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Asia Racing Team (also known as ART Motorsports) is a
Chinese Chinese may refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people identified with China, through nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **Han Chinese, East Asian ethnic group native to China. **'' Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic ...
- Macanese motor racing team that was formed in 2003. Its main operational headquarters are located within the
Zhuhai International Circuit Zhuhai International Circuit (ZIC) () is located at Jin Ding town in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China. Motorsport started in Zhuhai when it hosted a race on its Zhuhai Street Circuit, street circuit in 1993. Racing continued there until ...
complex in
Southern China Northern China () and Southern China () are two approximate regions that display certain differences in terms of their geography, demographics, economy, and culture. Extent The Qinling–Daba Mountains serve as the transition zone between ...
, with a second workshop in
Zhaoqing Zhaoqing ( zh, c=肇庆), alternately romanized as Shiuhing, is a prefecture-level city in Guangdong Province, China. As of the 2020 census, its population was 4,113,594, with 1,553,109 living in the built-up (or metro) area made of Duanz ...
's
Guangdong International Circuit Guangdong International Circuit is a motor sport facility located at Da Wang, Sihui, in Zhaoqing city in China, approx 45 mins by car from Guangzhou. Designed by a female Chinese designer Qiming Yao, it is the second permanent motor sport facilit ...
. The organization business operation includes an auto racing team, the organization of a racing school, corporate track days and promotional events. The racing team has competed in a number of high-profile championships including the
Asian Formula Renault Series The Formula Renault AsiaCup (formerly known as the Asian Formula Renault Challenge and AFR Series) is a Formula Regional championship held in Asia. The series debuted in 2002 and also held the ''China Formula Renault Challenge''. The series is a ...
, Formula Asia 2.0,
Formula Pilota China Formula Masters China, FMCS () (previously known as Formula Pilota China), was a single-seater racing series based in Asia. The series was created in 2011 after the success of the Formula Abarth championship that was created a year before. Eve ...
, Formula BMW Pacific, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, Malaysian Super Series,
GT Asia Series The GT Asia Series was a sports car racing series based in Asia. The championship combines Group GT3, FIA GT3 specification cars as the elite class of the series with Ferrari Challenge, Porsche Cup and older GT3 machinery competing in the GTM cl ...
and
TCR Asia Series The TCR Asia Series is an annual touring car racing event that is held at various locations across Asia. History TCR Asia Series was announced on 14 August 2014 by the organisation behind the TCR series under the name TC3 Asia Series - later cha ...
.


Team Management

Philippe Descombes (Team Manager) The overall operation of the company is managed by motor racing multi-titlist Frenchman, Philippe Descombes. He, who is fluent in Mandarin, was the man to help the launch single seaters careers of several successful Asian drivers, including
Cheng Congfu Cheng "Frankie" Congfu (程丛夫; pinyin: Chéng Cóng Fū; born August 15, 1984) is a Chinese racing driver. Career Karting In 1996, Cheng raced in karting in China, winning the national championship in 1998 (junior division), 2000 and 2001 ...
,
Ma Qinghua Ma Qinghua () (born 25 December 1987) is a Chinese racing driver currently competing in the World Touring Car Cup with Cyan Performance Lynk & Co. Ma became the first Chinese driver to win an FIA World Championship race when he won race ...
,
Rodolfo Ávila Rodolfo Ávila (born 19 February 1987 in Lisbon, Portugal) is a Macanese people, Macanese racing driver. He is the 2021 TCR China Touring Car Championship, 2021 TCR China champion, having won it with MG Motor, Team MG Xpower. Career *2002: Champ ...
,
Mathias Beche Mathias Beche Aussel (born 28 June 1986 in Geneva) is a Swiss-French professional racing driver who currently competes in the European Le Mans Series for Richard Mille by TDS. He is a former ELMS champion in the LMP2 class, as well as an LMP1-L ...
,
Alexandre Imperatori Alexandre Emmanuel Imperatori (born 19 April 1987 in Châtel-Saint-Denis) is a Switzerland, Swiss racing driver who lives in Shanghai, China. Career Karting Imperatori started kart racing at the age of four in Spain. He raced karting in Spai ...
,
Jazeman Jaafar Jazeman Firhan bin Jaafar (born 13 November 1992) is a Malaysian racing driver. Career Karting Jazeman started his career at a tender age of 6 in Shah Alam, Malaysia. A hobby which turned to a full time career, Jazeman has won a total Eleve ...
, or
Rio Haryanto Rio Haryanto (born 22 January 1993) is an Indonesian businessman and former racing driver, who competed in Formula One at 12 Grands Prix in . Haryanto remains the only Indonesian driver to compete in Formula One. Born and raised in Surakarta ...
. Yannick Mazier (Chief Mechanic) Frenchman Yannick Mazier is with ART since the first day and leads a 12-man mechanics in the workshop based at Zhuhai International Circuit.


History

The Asia Racing Team, Ltd. (ART Motorsports) is a company registered in
China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
and in
Macau Macau or Macao is a special administrative regions of China, special administrative region of the People's Republic of China (PRC). With a population of about people and a land area of , it is the most List of countries and dependencies by p ...
with assets amounting to more than RMB 10 million. Its main operational headquarters is located within the Zhuhai International Circuit complex, in southern China. Team Highlights: 2003: A group of successful Macau entrepreneurs creates ART to compete in Asian Formula Renault Challenge – the first race of the team was the 50th Macau Grand Prix. 2004: First full season of racing in Asian Formula Renault, finishing 2nd (
Rodolfo Ávila Rodolfo Ávila (born 19 February 1987 in Lisbon, Portugal) is a Macanese people, Macanese racing driver. He is the 2021 TCR China Touring Car Championship, 2021 TCR China champion, having won it with MG Motor, Team MG Xpower. Career *2002: Champ ...
). 2005: ART wins Asian Formula Renault Macau Grand Prix (Hiroyuki Matsumura). 2006: ART conquers Asian Formula Renault's Teams title for the first time and finishes 2nd (
Alexandre Imperatori Alexandre Emmanuel Imperatori (born 19 April 1987 in Châtel-Saint-Denis) is a Switzerland, Swiss racing driver who lives in Shanghai, China. Career Karting Imperatori started kart racing at the age of four in Spain. He raced karting in Spai ...
). 2007: ART finished 2nd (
Alexandre Imperatori Alexandre Emmanuel Imperatori (born 19 April 1987 in Châtel-Saint-Denis) is a Switzerland, Swiss racing driver who lives in Shanghai, China. Career Karting Imperatori started kart racing at the age of four in Spain. He raced karting in Spai ...
) again in Asian Formula Renault Challenge. 2008: The team was 2nd (
Mathias Beche Mathias Beche Aussel (born 28 June 1986 in Geneva) is a Swiss-French professional racing driver who currently competes in the European Le Mans Series for Richard Mille by TDS. He is a former ELMS champion in the LMP2 class, as well as an LMP1-L ...
) in Formula Asia 2.0 and wins Asian Drivers Trophy (
Rio Haryanto Rio Haryanto (born 22 January 1993) is an Indonesian businessman and former racing driver, who competed in Formula One at 12 Grands Prix in . Haryanto remains the only Indonesian driver to compete in Formula One. Born and raised in Surakarta ...
). ART returns to Macau Grand Prix, making the first appearance in Formula BMW Pacific. 2009: The team entered a new era, giving the first steps into GT racing, participating in
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Porsche Carrera Cup (sometimes abbreviated PCC) is a number of One-Design, one-make racing by Porsche premier series competed with, initially Porsche 911 Carrera Cup, then later Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. The cars are specifically built by Porsc ...
with two overall victories and best rookie (
Rodolfo Ávila Rodolfo Ávila (born 19 February 1987 in Lisbon, Portugal) is a Macanese people, Macanese racing driver. He is the 2021 TCR China Touring Car Championship, 2021 TCR China champion, having won it with MG Motor, Team MG Xpower. Career *2002: Champ ...
). ART took AFR Championship Teams title and drivers’ classification first runner up (Luis Sa Silva). Contested the Formula BMW Pacific Macau Grand Prix and Singapore Grand Prix rounds. 2010: Asia Racing Team clinched the AFR Series’ team championship while Sandy Stuvik clinched the Driver points championship, followed by his teammate Tin Sritrai, and the “Asian Drivers Category”. 2011: The team run for the first time two Porsche GT3 Cup-R in
GT Asia Series The GT Asia Series was a sports car racing series based in Asia. The championship combines Group GT3, FIA GT3 specification cars as the elite class of the series with Ferrari Challenge, Porsche Cup and older GT3 machinery competing in the GTM cl ...
and was in competition for the drivers' championship until the last round at Macau. At the same time the red and black squad embarked in another Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season with a line up of three drivers. The year was also marked by the withdrawn of the team from AFR Series at full-time to primarily focus in Formula Pilota China. Asia Racing Team's Luis Sa Silva was vice-champion. 2012: China's Li Zhi Cong is promoted to ART's
GT Asia Series The GT Asia Series was a sports car racing series based in Asia. The championship combines Group GT3, FIA GT3 specification cars as the elite class of the series with Ferrari Challenge, Porsche Cup and older GT3 machinery competing in the GTM cl ...
squad and manages to be
GT Asia Series The GT Asia Series was a sports car racing series based in Asia. The championship combines Group GT3, FIA GT3 specification cars as the elite class of the series with Ferrari Challenge, Porsche Cup and older GT3 machinery competing in the GTM cl ...
vice-champion and AAMC GT Challenge Trophy winner at first try. Thomas Chow has sweated to secure the second place in AFR Series - IFC Class. 2013: Li Zhi Cong seals
GT Asia Series The GT Asia Series was a sports car racing series based in Asia. The championship combines Group GT3, FIA GT3 specification cars as the elite class of the series with Ferrari Challenge, Porsche Cup and older GT3 machinery competing in the GTM cl ...
championship title and repeats AAMC GT Challenge Trophy win. Leo Wong wins AFR Series IFC Class Trophy. 2014: The team repeats the full season participation in
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Porsche Carrera Cup (sometimes abbreviated PCC) is a number of One-Design, one-make racing by Porsche premier series competed with, initially Porsche 911 Carrera Cup, then later Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. The cars are specifically built by Porsc ...
and AFR Series, winning the first edition of the 2-hour “Circuit Hero – Formula Enduro” and the four rounds of GT series BOSS GP (Li Chao). 2015: The team joins the newly founded
TCR Asia Series The TCR Asia Series is an annual touring car racing event that is held at various locations across Asia. History TCR Asia Series was announced on 14 August 2014 by the organisation behind the TCR series under the name TC3 Asia Series - later cha ...
, conquering the Teams’ Championship and Drivers’ Vice-championship ( Rodolfo Avila) and second runner up (Philippe Descombes). At same time the team keeps collecting race wins in AFR Series and FIA Chinese F4, where Liu Kai finished third overall.


Racing School

The Racing School is the only formal driver training course recognized by both the Hong Kong Automobile Association (HKAA) and the Associação Geral Automóvel Macau-China (AAMC). The organization of a monthly course continues to be popular among the young and elder alike from students to corporate decision-makers. In 2008 the Racing School introduced the "One-Day Intensive Course", which were designed for racecar beginners and hobbyists, making it possible for both younger and older generations. In 2016 a low-cost "4-lap Driving Experience" was introduced giving the opportunity to those willing to drive a real single seater racecar at the Zhuhai International Circuit. ART Motorsports Racing School also owns the only 2-seater single seater in Southeast Asia for promotional activities and racing experiences.


Formula Pilota China

In 2011 Asia Racing Team turned their heads from AFR Series to the newly established single seater championship in the region - the "Formula Pilota China Series" - with an impressive four car line up: China's Chi Cong Li and Naomi Zhang Ran, raced alongside Angola's Luis Sá Silva and Thailand's Tin Sritrai. Sá Silva was vice-champion but the team highlight was the podium swap in Race 1 at Ordos. In 2012 Guangzhou native rookie driver Zou Si Rui was the team's only racer in the championship, claiming two podium finishes at Guangzhou International Circuit.


Results


Asian Formula Renault

Throughout its history the team primarily competed in Asian Formula Renault Challenge, with past drivers including F1 Championship drivers such as Kamui Kobayashi or Kazuki Nakajima. After several tries, and five vice-champions, including Macau's Rodolfo Avila, Switzerland's
Alexandre Imperatori Alexandre Emmanuel Imperatori (born 19 April 1987 in Châtel-Saint-Denis) is a Switzerland, Swiss racing driver who lives in Shanghai, China. Career Karting Imperatori started kart racing at the age of four in Spain. He raced karting in Spai ...
,
Mathias Beche Mathias Beche Aussel (born 28 June 1986 in Geneva) is a Swiss-French professional racing driver who currently competes in the European Le Mans Series for Richard Mille by TDS. He is a former ELMS champion in the LMP2 class, as well as an LMP1-L ...
and Angola's Luís Sá Silva, Thailand's Sandy Stuvik won the championship for Asia Racing Team in 2010. In 2011, 2012 and 2013 Asia Racing Team confined its participation to the races in Zhuhai. In 2015 AFR Series introduced the Formula Renault 2.0/13, and Asia Racing Team assisted Canada's Maxx Ebenal on his way to a double win at the inaugural races at Zhuhai Circuit. In the end of the year the team's best classified driver overall was Indonesia's Darma Hutomo. Teammate James Runacres secured the Class B vice-championship title.


Team Drivers

D.C - Driver Classification, T.C - Team Classification, † - Only one race (Macau Grand Prix)


Formula BMW Asia Pacific

Asia Racing Team's involvement in Formula BMW Pacific was never at full-time. After taking part in Macau Grand Prix 2008, the team would repeat the single event appearances in Singapore and Macau in the following year. In 2010 Asia Racing Team embarked in a half season adventure with Singaporean driver Suriya Bala and decided to enter Toyota Racing Academy drivers Yuichi Nakayama and Ryo Hirakawa in Okayama and Macau rounds. In Japan Nakayama earned the first and only Pole-Position and podium position for the team. Due to the commitments with the Formula Pilota China in 2011, Asia Racing Team decided to pull out of the series.


Results


Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

The team, which has participated in
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Porsche Carrera Cup (sometimes abbreviated PCC) is a number of One-Design, one-make racing by Porsche premier series competed with, initially Porsche 911 Carrera Cup, then later Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. The cars are specifically built by Porsc ...
in 2009 winning two races, has been keeping an eye on
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Porsche Carrera Cup (sometimes abbreviated PCC) is a number of One-Design, one-make racing by Porsche premier series competed with, initially Porsche 911 Carrera Cup, then later Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. The cars are specifically built by Porsc ...
in 2010. Following discussions with various drivers, the team has decided to re-enter in the most prestigious series of Southeast Asia as a technical service provider for car owners. Bringing with them a strong racing background as well as a surplus of enthusiasm and excitement, Holland's Marcel Tjia and Hong Kong's Dr Chi Min Ma joined up with Macanese driver Keith Vong to round out the three-car effort. In 2012 Asia Racing Team entered in the series a five-car lineup. Beijing Porsche dealership Betterlife driver Wang Jian Wei third place at Ordos was the team's best result of the season. China's Huang Chu Han won “Class B” races at Sepang and Shanghai.


Team Drivers

D.C - Driver Classification


GT Asia

Asia Racing Team expanded to GT series in 2011. The Macau born and Zhuhai based team entered a couple of Porsche 997 GT3 Cup R in the GT3 class of the
GT Asia series The GT Asia Series was a sports car racing series based in Asia. The championship combines Group GT3, FIA GT3 specification cars as the elite class of the series with Ferrari Challenge, Porsche Cup and older GT3 machinery competing in the GTM cl ...
for the Hong Kong racers Eddie Yau and Sasha Chu. Yau won in Fuji and was a title contender until the last race of the season at Macau where he got involved in a massive crash without injuries for the driver. In 2012 the team returned to the series with a Porsche 911 GT3 R for the young Chinese racer Li Zhi Cong (aka Chi Cong Li). Although Li Zhi Cong was racing GT cars for the first time, he fought for the championship title until the final race and ended the season in second place, winning three races, including GT Asia Series last round at Macau's Circuito da Guia. Hong Kong racer Sasha Chu took part of Fuji and Autopolis events. Li Zhi Cong returned in 2013, taking the championship by storm by winning GT Asia Series season finale at Macau.


Team Drivers

D.C - Driver Classification, T.C - Team Classification


TCR Asia Series

Asia Racing Team won the inaugural TCR Asia Series teams’ title and capped a winning year with a triple win at the opening round at Sepang and double victory at the season-ending Macau Grand Prix Guia Race. In nine rounds of series competition, Asia Racing Team's SEAT Léon TCR drivers scored an impressive eleven podium results - including three overall wins for Rodolfo Avila, two for one-time race-returnee Philippe Descombes and one for Thai touring car star Tin Sritrai. Avila finished second in championship standings and Descombes was third.


Results


TCR International Series


Results


F4 Chinese Championship

Asia Racing Team entered in the opening season of the five round FIA Formula 4 China Championship. Beijing's Liu Kai went to the podium for six times, rounding out his campaign with a much deserved race win in the last race of the year at Zhuhai. Asia Racing Team entered a second car for two occasions: in the first event at Beijing for Hua Miao and in the season finale at Zhuhai for the 15-year old Guangzhou native Charles Lin.


Results

† Hong competed for FFA Racing until round 2. ‡ Sicheng competed for GEEKE XL DRIFT in round 1.


Formula 4 South East Asia Championship


Results


Timeline


External links


Asia Racing Team - Official website

Zhuhai International Circuit - Official website

Carrera Cup Asia - Official website
*


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Asia Racing Team Chinese auto racing teams Macau auto racing teams 2003 establishments in China Auto racing teams established in 2003 Formula Renault teams Formula BMW teams Racing schools TCR Asia Series teams TCR International Series teams Sports car racing teams