OKAYAMA: Malaysia's The Pizza Company Team Qi-Meritus driver Earl
Bamber defied the wet and slippery conditions to romp to an easy
victory in the Formula V6 Asia here today.
The Kiwi driver extended his lead in the overall standings when he
took the chequered flag in 45:36.013s, ahead of Isaiah-Ro Charlez
(46:46.648s) and and
Hafiz Koh (46.51.236) Bamber's victory meant that he now leads the
overall standings with 105 points, 22 more than teamamte James
Grunwell.
Grunwell didn't have a good day today as he spurned in the first lap
and had to make up ground on his rivals. To make matters worse, he
went off track while trying to overtake Hafiz.
Bamber said: "This is the first time I raced in such conditions in
this car and I'm delighted to have come out on top.
"I felt for James as he clocked some good times but luck was not on
his side but I'm sure he will be determined to get even in the next
round."
Grunwell said: "Lady Luck was not on my side today but I have no
complains as the car was fantastic. The data showed I matched Earl's
speed so that gives me
hope for the coming rounds."
Team boss Firhat Mokhazani said: "We set competitive times throughout
the weekend and I can't ask for more than that. We had two wins in two
races and are closing in on the drivers' and team championships."
2008 Formula V6 Asia Championship Races 7 & 8 Okayama International Circuit Japan Sat-Sun Oct 25-26
Qualifying
1. Earl Bamber (NZ) The Pizza Company Team Qi-Meritus 1.29.226
2. James Grunwell (Thai) The Pizza Company Team Qi-Meritus) 1.29.954
3. Isaiah-Ro Charlez (Aust) 1.30.149
4. Kevin Chen (USA)1.31.513
5. Robin Tato (Ind) 1.32.852
6. Hafiza Koh (Sin) 1.33.326
7. Michael Ho (Mac) 1.33.331
Race 1 17 laps
1. Earl Bamber The Pizza Company Team Qi-Meritus 25.25.707
2. James Grunwell The Pizza Company Team Qi-Meritus +41.187
3. Isaiah Ro-Charlez +41.719
4. Hafiz Koh +51.728
5. Michael Ho +57.591
6. Mark Williamson +59.453
7. Robin Tato +1.01.791
Fastest lap: Earl Bamber 1 29.311
Race 2 24 laps
1. Earl Bamber The Pizza Company Team Qi-Meritus 45.36.013
2. Isaiah Ro-Charlez+ 1.10.635
3. Hafiz Koh + 1 lap
4. Mark Williamson + 1 lap
5. Dilantha Malagamuwa +2 laps
dnf. Michael Ho, James Grunwell, Robin Tato & Kevin Chen
Fastest lap: Earl Bamber 1.47.580
2008 AFOS Formula V6 Asia Championship
Calendar
Rnds 1 & 2: May 16-18 Sepang Malaysia
Rnds 3 & 4: June 20-22 Sepang Malaysia
Rnds 5 & 6: July 18-20 Sentul Indonesia
Rnds 7 & 8 October 24-16 Okayama Japan
Rnds 9 & 10: Nov 21-23 Shanghai China
