Final race of year for TF Sport and Red River Sport in Fuji
Wednesday, December 05, 2018
Just two weeks after competing at the opening round of the 2018/19 Asian Le Mans Series from Shanghai in China, many have been making their next long haul flight back to the Far East for the Series second round from the Fuji International in Japan this weekend.
Having arrived in Shanghai with a simple desire to enjoy themselves and learn from the experience, the crew of the #5 Red River Sport with TF Sport ended up giving themselves even more to cheer about with a well deserved podium finishing the 4Hours of Shanghai in P3 albeit with just two drivers.
With the squads second Bronze rated driver Ivor Dunbar being kept away from China due to unforeseen personal reasons, it was left to fellow Bronze driver Bonamy Grimes and Pro driver/coach Johnny Mowlem to impress the crowds with what will be the last hoorah for the Surrey based team and their Aston Martin Racing V12 Vantage GT3 in both 2018 and foreseeable mainstream racing.
Despite having actually led the GT class through rightful track position for a large proportion of the race, the duo only lost out to teams with current factory GTE drivers aboard - a remarkable achievement in itself considering their lack of track time aboard the V12 Vantage compared with other teams.
Dunbar rejoins his long standing Red River team mates for the final round of the Series before the festive break now comfortable in the though that they have the equipment and ability within to succeed.
Wasting now time at home, the trio tested a spare V12 Vantage at Silverstone over the weekend in what appeared to be sound weather preparation for this weekends Fuji round although the forecast does seem to be drying out as we get closer to race day.
Friday shall see both the Private test and first Free Practice session before the final Free Practice and Qualifying on Saturday. The start of the four hour race on Sunday is due to start at 03:00hrs GMT and will be streamed again live via the Series social media channels
Good luck to the guys over there!
Photo credits - Andrew Lofthouse / Jacob Ebrey
