The Clearwater Racing Ferrari - winner of the last two editions of the Sepang 12 Hours - was always going to be one of the contenders for the overall win in the 2015 edition of the Asian endurance classic, but the performances of Weng Sun Mok, Matt Griffin, James Calado and Gianmaria Bruni during the different sessions of the event now surely promote them to the position of number one favourite.
The Italian ex-F1-driver had the honour of taking the wheel of the #1 Ferrari during the top-15 shootout and Bruni had little trouble to claim the top spot with his first quick lap. Both Nobuteru Taniguchi (#35 Team AAI - HubAuto Mercedes) and Laurens Vanthoor (#17 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi) came close though, but whereas the Belgian preferred to stay out and have another go (without success), the SLS-driver pitted with a tyre problem, which had to be solved by the team. Allowed under the rules, but they also stipulate that Taniguchi now had to forfeit his lap time and start all over again. He clocked another fast lap, but could not get higher than sixth. That promoted the #55 FFF Racing Team by ACM McLaren of Alvaro Parente to third, a mere six hundredths of a second in front of the #11 Singha Motorsport Team Ferrari of Carlo Van Dam.
Three cars from the GTC-class managed to get into the top-15 shootout and of those three, the #69 Team Fydis Aylezo Lamborghini was clearly the quickest. Mitchell Gilbert beat the #26 B-Quick Racing Audi of Peter Kox by over two seconds, confirming the car's performances from the free practice sessions. In the Touring Car division, the duel between Toyota and Subaru went in favour of the latter, when Grant Johnson edged in front with only seconds to spare in the main qualifying session. The gap between his #602 Jim Hunter Motorsport Subaru and the #86 Wing Hin Motorsport Toyota of Kenny Lee was only half a tenth of a second.
Teams and drivers can now start their final preparations for the Sepang 12 Hours, which will start at noon (UTC+8) on Saturday. Live streaming is available on sepang12hours.com or check your TV listings to watch one of the many networks that will broadcast the race live.
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Driver quotes
Gianmaria Bruni (#1 Clearwater Racing Ferrari): "I have to thank Clearwater Racing for all the hard work they have put in, to be ready for this weekend. That really is the secret behind our performances during the past few days. Qualifying was tough, the gap was not that big, but I am of course happy to be on pole."
Laurens Vanthoor (#17 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi): "It's good to be back at the wheel of a racing car. After my accident I worked very hard to get back into shape and I think I am 99% ready. The race will be hard, but the hot and humid conditions make it hard for everybody."
Alvaro Parente (#55 FFF Racing Team by ACM McLaren): "Honestly, I did not expect to be in this position after qualifying. It was a pretty good lap, but we have not been this close all week. We still seem to struggle coming out of the corners, but I hope that in the race we can be strong towards the end of the stints. I am very much looking forward to it."
Mitchell Gilbert (#69 Team Fydis Aylezo Lamborghini, 1st GTC): "I am pretty confident for the race. We are all comfortable in the car and are all doing good lap times. Lamborghini has given us very good support and now we have to try and keep it going. I tried to take on some of the GT3-cars, but the gap is too big. But if in the race something happens in front, we might end up well inside the top-10 overall."
Grant Johnson (#602 Jim Hunter Motorsport Subaru, 1st Touring Car): "I just got it all together when it counted, I guess. We have had some problems and the team has spent most part of the last 24 hours at the track and they will probably do so for the next 24 hours as well! We'll see what happens in it race, because that is when it counts. »
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Practical Information Sepang 12Hours
Weekend Timetable (UTC +8)
Saturday, December 12th
Race Start Sepang 12Hours at 12:00
Sunday, December 13th
Race Finish Sepang 12Hours at 00:00
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Website : www.sepang12hours.com
Press Images & Results
Livetiming
livestreaming on Blancpain GT Series website & Sepang 12 hours
TV coverage Schedule : http://www.sepang12hours.com/tvtimes.php
Social Media :
Facebook : Sepang 12Hours
Twitter : @Sepang12H #sepang12h
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About 2015 Sepang 12 Hours
Date : December 10 - 13, 2015
The SRO Motorsport Group in partnership with the Sepang International Circuit are co-organizing and co-promoting the Sepang 12 Hours.
The following classes are eligible to race:
• GT3
• GTC
• GT4 & Sports Production
• Touring Production
• Invitation class
SRO is bringing its wealth of race organisation experience to the Sepang 12 hours, especially its know-how in GT endurance. The race includes the established Touring Production class which is an integral part of the Sepang 12 Hours.