Origine Motorsport showed strong potential on its Asian Le Mans Series debut at Sepang International Circuit, clinching sixth place in a rain-affected Round 2.
The Chinese squad has had a terrific 2024, retaining its Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia teams’ title, while also winning the drivers’ crown, plus the Shanghai 8 Hours and FIA GT World Cup Silver Cup. Yuan Bo, Leo Ye and Laurin Heinrich piloted the #87 Porsche 911 GT3 R, with a solid qualifying performance seeing them line up on the fourth row for both events. However, contact in the first four-hour race of the weekend forced them to retire.
Elsewhere, Manthey EMA’s #92 crew got their season off to a strong start, with Ryan Hardwick, Richard Lietz and Riccardo Pera picking up third.
Sunday’s event was much more promising, with Bo making a positive start before handing over to GT World Challenge Asia teammate Ye. The Chinese racer battled through the worsening conditions and took the class lead, with Heinrich hopping in the car on wet tyres for the final driver change and looking to clinch victory. However, the rain intensified, and not long after the red flag was waved, bringing the race to an early end with the trio in sixth.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong-based racer Antares Au secured a second place finish alongside Klaus Bachler and Joel Sturm in the #10 Manthey car.
