Ramli Takes Second Win as Local Favourite Denied Victory


Crest Jaseri Racing’s Rizal Ramli took the top podium spot today in Round 5 of the Porsche Infineon Carrera Cup Asia, denying local 
favourite Charoensukhawatana Nattavude of Fuspeed Racing victory on home turf.  The action went all the way down to the final few feet of 
the 20-lap race, and provided some of the best racing the series has seen so far.



Nattavude made a blinding start off the line to take Ramli and led the hard-charging pack.  However, Ramli kept right on the tail of the 
Thai veteran pushing every inch of the way, looking to force and error.

 

Behind them, Charles Kwan was in hot pursuit himself staving off A-Ha Racing’s Matthew Marsh in fourth, while German Sven Herberger was 
less than pleased at being taken by Team Jebsen’s Darryl O’Young.



Nattavude held is position and looked good for a win until lap 7 when disaster struck, but the recovery was even more remarkable than his 
start.



Possibly rankled by the persistent Malaysian behind him, Nattavude made an error which saw his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup machine on the grass.  
However, with lightning reflexes, he rejoined the pack only seconds later to come out on track between Team Infineon-Novellus ace Charles 
Kwan and Marsh.



“It was my fault, and I must apologise to my fans,” said Nattavude.  “But it was a great race.”



On lap 11, Herberger took revenge and managed to get by O’Young, but more drama was yet to come at the front of the field.



On the final lap of the 20-lap race, Ramli missed his braking point and a gear and ended up on the grass.  In a brilliant display of car 
control, he held his first position to cross the line and take the win.  “I made a mistake,” he said.  “It was very scary and so close at 
the finish line!”



Charles Kwan was happy with his second place finish commenting, “I stayed close to the front runners, but they are very fast.  Once 
Nattavude went off, I kept pushing Rizal but I was worried that he was catching up.”



In Class B, for amateur drivers, the excitement was no less enthralling.  Max Chen of A1 Racing clinched the class win, followed by Dr. 
Toshihide Hashimura and winner of the previous round, Philip Ma of Hong Kong.



“I had an ordinary start and tried to stay behind Philip (Ma).  I had the benefit of new tyres and managed to pass him.  After that I just 
tried to steer clear of accidents.  I’m very happy and enjoyed the race very much – I’m already looking forward to the next rounds,” said 
Chen.



Dr. Hashimura also enjoyed his outing and earned a compliment from fellow driver Ma.  “I made a pretty good start and tried to keep Dr. 
Hashimura and Max (Chen) behind me.  But Max got by and then Dr. Hashimura made a very brave move to outbrake me and got past!”



Series title sponsor and backer of the Team Infineon-Novellus, reigning series champions, Infineon Technologies is pleased with the way the 
series is developing as it continues its second successful tour of Asia.  Commented Kaye Lim, Director, Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific: 
“PICCA continues to thrill the audience with fierce battles amongst the competitors, more importantly, the series exemplifies both 
technological and sporting excellence.  We we’re proud to be part of such a professional, exciting and prestigious Asian region series.”



After five out of 11 Rounds, Kwan and Nattavude are neck-and-neck at the top of the Class A championship leaderboard with 88 points apiece. 
 Ramli has 72 points, with Marsh on 69.  In Class B, Max Chen holds his position at the top of the table, followed by Dr. Hashimura, eight 
points behind and Philip Ma in third.



The Porsche Infineon Carrera Cup Asia next moves to Beijing’s Goldenport Circuit for Rounds 6 and 7 on August 14-15.



Supporting the series are two of the most recognised names in international motorsport, Mobil1 and Michelin. Mobil and Porsche have been 
partners since 1996. Close co-operation in research and development has to led to every new Porsche engine being filled with Mobil1 high-
performance lubricant.  Porsche Infineon Carrera Cup Asia drivers also have the advantage of high technology tyres, supplied by series 
partner Michelin, that have consistently improved the performance of many teams in international motorsport.  The partnership between 
Michelin and the Porsche Infineon Carrera Cup Asia has emerged from a worldwide agreement signed between Porsche AG and the Michelin group 
in 2001.



About Infineon



Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions 



for the automotive and industrial sectors, for applications in the wired communications markets, secure mobile solutions as well as memory 
products.  With a global presence, Infineon operates in the US from San Jose, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore and in Japan 
from Tokyo.  In the fiscal year 2003 (ending September 2003), the company achieved sales of Euro 6.15 billion with about 32,300 employees 
worldwide.  Infineon is listed on the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX).  
Further information is available at www.infineon.com