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a007apl · 04-05-2004, 04:33 PM

KUALA LUMPUR March 5 - Experienced German driver Norman Simon has signed a one-year contract to become the new driver for the Malaysian-based Amprex Motorsports racing team.

The 27-year-old, who is the test driver for Lamborghini, partner's Amprex's main driver and team owner Genji Hashimoto in this season's Japan Grand Touring Championship (JGTC) which starts next month.

Hashimoto said as his former partner Charles Kwan of Hong Kong had decided to concentrate on the Porsche Carrera Asia Cup this year, he had to find a new driver.

"Norman has ample racing experience in Europe and the United States as he competed in the British Touring Car Championship, European Touring Car Championship, Formula 3000 and the American Le Mans Series.

"Furthermore was the test driver for Lamborghini last year and since we are also using the Lamborghini engine this season, he was the right choice," he told reporters after the JGTC press briefing here Friday.

Hashimoto said the contract with Simon would be for one year with an option for another.

However, Amprex, the sole Malaysian entry in the Japan GT races, will miss the first two races of the season in Okayama (April 3-4) and Miyagi (May 22-23).

"Our new Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT machine will only be ready by early May and we need some private testings in Europe before taking part in the Japan GT Malaysia round at the Sepang Circuit on June 18 and 19. That's why we had to to skip the first two races," he added.

Amprex will be competing for the first time in the higher class GT500 this season after having raced in the GT300 for the past two seasons in a BMW M3GT.

Meanwhile, Grand Touring Association (GT-A) project manager for the Pacific region, Masaki Tanzawa, said they will seriously focus on promoting the Japan GT races, starting this year.

"We will be creating news values for the Malaysian fans by sponsoring local reporters to cover the six events in Japan. With the coverage, we hope to draw the interest of the fans in JGTC races," he said.

The JGTC race in Malaysia was held twice in 2001 and 2002 but cancelled last year due to fears of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

The other rounds in Japan are Round Four in Hokkaido (July 17-1, Round Five in Tochigi (Sept 4-5), Round Six in Oita (Oct 30-31) and the final round in Suzuka (Nov 20-21).

04-05-2004, 04:33 PM	#1
a007apl Regular User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Brasília-DF Brazil Posts: 15,357	Lamborghini News KUALA LUMPUR March 5 - Experienced German driver Norman Simon has signed a one-year contract to become the new driver for the Malaysian-based Amprex Motorsports racing team. The 27-year-old, who is the test driver for Lamborghini, partner's Amprex's main driver and team owner Genji Hashimoto in this season's Japan Grand Touring Championship (JGTC) which starts next month. Hashimoto said as his former partner Charles Kwan of Hong Kong had decided to concentrate on the Porsche Carrera Asia Cup this year, he had to find a new driver. "Norman has ample racing experience in Europe and the United States as he competed in the British Touring Car Championship, European Touring Car Championship, Formula 3000 and the American Le Mans Series. "Furthermore was the test driver for Lamborghini last year and since we are also using the Lamborghini engine this season, he was the right choice," he told reporters after the JGTC press briefing here Friday. Hashimoto said the contract with Simon would be for one year with an option for another. However, Amprex, the sole Malaysian entry in the Japan GT races, will miss the first two races of the season in Okayama (April 3-4) and Miyagi (May 22-23). "Our new Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT machine will only be ready by early May and we need some private testings in Europe before taking part in the Japan GT Malaysia round at the Sepang Circuit on June 18 and 19. That's why we had to to skip the first two races," he added. Amprex will be competing for the first time in the higher class GT500 this season after having raced in the GT300 for the past two seasons in a BMW M3GT. Meanwhile, Grand Touring Association (GT-A) project manager for the Pacific region, Masaki Tanzawa, said they will seriously focus on promoting the Japan GT races, starting this year. "We will be creating news values for the Malaysian fans by sponsoring local reporters to cover the six events in Japan. With the coverage, we hope to draw the interest of the fans in JGTC races," he said. The JGTC race in Malaysia was held twice in 2001 and 2002 but cancelled last year due to fears of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The other rounds in Japan are Round Four in Hokkaido (July 17-1, Round Five in Tochigi (Sept 4-5), Round Six in Oita (Oct 30-31) and the final round in Suzuka (Nov 20-21).