Asia’s True Speed Festival at the Asian Festival Of Speed
It is one of the largest and most exciting race events in Asia, and in 2008 has grown even bigger than ever before, the Asian Festival Of Speed (AFOS) is recognised regionally and internationally as the premier Asian Motorsport Series. AFOS consists of five powerful FIA-Sanctioned race Series’, Formula V6 Asia, Asian Touring Car Series, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Formula BMW Pacific, ATCS 1500Max Challenge and hosts the Asia Supercar Challenge and Formula Asia 2.0.
Each Series captures the interest of a different group of motorsport enthusiasts and together, they are able to provide fans a chance to witness the rising stars of Asian Motorsport tackle leading drivers and Teams from all around the globe in one action filled, power-packed Asian Festival Of Speed (AFOS) weekend.
Formula V6 Asia was created to provide both Asian and other International competitors, a highly cost effective platform to bridge the gap between the Junior Formulae and the highest levels of single seater racing such as GP2, A1GP and ultimately Formula 1. In the two years since its introduction, it has captured the interest of the Asian motorsport scene with its technologically advanced machines.
The Formula V6 Asia are equipped with a 3.5 litre engine developing close to 400bhp, carbon fibre monocoque, HANS system, left-foot braking, steering wheel-mounted sequential gearshift and wheel restraints.
Indian driver, Karun Chandhok won the championship in its innaugral season and was launched to great success in GP2, whilst at the same time landing a testing role with the Red Bull Formula 1 Team. Last year, the series was finally won at the last race by Briton, James Winslow after a season long battle against Indian hopeful, Armaan Ebrahim, who is returning in ’08 to secure the Title that just evaded him at the final moment.
Throughout the years, the Asian Touring Car Series has captured the interest of racing fans through the visual similarities between the race cars and their road going counterparts. This association, translates into bigger sales for the manufacturers, which in part explains the presence of the biggest names in the auto industry in this type of racing, as witnessed in the World Touring Car Championship, which regulations the ATCS follows closely.
The series is currently subdivided into three categories: Division 1 (FIA Super 2000); Division 2 (FIA Super Production) for 2000cc and below; and Division 3 for 1600cc and below. Participating drivers are professionals of varying backgrounds and most are highly experienced racers from around the globe.
The hugely popular Porsche Carrera Cup Asia made its debut as part of the AFOS event in 2003. With the 911 GT3 Cup (Type 997) tailor-made for customer motorsport with near-standard vehicles, the model marks a clear step towards a thoroughbred racing car.
The Porsche Carrera Cup is one of the fastest one-make series in the world and brings top class racing to this region. It offers spectacular motor racing coupled with prestige, glamour and excitement.
With a sterling field participating this season, the introduction of the 2008 997-based Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car will mean faster, closer racing than ever before. The new features incorporated into the car include a six-speed sequential gearbox to make gear shifting faster and more failsafe, and tandem racing master cylinders with an in-car brake bias adjustment control to enable drivers to brake later and gain maximum effect.
Launched in 2003, Formula BMW Pacific (formerly Asia), rapidly established itself as the Number One choice for fledgling racing talent and to reflect its rapidly growing geographical influence, it was re-named Formula BMW Pacific from the start of this season.
Through the Formula BMW Pacific Series talented young drivers are able to showcase their abilities to a wide group of motorsport enthusiasts. The series represents a great leap forward in the search for, and in the development of, Asian racing talents to become future world champions.
Formula BMW Pacific features an ultra-modern standard specification race car and a comprehensive training and intensive support programme for drivers. The Series allows drivers as young as 15 to test their talent and develop their skills. The 2008 Formula BMW Pacific field more than lives up to its name with the most internationally-diverse grid so far. Drivers from no fewer than ten nations have signed up for the 2008 season.
The recently announced ATCS 1500Max Challenge is set to be the most exciting championship to be introduced to the racing scene in Asia in recent times. It is a competition for Normally Aspirated cars below 1599cc and the Regulations have been written to ensure equality between the different makes of cars.
The race is expected to be action packed and is attracting a new group of young drivers looking for a future in Touring car racing, as well as offering a platform for drivers who have been competing in National One make races or local Touring Car Championships.
The 1500Max will also be a focus for aftermarket tuners. All cars are encouraged to modify the outlook with bodykits, 17” wheels and wings as well as suspension and engine tuning. The idea is for the race cars to be the ultimate version of the cars that are tuned for the Street.
The Asia Supercar Challenge was established by the Supercar Club Hong Kong which has been the organiser of the GT race series since 2003. Early this year, an agreement was reached between the Supercar Club Hong Kong, March3 International Inc and Motorsport Asia Limited to jointly organize the 2008 Asia Supercar Challenge.
The ASCC is sanctioned by the FIA, and is the Asia’s top multiple make GT racing championship. Although this is the sixth year for the ASCC, it will be the first time the Challenge will be a part of the AFOS event. All cars competing in the challenge are GT3 class vehicles, this includes Porsche 996 Cup/997 GT3, Ferrari 360/430 Challenge, Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Lamgborghini Gallardo GT3.
Formula Asia 2.0 is the latest single seater series to be introduced to the Asian Region. This Formula Libre event is open to multiple make 2.0 litre formula cars and is a stepping-stone for aspiring drivers looking to progress their carreers from Formula BMW through to higher categories such as Formula V6.
The Formula Asia 2.0 Series will appear at selected AFOS events this coming season.
With this long list of exciting Series for the spectators to enjoy, it came as no surprise that the AFOS Championship’s 2007 season races were visited by no less than 500,000 spectators. The season also received the participation of drivers from no less than 20 countries, Australia, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of South Africa, Russia, Singapore, Taipei, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
David Sonenscher, CEO of Motorsport Asia, the company behind the AFOS event says, “For the past 11 years, we, at Motorsport Asia, have been able to bring great motorsport to viewers and spectators from around the world, both live at our Asian Festival Of Speed events and through our global TV programmes.”
“This year, we are glad to be able to add to the event, making it more exciting and bigger than ever before” said Sonenscher.
What started out as a small effort has grown in strength throughout the years since its launch in 2007 to become the torch bearer for Asian motorsport – the Asian Festival Of Speed.
With the exception of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia which started its season during the Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Asian Festival Of Speed 2008 Season Opener will feature six of the seven series at Sepang International Circuit on 15th to 18th May 2008.
