Porsche 997 GT3 Cup now available for testing

Asia Racing Team’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 997) will available for testing and training programmes from 7th of June.

This car twice won Porsche Carrera Cup Asia races in 2009 with ART Driver Coach Rodolfo Avila at the wheel, and it’s the perfect learning car for Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and GT series beginners.

The 911 GT3 Cup is tailor-made for customer motorsport with engine output increased to 420 bhp. Weighing 1,150 kg in race trim, the car has a power-to-weight ratio of 2.7 kg per horsepower. The sequential six-speed transmission with interruption of engine power enables the driver to shift up under full throttle without disengaging the clutch, and the car features a braking system with steel discs.

Asia Racing Team (ART Motorsport) is committed to providing the best customer service, which includes offering the most attractive “Open Practice Sessions” packages at the very best prices.

For reservations, please call Sergio Fonseca (+86) 139 280 174 61 or e-mail art@art-motorsports.com.

Avila double podium at season finale

Macau’s Rodolfo Avila closed out the 2009 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season Sunday with a double podium finish at Sepang (Malaysia).

The last round of the year was tough and definitely a rewarding result for the Asia Racing Team and Avila, who rallied through a successful campaign through a gruelling first Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season. The respectable results achieved by the series’ newest team and youngest driver include six podium finishes, two victories and one pole position.

After qualifying fifth, Race 1 saw Avila doing a poor start losing one position. However, by lap 3, the Macanese driver cunningly overtook Danny Chu, and in turn, took the opportunity to sprint pass Mok Weng Sun but it was already too late to catch the three leading drivers. Christian Menzel’s 10 seconds penalty promoted Asia Racing Team’s driver to third. The thrilling final race saw Avila returning to the podium. The 22 years old driver lost one position to Menzel at the start and a couple of seconds in the first laps. Mid-way through the 20-lap race, Avila made a tremendous come back and took the fight to Darryl O’Young, passing the reigning champion to finish third right behind the 2009 champion Menzel.

Commenting on his weekend, Avila said, “Overall I am very happy with the results we achieved this weekend. In qualifying I was fifth, and that obviously brought my confidence back up a bit but we bounced back this Sunday. The first race wasn’t easy but we got back to our real pace in the Race 2. In the end I was a bit quicker than Christian but I decided to step back because they were fighting for the championship title.”

Duarte Alves, Avila’s racing engineer since Indonesian round, add “The two Friday’s Free Practice sessions on wet didn’t help us to solve the car problem we faced at Shanghai. The car was perfect in the rain but the problems were back on the dry qualifying. We did some changes in the car for the Sunday’s races but we were not able to test it. The car gave us a good response and we were back on the front pace again.”

For Avila, it was a positive end to what has been an impressive debut by the young Macau racer:  “I wasn’t expecting to win or get podiums, especially against drivers like Christian, Tim and Darryl who have tons more experience than me and are top European racers. It was very good and difficult year with a tiny budget but I’m quite happy with my season. This year, year of the tenth anniversary of Macau SAR, we showed everybody that is possible to put together a credible and competitive outfit in Asian motorsports with local driver, team crew, and sponsors. Nobody did this before at this level.“

In the end of the season Avila shows great gratitude to his sponsors and supporters who help him carry out such results: “I would like to thank the whole team for their hard work this year and my sponsors for their astonishing support during the season. I must say that having such a strong support network, especially with The Venetian Macao coming on board, has helped boost the overall confidence and motivation for every member of the team when we were in verge to stop“, said the driver sponsored by The Venetian Macao, BNU, Macau, RPmacau, PAL Asiaconsult, Fat Siu Lau, Sujika Crafts, Asia Creative Group (Thailand), TsingTao/San Chon Hong Macau, Sands Macau and The Plaza.

Rodolfo Avila will be busy showcasing his car in its home territory and preparing for the next season.

Strong backing propels Avila to a great season finale


Macau’s Rodolfo Avila is ready to take on one of the nicest race tracks in Asia this weekend when the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) series heads to the season finale at Sepang, Malaysia.

Despite the technical problems which prevented a podium result at Shanghai Round 6, Avila is aiming for a strong finish this weekend in Malaysia.

The 22 years old Macanese driver knows the Malaysian track very well and is still looking for a top-3 position in championship standings. 

Commenting on the weekend ahead, Avila said: “I hope this weekend that everything will come together and we will solve the problem we had in Shanghai. If we can run a solid race I am sure we can get into the podium, which has to be the aim in Malaysia. I want to close it off with a good result. Everyone involved in the team deserves a great season finale especially The Venetian Macao who came on board right on time to save my season.”

The Venetian Macao, BNU, Macau, RPmacau, PAL Asiaconsult, Fat Siu Lau Restaurant, Sujika Crafts, Asia Creative Group (Thailand), TsingTao/San Chon Hong Macau, Sands Macau and The Plaza sponsored driver has shone in his first Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season, impressing with two wins, in Zhuhai and Indonesia, plus four podiums so far.

The Asia Racing Team driver was a serious PCCA championship-contender for most of the year but he missed his home race, the Macau Grand Prix.

“It was very sad I confess. It was the first time since I started my racing car career that I missed Macau Grand Prix. I didn’t race but it was a challenging new experience. I was TV and Radio commentator for one weekend as well as driver coach of my team in Formula BMW Pacific race. 2009 season priority has been the PCCA  and I am still in contention for third spot. I know it’s going to be tough to get there but at least I tried”, held Avila.

Asia Racing Team’s race engineer Duarte Alves, add: “It was a real shame that the problems we had in Shanghai meant we couldn’t show our full potential. We are going to try different solutions to solve the problem and luckily we have two more free practice sessions than usual. It will be crucial to make the most of free practice and then do well in qualifying, as that is a key factor in PCCA. I am confident we might have the competitive car Rodolfo needs to get back to the podium positions. I am looking forward to getting some good result on the board.“

Racing action at Sepang starts on Friday, with qualifying on Saturday evening. The two 20-laps races will be held on Sunday.

Avila close to the podium at Shanghai

Rodolfo Avila finished in fourth place twice in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia races at the Shanghai International Circuit (China) this Sunday.

The second place on Friday’s Free Practice gave hopes of one more outstanding weekend performance but Avila began to struggle with understeer in the day after. On Saturday’s qualifying Avila was just fourth fastest at the end of the single 30-minute session. Having made significant changes to the set-up in advance of the races, The Venetian Macao driver had hoped for a better finish but the number 20 car’s handling had been evil all weekend.
After 11 laps of thrilling excitement, 22-year old Avila of Asia Racing Team, finished the morning race in fourth. Early morning rain left parts of the circuit slightly wet, affecting the drivers on the inside off the start.  As a result, Avila lost one position, getting it back two laps after an excellent overtaking maneuver at the hairpin.

In the afternoon 12-laps race the driver sponsored by The Venetian Macao, BNU, Macau, RPmacau, PAL Asiaconsult, Fat Siu Lau Restaurant, Sujika Crafts, Asia Creative Group (Thailand), TsingTao Beer/San Chon Hong Macau, Sands Macao and The Plaza initially battled hard with last year PCCA champion, with the Macanese ace ultimately letting his opponent go in the latter half of the race instead of taking unnecessary risks.

Avila, commenting on the races, said “We’ve changed many things, but the car still behaves the same. I believe everyone in the team did his best to solve the massive understeer but we couldn’t find a solution. Of course I am a bit disappointed as I was eyeing a podium result this weekend and I know what I can do in this track but I still have a chance to win again this season. That’s my goal for the last round. One last word to thanks The Venetian Macao and Sands Macao guests for their support, and for leaving a positive message on the PCCA paddock.”

In the end of the weekend Asia Racing Team’s Race Engineer Duarte Alves shared the same feeling with Avila: “We definitely can do better than fourth but Rodolfo had an unpredictable car during the weekend. We used the same setup of the past Shanghai race weekend when he got the Pole-Position. We tried everything on the car and the response was always the same or worse. Something is definitely wrong with the car but we need time to understand what it is.”

2009 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season finale will happen next month at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, where Rounds 12 and 13 will be run as part of the Malaysian Super Series from December 5-6.

Avila eyes good result in Shanghai

Rodolfo Avila is heading for one more tough challenge this year as Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) racing action will resume after one month break at the Shanghai International Circuit, China. The highlight of the 6th round of the series will be the new colors of Asia Racing Team’s Porsche 997 GT3 Cup that will change from green and white to The Venetian Macao’s black and golden.

The PCCA first round of the season was held at Shanghai, a track that evokes good memories for the Macanese ace. In 2004 he was the first ever driver to win a race at the Shanghai International Circuit, and last April he snatched the first “Pole-Position” of the year in PCCA, and raised the Macau flag twice in the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix weekend. In what is proving to be a brilliant Porsche Carrera Cup Asia series debut, Avila continues to prove he is a serious contender for the top-3 with five podium finishes thus far, including victories in Sentul (Indonesia) and Zhuhai (China).

Speaking about the weekend ahead, Avila said, “I know the track very well from the time I drove formula cars in Asia. In April’s race I was one of the quickest drivers but I don’t believe my opponents will make my life easier. I would like to win as it would be the best present I could give to The Venetian Macao for their vital support in the end of this year. Without their support probably I would not be able to finish this season.”

Avila is currently 4th in championship point standings just five points behind the last year Porsche Carrera Cup Asia champion. The driver sponsored by The Venetian Macao, BNU, Macau, RPmacau, PAL Asiaconsult, Fat Siu Lau Restaurant, Sujika Crafts, Asia Creative Group (Thailand), TsingTao Beer/San Chon Hong Macau, Sands Macao and The Plaza hopes to finish the season in the top 3.

Team Race Engineer Duarte Alves added, “After the good performance he had shown in the previous Shanghai round we are looking forward podium positions. He has more experience with the car now, and we have collected important data from the previous races. Of course we would like to win and we’ll be pushing really hard from the first practice session to make that possible. Sincerely I believe in a good weekend, especially after half season where Rodolfo adapted very well to the Porsche Cup driving style and grew up as a GT driver”.

Avila goes to the track on Friday, November 6, for the first two 30 minutes Practice sessions. Qualifying for Round 10 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia will be held on Saturday, November 7, and the two 11 laps-races are scheduled for Sunday, November 8.