After three rounds in three countries, a misplaced car and some solid competition from one of the leading LMP2 teams in the world, Equity-One Motorsport’s James Winslow heads to the final round of the Asian Le Mans Series as the points leader in the elite prototype category, and in the box seat to be invited to compete in the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hour in France.

“That would be a dream come true,” the two-time Australian Drivers Champion explained. “As a kid I used to go to Le Mans with my Dad who was a big race fan, and that gave me my passion for motorsport, so to go there next year and represent KCMG as the 2013 Asian Le Mans Series champions would be somewhat the completion of that childhood dream.

“Is there a lot on the line, yes of course, but the most important thing for us in Sepang is to finish, and so far we have a 100% finishing record in the series with two wins and a second place finish, so we just have to keep things in perspective.

“There is very little separating us from Oak Racing, just four points between myself and David Cheng and with 26 points on the table, and seven the difference between first and second, we have to finish in front of Oak to take the title, and with it, that vital free entry into Le Mans next year.”

Both teams are playing their cards close just a week out from the Malaysian round, with only Winslow confirmed at this point for KCMG, whilst David Cheng will be joined once more by Ho-Pin Tung. Adding to the equation at Sepang is the appearance of GTC front-runners CRAFT Racing who will campaign the LMP2 car that Winslow drove at Zhuhai.

“The Murphy Prototype we ran at Zhuhai has gone to CRAFT and they have a couple of unknown drivers, so we won’t know what to expect from them until opening practice, and Oak aren’t saying much about their third driver. We have the car we took to victory at Inje and Fuji back in our hands for Sepang [it was used by the WEC team in the Fuji round, so the Murphy Prototype was delivered just prior to qualifying at Zhuhai], with the crack KCMG Formula Nippon outfit back to run the car. As for my co-drivers, that’s not confirmed at present, but we’ve had a good crew this year and always finished, so I’d expect much of the same.

“I know KCMG are doing everything they can to take the win in Sepang, because they’re keen to have a second entry in Le Mans next year, and I’m keen to drive it.

“It’s funny, but despite getting my passion for motorsport from Le Mans, I’ve always followed an open-wheel path, but this year the whole prototype things has loomed large on the radar, and I’m super keen now to continue down this path.

“To drive an LMP2 in the World Endurance Championship, or at Le Mans would have to be the pinnacle of sportcars competition – unless of course you’re one of the chosen few who joins a factory LMP1 outfit – so for me and my future, I would love to be able to do this for a full season of WEC, that would be the dream.”

As he has done all season, Winslow will again be supported by a number of people from his adopted home – Australia – including Equity-One’s Dean Koutsoumidis.

“James is a terrific young guy and it’s great to see him on the brink of arguably the biggest result of his career,” Koutsoumidis said. “For me, to help someone like that who has been proactive and just kept pushing on despite a lack of budget and consistent knockbacks is an inspiration, and I’m proud to be a part of the team. I’m also looking forward to being on the grid at Le Mans next year, how good would that be. That would be one of my childhood dreams taken care of!!”

“I can’t thank Dean, the team at Equity-One, and all my supporters enough,” Winslow agreed. “Australia has always been good to me, and I’m proud to be a part of the establishment down there and to try to help some of the guys who are as passionate about their sport as I am, but for them, they have full-time jobs during the week.

“This is my job, and I am terribly passionate about it, so to be sitting in the points lead heading into the final round of the season is right where I want to be, and I will be 100% focused on making sure that it will be KCMG and all our supporters standing on the top step in Sepang next weekend. I just can’t wait to get there and get this thing done!”