SJM Iron Lynx Theodore Racing Pair Leads Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Championship
SJM Iron Lynx Theodore Racing’s Charles Leong Hon Chio of Macau and Japan’s Miki Koyama top the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia PRO championship leaderboard having extended their unbroken run of podium finishes to six on their debut at South Korea’s 3.980km Inje Speedium.
Round 3 of the six-stop international championship saw a combination of talent, speed and flawless team work result in second and third-place podium celebrations – plus the fastest lap of race one - in their Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 after the two gruelling 50-minute races.
SJM Iron Lynx Theodore Racing talents Leong and Koyama now have a five-point lead in the race for the championship title, but are more determined than ever to capture the outright race victory which has so far eluded them.
Coming up next for the talented team is Japan’s Fuji International Speedway, venue of round four of the championship and the penultimate Asian round of the season. The 4.563km track is located in the foothills of the revered Mount Fuji, providing a dramatic backdrop to what will be another electrifying weekend of action from August 16-18.
Race 1
Hindered by traffic from showing the team’s true pace during the short, 15-minute qualifying session for race one, Charles Leong nevertheless put the SJM Iron Lynx Theodore Racing Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 on the second row of the grid for the start.
As the pace car unleashed the field at the rolling start, Leong was away like lightning, diving up into podium contention with a brave move on a rival and setting the fastest lap of the race for good measure. The move proved crucial as, just moments later and as he was closing in on second, the field was brought under a Full Course Yellow, halting further progress.
The pit window opened under FCY, and Leong handed the wheel to Miki Koyama who returned to the track in third place behind the safety car. At the restart, Koyama was straight on maximum attack, immediately challenging her rival ahead and thundering past. She continued unchallenged to take the flag, the team taking another well-deserved second-place finish and drawing level with their rivals at the top of the PRO championship leaderboard.
Race 2
This time taking the opening stint, Miki Koyama started the final race of the weekend from P2, and as the lights went out she had the bit between her teeth, hurtling after the pole-sitter and keeping him within striking distance while shaking off her rivals behind.
This time without a safety car intervention, tyre degradation became a crucial factor and, as Leong emerged for the second stint following the driver changeover he struggled for grip as he fought to maintain P2 on the challenging track. Leong held fast, nursing every remaining ounce of traction from the tyres, but was overhauled on the final run to the flag.
Nevertheless, it was the team’s sixth consecutive podium and SJM Iron Lynx Theodore Racing’s remarkable consistency and pace had paid off; they now stand atop the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia 2024 PRO championship leaderboard mid-way through their debut season.
Driver Quotes:
Charles Leong Hon Chio:
“Overall, SJM Iron Lynx Theodore Racing had a very successful debut in South Korea, and we’re thrilled to be leading the championship at the season mid-point. There were frustrations, particularly in the first qualifying session, but I think we showed incredible team work over the weekend and our consistency so far is reflected in the championship standings.”
Miki Koyama:
“We’re determined to take an overall race win! We are so close, and will continue to push hard. The next race is in my home country, and I’m confident we’ll have a very good chance there.”
Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Round 3
