With the deadline for full season Asian Le Mans Series entries (30th August) approaching fast, The ACO has revealed that Chinese team Climax Racing, Ukraini outfit Tsunami RT and IMSA regular Winward Racing have committed to the 2024/25 season.
All three are new to the series and will compete in the GT3 ranks, adding a combined four Mercedes AMG GT3 EVOs and a single Porsche 911 GT3 R to the category.
New Teams Joining the Grid
Shanghai based Climax Racing was founded by racer Zhou Bihuang at the end of 2019 and currently operates nearly 20 GT cars in various series across Asia, including GT3 and GT4 cars from Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz AMG and Audi. For the 2024/25 Asian Le Mans Series it will enter a pair of Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVOs, with team owner Mike Zhou, who raced with GetSpeed and Sainteloc previously, registered as one of the drivers.
Adding to the Mercedes contingent is Winward Racing, which competes in IMSA, DTM and GT World Challenge and currently leads the IMSA GTD Championship with four wins and a second place finish in eight races. For its winter programme in the Asian Le Mans Series it will field two AMG GT3 EVOs under the US flag.
Porsche Cup regular Tsunami RT meanwhile, will enter a single Porsche with a driver line up that includes Fabio Babini. The team was originally founded in Odessa, Ukraine in 2007 and is now based in San Marino and Italy.
Expanding the Asian Le Mans Series
The 2024/25 Asian Le Mans Series season features six rounds at three circuits in December 2024 and February 2025, with two endurance races apiece at Sepang, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The series has experienced significant growth in recent years, attracting a diverse field of teams and drivers from around the world. The addition of these three new teams is a testament to the series' growing popularity and appeal.
The Impact of New Teams
The addition of Climax Racing, Tsunami RT, and Winward Racing brings a new level of competition and excitement to the Asian Le Mans Series. The series is known for its high-quality racing and its commitment to providing a platform for drivers and teams to showcase their skills. These new teams will undoubtedly add to the series' competitive spirit and further enhance its reputation as a top-tier racing championship.
The series is expected to attract a large audience of motorsport fans and sponsors, particularly in Asia. This is a positive development for the series and for motorsport in general, as it reflects the growing popularity of racing in the region.
The Future of the Asian Le Mans Series
The Asian Le Mans Series is poised for continued growth and success in the coming years. The series is well-positioned to become a major player in the global motorsport landscape, particularly with the addition of these new teams. The series has the potential to attract even more top-tier teams and drivers, as well as a wider audience of fans and sponsors.
The series' commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion is also commendable. The inclusion of teams from China, Ukraine, and the United States demonstrates the series' global reach and its commitment to bringing together drivers and teams from all over the world.
The Asian Le Mans Series is a rising star in the world of motorsport. With its commitment to quality, competition, and diversity, the series is well-positioned to become a major force in the global motorsport landscape.
