Team Infineon-Noveullus driver Charles Kwan of Hong Kong took the inaugural Porsche Carrera Cup Asia title today (November 16, 2003), 
finishing second in the twelfth and final round of the series at the 50th Macau Grand Prix.



“I’m thrilled to have taken the title,” said a delighted Kwan who is no stranger to Macau’s testing Guia Circuit.  “After the second race 
this year, I scored no points and we dropped down to third.  But here we are today with the championship.”



Kwan came to Macau with a two point margin over series rival Nigel Albon of Naza Racing Team, and drove a tactical race to maintain his 
second position behind Mobil1 VIP driver, former F1 pilot Alex Yoong of Malaysia.



Starting from third on the grid, Yoong made a blinding start and took the lead on the opening lap from pole position man Matthew Marsh of 
Hong Kong.  Kwan also managed to get by Marsh, a position he held to the chequered flag and the title.



“I drove a Porsche a couple of months ago, and I’ve also driven at Macau before, so I knew I had a chance to win,” said the 27-year-old 
Yoong.  “I had a good start and kept flat through turn one and was able to get alongside Matthew (Marsh).  He gave me some room and I got 
by.”



Despite being on the podium, pole position man Marsh was not happy with his third place finish.  “I’m utterly disappointed,” he said.  “A 
week ago I was day dreaming about being on the podium at Macau.  I was on pole and I had the car to win, so there are no excuses.”



Thailand’s Charoensukhawatana Nattavude crashed his Gillette-backed Fuspeed Racing car heavily on lap five, bringing out the Safety Car on 
the following lap.



When the Safety Car pulled off on lap 8, Yoong was on a charge and, although Kwan was looking for opportunities to get by, wisdom prevailed 
and he stayed behind the Chinese-Malaysian to secure the first Porsche Carrera Cup Asia title.



“The most important thing for me today was the championship and beating Nigel (Albon).  Before the Safety Car came out, there was no place 
on the circuit I could pass Alex (Yoong), so I just concentrated and drove my own race,” said Kwan.



Albon came in fourth, just missing out on a podium finish, after he hit Marsh from behind in the early stages of the 10-lap race.  However, 
he had the consolation of setting the fastest lap of the race (2:35.437/141.74kph), and finishing the season in second position on the 
leaderboard.



The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is already gearing up for its second season after the huge success of the 2003 series.  



Supporting the series are two of the most recognised names in international motorsport, Mobil1 and Michelin.  Mobil and Porsche have been 
partners since 1996. Close co-operation in research and development has to led to every new Porsche engine being filled with Mobil1 high-
performance lubricant.  Porsche Carrera Cup Asia drivers also have the advantage of high technology tyres, supplied by series partner 
Michelin, that have consistently improved the performance of many teams in international motorsport.  The partnership between Michelin and 
the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia has emerged from a worldwide agreement signed between Porsche AG and the Michelin group in 2001.



Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

Round 12

50th Macau Grand Prix


Pos.	No.	Driver				Nat	Entrant			Time

1	21	Alex YOONG			MAL	Porsche Asia Pacific	31:14.308

2	29	Charles KWAN			HKG	Team Infineon-Novellus	31:15.494

3	20	Matthew MARSH*		HKG	Porsche Asia Pacific	31:15.594

4	8	Nigel ALBON			GBR	Naza Racing Team	31:16.063

5	22	Marchy LEE*			HKG	Marchy Lee		31:21.557

6	18	Vutthikorn INTHRAPHUVASAKTHA	THA	Porsche Centre		31:33.672

Bangkok/Red Bull	
7	11	Chonsawat ASAVAHAME		THA	Porsche Centre		31:35.238

							Bangkok/Red Bull	
8	55	Tommy LEE			MAL	Jaseri Racing Sdn Bhd	31:41.388


3.

9	88	Kenji KAWAGOE*			JPN	Kenji Kawagoe		31:47.146

10	99	Alex YAN			HKG	Alex Yan			31:49.492

11	7	Edward Lai			HKG	Edward Lai		31:50.278

12	98	Philip MA			HKG	Philip Ma		31:51.574
13	10	Tunku HAMMAM			MAS	Naza Racing Team	31:59.943

14	3	William HEINECKE		THA	The Pizza Company 	32:20.160

15	33	SIU Yuk Lung			HKG	Siu Yuk Lung		32:34.667

16	28	Max CHEN			TPE	A1 Racing Team		32:52.024

	
DNF	13	Charoensukhawatana							
		NATTAVUDE			THA	Fuspeed Racing	

	
*Non-series registered drivers