’s Formula 1 track, the Sepang International Circuit, from August 15-17.

As the battle for the 2014 championship heats up, the series returns to China’s Pan Delta Region for a further three races at the Zhuhai International Circuit from September 19-21. A month later, from October 17-19, the FMCS season finale will take place at the Shanghai International Circuit, the scene of last year’s thrilling showdown which saw Aidan Wright crowned the first-ever FMCS champion following the final race of the championship.

FMCS is set for stronger and bigger grids, with new teams and drivers expected for the 2014 season. Supported by Volkswagen Group China and organized by TopSpeed Limited, the efficacyof FMCS in giving young drivers a solid motorsport foundation has already seen several successfully utilize what it has taught them at higher levels of competition. In 2013, Afiq Yazid successfully transitioned to GT racing with victories in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series, while Bao Jin Long, who is also part of the Star Racing Academy, won the 2013 Scirocco R Cup China. This year, former karter and FMCS alumni Andy Chang of Macau, who contested two rounds in 2013, will compete in the British Formula 3 International Series, while Shaun Thong of Hong Kong, who made his series debut at the FMCS Macau Challenge, will move up to the European F3 Open for the 2014 season. With its philosophy of creating a level playing field and a cost-efficient series, the car will remain the same for the 2014 season.

"We are very much looking forward to a highly competitive and fascinating 2014 Formula Masters China Series season,” said Dominic Lyncker, Motorsport Director, Volkswagen Group China.“Our 2014 calendar provides plenty of opportunities for young drivers to gain the necessary track experience to improve and hone their skills, while the variety of circuits ensures will require them to apply their skills, knowledge and instinct to different challenges throughout the season. We are delighted to see our drivers succeed and advance in their motorsport careers. This is exactly what the series has been designed to accomplish, and we look forward to working with the 2014 FMCS drivers to ensure they develop a professional motorsport foundation which will servethem throughout their careers.”

Drivers and teams interested in learning more about the upcoming 2014 season should contact the Formula Masters China Series Manager, Matthijs Hoitink at matthijs@formulamasterschina.com.

2014 Formula Masters China Series Provisional Calendar

Formula Masters China Series Background

Formula Masters China Series (FMCS) is a new Formula series designed to develop young drivers, and adds an exciting new element to the Chinese and Asian motorsport scene.? The focus of the series is to provide an affordable and equitable stage on which to nurture fledgling talent ensuring skill and not financial advantage dictate success on the race track.

FMCS is a one-make series using a state-of-the-art Formula car providing both performance and safety. With a Tatuus FA010 Carbon composite monocoque, FIA F3 homologated chassis and a 2.0 Formula engine providing 180 HP, the FMCS race car is both competitive and cost-efficient.
The series is organized by Volkswagen Group China and TopSpeed Limited. FMCS will become an ideal source of new local talent for existing VGC motorsport events.