Chinese racing driver Wei Fung ‘Shaun’ Thong put the experience he gained in this year’s Protyre Formula Renault Championship to good use at Zhuhai International Circuit on Sunday, 13th October, after winning on his LMP2 sportscar debut in the latest round of the Asian Le Mans Series.

Piloting an OAK Racing Team Total entered Morgan-Judd, which he shared with compatriots Ho-Pin Tung and David Cheng, the 17-year-old from Hong Kong produced a star performance on his first weekend in endurance racing to help secure a famous victory.

Thong contested the middle stint of the race, taking over from Cheng who pitted with a slim lead, and after joining the track the Protyre Formula Renault graduate did a fantastic job of building a gap of 26 seconds at the front while, at the same time, looking after his Michelin tyres.

In the end, the OAK Racing squad claimed victory – its first of the Asian Le Mans Series season – with Thong’s superb performance on his endurance debut helping the team to close to within five points of the championship lead. Just one round remains at Sepang, Malaysia, in December.

“It was the first time I raced in endurance and at the wheel of an LMP2 – it was a great experience for me”, said Thong, “The OAK Racing Team Total squad did a fantastic job. During the race I had to concentrate on looking after the tyres. I set a good pace, I managed to be consistent and the team was happy.”

Having moved to the UK this year to compete in Protyre Formula Renault, following a season of Formula Renault action in Asia, Thong made good progress during his maiden campaign on British soil and secured a best finish of fourth place for Fortec Motorsport during the televised final round at Silverstone.

Although the Protyre Formula Renault Championship season concluded last month, preparations are now underway for the stand-alone Autumn Cup event which will take place at Rockingham over the weekend 16th/17th November.

Four rounds will be contested over the course of the two-day event at the Northamptonshire track, which will run as part of a package including the Michelin Clio Cup Racecar Series and the Michelin Clio Cup Roadcar Series.

Along with headline sponsor Protyre, Formula Renault is additionally supported by Michelin, The Lubricant Consultancy, Petronas Syntium and NGK Spark Plugs.