17 Mar 2013 Shigetomo Shimono Wins Race Round 1 of 2013 AFR Serieseason Opener
Buzz Racing’s Japanese driver Shigetomo Shimono won Race 1 of the 2013 AFR Series, surpassing pole position driver Julio Acosta from start to the finish. Acosta came second, while Yuki Shiraishi, who started at the back, drove through the field and claimed the final podium spot in 3rd.
At the start, 3rd place qualifier Yuan Bo failed to start as the cars behind him weaved by to pass him narrowly without causing any major incident. Meanwhile, FRD’s Samson Chan spun off at Turn 1 and retired immediately. On Lap 2, ART’s Swiss diver Thomas Luedi had a major engine explosion that we so dramatic, even television viewers could see the enormous cloud of smoke. He then spun out on his own oil.
As Luedi’s car left a lot of oil on the track, the safety car was deployed immediately. The safety car leaded for 4 laps and then withdrew with only 5 laps left.
After the restart, Shimono was pressured by Julio Acosta but still managed to bring his car to the chequered flag in 1st place. Acosta had chances to pass Shimono in the closing stages but was not able to get enough run on Shimono for a pass, and finished 2nd. Yuki Shiraishi, who set the fastest lap of 1:37.296, came from the back of the pack and claimed a sensational 3rd. The only female driver, Alexandra Asmasoebrata, temporarily made it to third place and had a spectacular dogfight with teammate Sunny Wong, but was passed by Shiraishi in the closing stages and came home 4th.
In Asian Class, Taiwan Star Roy Chiu claimed a popular victory as he finished first in class. Yuan Bo from China came home 2nd, while Jason Kang overcame a gearbox problem at the start to finish 3rd in class. Timothy Teo, who led the class for much of the race, retired because of mechanical problem.
ART’s Leo Wong dominated Master Class with a win. Experience Singapore driver Kenneth Low claimed second, while debutant Taiwanese movie director Jem Chen completed the podium.
The second race of the week will start at 3:30pm on Sunday.
| Pos | No | Class | Driver | Team | Laps | Time |
|
1
|
23
|
Int
|
Shigetomo Shimono
|
Buzz Racing
|
10
|
21:38.099
|
|
2
|
91
|
Int
|
Julio Acosta
|
Champ Motorsport
|
10
|
21:38.717
|
|
3
|
22
|
Int
|
Yuki Shiraishi
|
Buzz Racing
|
10
|
21:41.189
|
|
4
|
15
|
Int
|
Alexandra Asmasoebrata
|
PS Racing
|
10
|
21:45.425
|
|
5
|
12
|
Int
|
Sunny Wong
|
PS Racing
|
10
|
21:45.999
|
|
6
|
18
|
Asian
|
Roy Chiu
|
PTRS Racing Team
|
10
|
21:46.687
|
|
7
|
8
|
Asian
|
Yuan Bo
|
Champ Motorsport
|
10
|
21:51.567
|
|
8
|
20
|
Int
|
Pete Olson
|
PS Racing
|
10
|
21:53.940
|
|
9
|
11
|
Asian
|
Jason Kang
|
KRC Racing Team
|
10
|
21:55.889
|
|
10
|
82
|
Masters
|
Leo Wong
|
Asia Racing Team
|
10
|
21:58.525
|
|
11
|
69
|
Masters
|
Kenneth Low
|
Asia Racing Team
|
10
|
22:00.230
|
|
12
|
14
|
Masters
|
Jem Chen
|
PTRS Racing Team
|
10
|
22:06.103
|
|
DNF
|
51
|
Asian
|
Tim Teo
|
Asia Racing Team
|
6
|
15:10.640
|
|
DNF
|
9
|
Masters
|
Thomas Luedi
|
Asia Racing Team
|
1
|
01:50.756
|
|
DNF
|
33
|
Masters
|
Samson Chan
|
FRD Racing Team
|
0
|
No time
|