Ho-Pin Tung will lead the OAK Racing lineup for the inaugural Asian Le Mans Series. The championship will run six 3-hour races across four countries on the Asian continent, similar to the European Le Mans Series. Also like the ELMS, LMP2 will be the premier category in the AsLMS, meaning OAK Racing will be fighting for the overall championship with the Onroak Automotive prototype, which will run in traditional pink and black livery.
Tung’s CV is bulging with single-seater roles, including Formula 1 reserve driver roles at Williams, Renault and Lotus. He also has championship victories to his name in the form of Formula BMW Asia and German F3. Tung’s role with OAK will be his first foray into prototype racing.
“Being a Chinese driver I am very proud to have the opportunity to defend my country’s colours in this new series in Asia that has been instigated by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.” said Tung. “Competing in the Asia pendant of the prestigious Le Mans Series thrills me. This should contribute a great deal to the development of endurance racing in Asia. I am very pleased to be working with OAK Racing, a French team that has enjoyed much success in LMP2 and one that is willing to implement a sustainable base in Asia.”
30-year-old Tung has been China’s most high-profile and successful racing driver of the last decade, something that will help to bring fans to the circuits at Zhuhai, Shanghai and Ordos in the opening half of the season.
“We are delighted to welcome Ho-Pin Tung to OAK Racing for the Asian Le Mans Series” said OAK Racing President Jacques Nicolet. “We could hardly imagine a better leader for the car at the start of what we hope will be a fruitful collaboration between the team and such a talented driver. He should play a significant part in the team’s future in Asia.”
