GP2 test for JK Racing Asia champion

The winner of this year’s JK Racing Asia Series will earn a test with Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes’ GP2 outfit.

The Asia Series – which was set-up using the fleet of cars from the defunct Formula BMW Asia-Pacific championship – will run six race weekends in 2011, three of them in support of Formula One events. It has now been confirmed that the winner will get a run in one of Fernandes’ Caterham Team Air Asia GP2 machines ahead of the 2012 campaign.

"At AirAsia we believe in making dreams a reality, and our extensive involvement in motorsports, from our Driver's Development Program with Team Lotus and Team Lotus itself, amongst others, allows us to continually be a part of the growth of our youth as they pursue their future,” said the Malaysian entrepreneur.

"To be able to offer this unique and exciting prize to the champion of the Series is an absolute pleasure, and we look forward to catching some of the upcoming races in Singapore and India."

"A test with one of the leading GP2 Teams, which is just one step from Formula 1, will not only provide further motivation for them to secure the JK Racing Asia Title, but will also give them an opportunity to understand what will be expected from them in their future careers,” added David Sonenscher, CEO of series organisers Motorsport Asia.

"I am very grateful to Tony Fernandes for putting this together as an added bonus to AirAsia's involvement in the JK Racing Asia Series."

Austrian racer Lucas Auer currently heads the standings following ten of the 18 races schedule to be run this season. 16-year-old, nephew of former F1 star Gerhard Berger, sits 34 points clear of chief rival Afiq Ikhwan. Action resumes at Singapore’s Marian Bay this weekend before switching to the new Buddh International Circuit over the weekend of October 29/30 in support of the Indian Grand Prix.

Watch JK Racing Asia Series highlights as part of Motors TV’s Asian Festival of Speed coverage.


James Weeks