AP: Indonesia round seven summary

Brilliant Win for Yamaji in First Ever Japanese 1-2 Finish

Tomo Racing's Shinichi Yamaji scored a brilliant victory in Round 7 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia today at Indonesia's 4km Sentul Circuit. Grabbing the lead at the start from pole- sitter and fellow countryman Keita Sawa of Cref Motorsports, the Japanese ace was oblivious to the pressure of the chasing pack behind him. Sawa's 2nd place finish gave the series its first ever Japanese 1-2 finish, while Championship leader Darryl O'Young's 3rd place ensured that he and his Team Jebsen remain at the top of the leaderboard.

The start of the 15-lap race was characteristically chaotic, with Yamaji emerging at the front of the field. O'Young, from third on the grid, made an aggressive start, but a mistake allowed both Sawa and Albon to get by and he dropped back to 4th. However, the Hong Kong driver piled on the pressure, forcing Albon to make an error and getting by.

Yamaji, winner of Round 2 of the series in March, was 3rd on the leaderboard going in to Round 7. He was delighted to have taken the second win of his inaugural Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season: "My start was very good, and I believe that is the reason I won. The set up was great, and any problems I've had this weekend just disappeared!JDarryl and Sawa were close, so I was aware of them, but I think I drove a good race."

O'Young, meanwhile, admitted he hasn't been able to match the pace of the two quick Japanese drivers this weekend: "I had a decent start, but Nigel got inside me. I braked a bit early and Keita and Nigel got past -- one on the inside and the other on the outside!"

Fourth across the line was SCC Racing's Charoensukhawatana Nattavude, who put on the kind of charge his has become famous for, having qualified way back in 9th, but which he modestly put down to "magic". Behind him was team mate and fellow Thai, Vutthikorn Inthraphuvasak, who got a good start but lost time with a gear shift problem.JHefinished ahead of Team Vertu's Nigel Albon, who had an eventful race having been 3rd at one stage:J"I moved over to the side of the circuit at the start to avoid Darryl. My tyres picked up some dirt which, under braking, meant I went wide. I avoided the gravel, but it took me a couple of laps to get back. The advantage on new tyres definitely comes in the first four or five laps, and I lost those. It was always going to be tough out there, but I'm looking forward to the next race -- watch this space!" he warned.

In Class B, it was category leader Geoff Morgan of Australia who took the honours. Second, and his best result to date, was Ricardo Proost, putting on a truly remarkable show having started almost from the back of the grid after a miserable qualifying session, and feeling very much under the weather. Proost made a lightning start, and had overtaken four cars by the first turn. Third across the line was another Australian, Rusty French.

Said Morgan: "I didn't get the perfect start, and we were all bunched up into Turn 1 and 2, so it was pretty hectic. I got some space and held on from there.JI'd set my tyre pressure for more towards the end of the race, so the first few laps were particularly tough. The track is very fast and a good test of braking and a driver's ability to think his way round a circuit. I've enjoyed it."

French enjoyed a good battle with Proost, with the pair dueling it out over 15 exhausting laps: "I didn't have a very good start and Ricardo got beside and then around me. I tried as hard as I could without slipping off the circuit!"

The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia continues this afternoon with Round 8, also over 15 laps.

-porsche.asia-