with support from Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific
Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific has announce its partnership with KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG) for selected rounds of the 2020 Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie (previously VLN), including the famous Nürburgring 24 Hours, with two pro line-ups.
After a successful debut season for the 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 R, which won numerous international titles including the Intercontinental GT Challenge, experienced Hong Kong squad KCMG has elected to use the German marque for its NLS and Nürburgring 24 Hours assault.
KCMG will run two Porsche 911 GT3 R at the Nordschleife, including a full Porsche factory line-up of 2018 Nürburgring 24 Hours winners Nick Tandy, Patrick Pilet, Richard Lietz and Frédéric Makowiecki. In the second car, Romain Dumas, Alexandre Imperatori, Josh Burdon and Edoardo Liberati ensure the team has two proven line-ups, capable of victories.
This year, Porsche surpassed 1,000 class victories in VLN and took an overall 1-2 in the championship’s third round. The manufacturer has recorded 12 outright Nürburgring 24 Hours wins, with the current-spec Porsche 911 GT3 R finishing fourth on its maiden outing.
Founded in 2007 by Paul Ip, KCMG has a wealth of endurance racing experience, highlighted by its 2015 LMP2 class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team tackled VLN and the Nürburgring 24 Hours earlier this year, and will benefit from that experience alongside Porsche’s proven record at the ‘Green Hell’ to mount a victory challenge.
Elsewhere, KCMG entered the Intercontinental GT Challenge, Super Formula, WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup, and FIA Motorsport Games, and last ran a Porsche during the 2015-16 Asian Le Mans Series, claiming the GT Am title.
The NLS begins on 21 March 2020, with the ADAC Qualification Race set for 25 April, before the Nürburgring 24 Hours on 21-24 May.
Paul Ip, KCMG Founder: “I’m pleased to confirm that we will continue our GT programme at the Nürburgring in 2020 and as part of this, we have rekindled our partnership with Porsche and will enter two new Porsche 911 GT3 R cars. KCMG’s campaign in the NLS and Nürburgring 24 Hours will be one of the major motorsport projects that we will have in the upcoming season and we are happy with the confidence and trust that Porsche has granted us. With their support and to be represented by a formidable driver line-up, the entire team is looking forward to another great challenge ahead. We will share more details about the programme as we approach the new season.”
Ryuji Doi, KCMG Head of Motorsports: “Porsche has an impressive record at the Nürburgring, and we’ve already seen how well the new Porsche 911 GT3 R performed across the globe this year. We gained a lot of experience of the Nordschleife in 2019 and understand the challenges that come with racing there. Conquering the legendary 24-hour race requires more than just speed, and our experienced, proven driver line-ups demonstrate our intention to win. It’s very exciting to be working with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific in developing the programme and we are all looking forward to unleashing KCMG’s full potential at the Green Hell next year.”
Alexandre Gibot, Head of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific: “We are very excited to be tackling the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife with KCMG. With two strong line-ups and the team’s successful endurance racing record, this will be a partnership we’re confident can challenge right at the front. We will work alongside KCMG to ensure they are best prepared for the NLS rounds and 24 Hours. The goal is to obviously win the Nürburgring 24 Hours and we certainly have all the right ingredients to achieve this.”
