ATCC: Everland Speedway Saturday qualifying results

Porsche Asian Challenge (Motorsport Asia Ltd.)
Everland Speedway Circuit, Korea, 22 September 2001

Qualifying Day Action!

Philip Ma Takes Pole Position in Korea's First Porsche Race Tomorrow, Makes It A Double in Second Qualifying Session

Philip Ma fended off a last minute attack from Samson Chan to grab pole position for tomorrow's Porsche Asian Challenge (PAC) Race 1.

Philip managed to hold on to the pole by less than 0.1 seconds, with a time of 1:09.858. Seeing a clear chance to take pole, Samson Chan in his Porsche GT3 RS made a last minute effort by going out a few minutes before the end of the session. Instead, his car suffered damage on the very last lap before coming in, but still hung on to second spot with a time of 1:09.940.

"I was on my last lap before coming into the pits, I heard a loud `clunk', and the gear box seized, and that was the end of my lap," he said after the session. His car had to be towed into the pits and his mechanics were seen rushing to prepare his car for the second qualifying session later in the evening. That was not to happen though, as his car was stuck in the pits for the Race 2 qualifying session.

Philip Ma managed to improve on his times during the second qualifying round though, and maintained pole position for the second race of the day as well tomorrow. "I was actually quite lucky to qualify on pole in the second session," he said. "Alex (Yan) and Dick (Lau) were very quick and pushing me quite hard, and that's probably why I am faster in this session than I was during the last," he added.

"But because the circuit is very short and very technical with it's many twists and turns, I feel the 993's (the older 911 model, which is air-cooled) are better suited for this circuit with its shorter wheel base. Still, I think it's going to be a tight race tomorrow," said Philip.

Alex Yan managed to qualify 3rd and 2nd in the Race 1 and 2 qualifiers respectively today. "The 2nd qualifying session was much easier, as I wasn't caught up in traffic unlike the first one. Now I'm going to concentrate on catching up with Philip. Let's see how it goes tomorrow," said Alex.

<pre> Results P NO Name/Nat Best Lap On Lap Team/Car

Qualifying Results - Porsche Asian Challenge Race 1 1. 89 Philip MA (HK) 1:09.858 2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2. 1 Samson CHAN (HK) 1:09.940 12 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 3. 99 Alex YAN (HK) 1:10.122 4 Porsche 993 RSR 4. 5 Dick LAU (HK) 1:10.123 12 Porsche 993 RSR 5. 9 SIU Tit Lung (HK) 1:10.233 14 Porsche GT3 Cup

Qualifying Results - Porsche Asian Challenge Race 2 1. 89 Philip MA (HK) 1:09.674 6 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2. 99 Alex YAN (HK) 1:09.674 20 Porsche 993 RSR 3. 5 Dick LAU (HK) 1:10.790 16 Porsche 993 RSR 4. 9 SIU Tit Lung (HK) 1:10.812 19 Porsche GT3 Cup 5. 3 Jimmy CHUNG (HK) 1:11.224 15 Porsche GT3 Cup

-AFOS/MA-