Hong Kong duo Kenneth Lau and Michael Choi will compete in the inaugural TCR Asia Series season under the Prince Racing banner, campaigning a pair of brand-new JAS Motorsport Honda Civics.
As previously announced, the duo will race the new cars in the at the start of the new regional TCR Asia Series season, before going on to compete in the Singapore round of the TCR International Series.
The cars will feature in the build-up to the next round of the TCR International Series, having left the JAS technical centre in Milan recently.
The cars will be shaken down at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia ahead of the opening round of the championship at the circuit in early September.
Lau revealed that part of the attraction in the new series is both its choice of circuits and the fact that it supports the Formula One championship in Singapore.
“We’ve been watching developments closely since the TCR Series concept was revealed 12 months ago,” said Lau. “With our close working relationship with JAS, the success they’re having in the International Series, and our desire to be a part of this great new program that sees us racing alongside F1 in Singapore and on the streets of Macau, we just had to be a part of it.
“It’s also the start of an exciting new chapter in Asian motorsport, something which also appealed to Michael and I. We’re really looking forward to it.”
David Sonenscher is pleased to have secured two respected drivers for the first season of the TCR Asia Series, for which he acts as the promoter.
“I think it’s fantastic that two established stars in the Asian region have been quick to sign on for the maiden season of the TCR Asia Series,” said Sonenscher. “We’re getting close now, and the cars are starting to arrive ahead of Sepang, so we’re looking forward to revealing more information about this historic new addition to Asian motorsport in the coming days.
“It’s fantastic to have the JAS Hondas in Asia, they’ve proven to be particularly capable in the International Series in the hands of Gianni Morbidelli and Kevin Gleason, which will play nicely into the hands of the Prince Racing team by giving them some valuable additional data to kick off the season.
“We’ll also see the JAS Motorsport guys back for Singapore, Thailand and Macau, so that will also prove a great boost for the performance of the local Honda team.
“It’s going to be a fantastic season, and the start of something which I think perfectly fits in the Asian motorsport market.”
Mads Fischer, Customer Support Manager for JAS Motorsport, revealed that the company are planning to deliver an additional six Civics to the region in time for 2016.
“These are the first JAS TCR cars in Asia,” said Fischer. “Kenneth and Michael have been loyal customers of JAS for years and we are delighted that they are joining the TCR category.
“We have had a lot of enquiries from Asia and have laid down a batch of six additional cars to be ready for January delivery as we expect existing and new customers to sign up for the TCR Asia Series for 2016.”