Walaupun taufun "Bavi" kini telah melemah, ia masih akan membawa ketidakpastian kepada perlumbaan.

Dari 16 hingga 18 Julai, bahagian keempat Cabaran Super Trofeo Asia Musim 2026 Lamborghini akan kembali ke litar Speedium Yeoju, Korea Selatan. Litar sepanjang 3.908 km ini, yang terkenal dengan susunan kelajuan tinggi yang lancar dan perubahan ketinggian yang ketara, digelar sebagai "Spa Asia" kerana sifat cabarannya yang unik, manakala taufun "Bavi" yang telah melemah dijangka akan membawa hujan dan angin kencang, sekali gus meningkatkan kebolehtontonan perlumbaan.

Hujung minggu ini, tiga bintang baharu yang dipilih untuk Program Pembangunan Pemacu Muda Super Trofeo Junior Musim 2026 — Liam Sceats dari pasukan Vincenzo Sospiri Racing (20 tahun, Selandia Baru), Gustaw Wiśniewski (18 tahun, Poland) dan Titus Sherlock dari pasukan Lamborghini Bundang by Racegraph (21 tahun) — akan menghadapi ujian baharu di sini. Program ini berada di bawah Projek Pembangunan Pemacu Muda Squadra Corse Lamborghini, tahun ini telah memasuki tahun ke-13, musim ini terdapat 17 pemacu yang dipilih.

Pada masa ini, pasangan Wiśniewski dan Sceats menduduki tempat kedua dalam jadual mata PRO, manakala kombinasi Sherlock dan pemacu China Li Zhicong berada di tempat keempat. Matlamat bersama mereka adalah mengejar William Tregurtha, pemacu Britain dari pasukan Batmobile Racing yang kini memimpin jadual mata dengan kelebihan 20 mata. Muda-mudi berusia 26 tahun ini yang menampilkan diri buat pertama kali secara tunggal di perlumbaan pembukaan musim di Malaysia dan telah menjuarai kumpulan PRO, setelah berpasangan dengan nama hebat Monaco Jonathan Cecotto sejak perlumbaan kedua, berjaya menang empat kali kejuaraan keseluruhan secara berturut-turut di perlumbaan Ningbo, China dan Fuji, Jepun, momentum yang tiada lawan.

Yang menarik untuk diperhatikan, Cecotto walaupun tidak hadir di perlumbaan pembukaan, tetapi berdasarkan prestasi kemenangan sempurna dalam empat perlumbaan terkini, dia kini telah memuncak ke hadapan jadual mata kumpulan PRO, hanya ketinggalan 7 mata daripada Sceats dan Wiśniewski. Dan dia pada musim 2025 pernah bersama rakan sepasukan Gavin Huang di Litar Speedium Yeoju mencatat satu kemenangan dan satu tempat ketiga, pengalaman berharga ini mungkin akan menjadi pemboleh ubah penting untuk merobek keadaan sedia ada hujung minggu ini.

Litar Yeoju mempunyai 20 kelokan dan perubahan ketinggian yang ketara yang mengemukakan tuntutan ketat terhadap output kuasa kereta lumba dan kestabilan brek — enjin 5.2 liter V10 naturally aspirated yang dipasang pada Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 di sini perlu menyeimbangkan daya tarikan dalam kelajuan tinggi dan ketahanan dalam zon brek berat, dan kerjasama sistem stereng roda belakang dengan penggantungan anti-roll boleh laras akan menentukan sama ada pemacu dapat melengkapkan pusingan yang lebih agresif di kelokan bersambung. Gabungan ciri litar dan ketidakpastian cuaca mungkin membesarkan jurang antara pemacu baru dan lama.

Kumpulan PRO juga akan menyambut wajah baharu — pemacu Amerika Syarikat Barrett Wolfe berumur 23 tahun akan beraksi secara tunggal di perlumbaan rumah pasukan Lamborghini Busan by Racegraph. Beliau sebelum ini telah mencapai podium kejuaraan F4 Amerika, musim ini bertanding di Kejuaraan Formula Regional Amerika Utara, dan pada musim 2025 bertanding dengan lawan hebat seperti Arvid Lindblad, pemacu pasukan Racing Bulls F1 sekarang, di Kejuaraan Formula Regional Oceania. Sama ada penampilan pertama di Asia ini akan mencetuskan kejutan di "Spa Asia", juga dinantikan.

Dari segi kumpulan PRO-AM, Chris van der Drift dan Todd Kingsford dari pasukan Vincenzo Sospiri Racing, sejak pertama kali berpasangan di Malaysia, telah mencapai enam kemenangan berturut-turut, memimpin jadual mata dengan kelebihan 49 mata. Namun iklim gunung yang berubah-ubah di Yeoju dan susunan litar yang kompleks mungkin menjadi ancaman terbesar kepada rekod tidak terkalahkan mereka. Pasangan Malaysia Putera Mu'azzam dan Kumar Prabakaran dari pasukan Batmobile Racing yang kini menduduki tempat kedua, sejak perlumbaan Ningbo telah berturut-turut ke podium, sedang menunggu peluang untuk mengakhiri dominasi ini. Pasukan tempatan SQDA-GRIT Motorsport menghantar Yoon Jeon dan Kevin Lee ke kumpulan PRO-AM, di mana Yoon Jeon sebelum ini telah ke podium kumpulan AM secara berturut-turut dalam dua pusingan di Fuji, beraksi di halaman sendiri sememangnya menambah faktor perubahan.

Dari segi kumpulan AM, pemacu True Visions Motorsports Thailand Suttiluck Buncharoen sejak ke podium pusingan kedua di Sepang, telah mencatat empat kemenangan berturut-turut di Ningbo dan Fuji, dan dua kali telah masuk ke 5 teratas keseluruhan. Namun pemacu KAM LUNG Racing Bertram Lau tetap mengekori rapat, kini hanya ketinggalan 18 mata, kepastian kejuaraan masih belum jelas.

Dari segi Piala Lamborghini, Supachai Weeraborwornpong dari pasukan Siamgas Corse musim ini hanya gagal sekali, tetapi gabungan Gerald Goh dan Terence Tse dari Lamborghini Bundang by Racegraph hanya ketinggalan 16 mata, gabungan Lamborghini Busan by Racegraph Qian Long dan Kim Sangho juga mengintai peluang, perebutan kejuaraan belum berakhir lagi.

Litar Speedium Yeoju dibuka pada 2013, terletak kira-kira 120 km ke timur Seoul, susunan litar berbentuk kuda laut, dengan tuntutan maksimum terhadap kemahiran, fizikal dan kepekatan pemacu, dianggap sebagai salah satu litar paling cabar di Asia. Hujung minggu ini, keseimbangan aerodinamik dalam kelajuan tinggi dan prestasi brek menentang penurunan haba di hujung lurus panjang akan menjadi faktor penentu, dan hujan mendadak di kawasan gunung mungkin mengubah sepenuhnya papan taktikal.

Perlumbaan akan bermula pada 16 Julai (Khamis) dengan dua sesi latihan rasmi masing-masing satu jam. Pada 17 Julai (Jumaat) pukul 10:50 pagi, dua sesi kelayakan masing-masing 15 minit dijalankan, perlumbaan utama pusingan pertama akan bermula pada pukul 15:45 petang hari yang sama; pusingan kedua akan bermula pada 18 Julai (Sabtu) pukul 14:40 petang (semua masa di atas ialah UTC+9). Apabila "Spa Asia" bertemu gelombang generasi baharu, hujung minggu di Yeoju sudah pasti tidak akan tenang.

Pengarang: Ou Zijie

Although Typhoon "Bawi" has weakened, it will still bring uncertainty to the event.

From July 16 to 18, the 2026 Season Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asian Challenge 4th Stop will return to Yeoncheon Speedium track in South Korea. This 3.908 km long track, known for its fast flowing layout and dramatic elevation changes, is hailed as "Asia's Spa" due to its highly challenging characteristics. The weakened Typhoon "Bawi" is also expected to bring rain and strong winds, thereby increasing the spectator appeal of the race.

This weekend, three rising stars selected for the 2026 Season Super Trofeo Junior Driver Development Program — Liam Sceats (20, New Zealand) from Vincenzo Sospiri Racing team, Gustaw Wiśniewski (18, Poland), and Titus Sherlock (21) from Lamborghini Bundang by Racegraph team — will face a new test here. This plan belongs to Lamborghini Squadra Corse Driver Development Project, entering its 13th year this season, with 17 drivers selected this season.

Currently, Wiśniewski and Sceats pairing rank 2nd in the PRO Category standings, while Sherlock and Chinese driver Li Zhicong pairing ranks 4th. Their common goal is to chase the current PRO Category leader William Tregurtha from Batmobile Racing, who holds a 20-point lead. This 26-year-old young man debuted as a solo driver in the season opener Malaysia Round and won the PRO Category title. Since the 2nd Stop, pairing with Monaco legend Jonathan Cecotto, they have won 4 consecutive race winners at Ningbo, China and Fuji, Japan, with unstoppable momentum.

It is worth noting that although Cecotto missed the season opener, based on 4 consecutive wins, he has rapidly climbed to the front of the PRO Category standings, only 7 points behind Sceats and Wiśniewski. And in the 2025 Season, he with teammate Gavin Huang took one win and one podium finish at Yeoncheon Speedium, this valuable experience may become the key variable to break the current situation this weekend.

Yeoncheon track's 20 corners and dramatic changes put strict requirements on car power output and braking stability — Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2's 5.2-liter V10 naturally aspirated engine must balance traction in high-speed corners and durability in hard braking zones here. The rear-wheel steering system and adjustable anti-roll bar coordination will determine whether drivers can complete overtakes with more aggressive lines in continuous complex corners. Track characteristics combined with weather variables may amplify the gap between new and experienced drivers.

PRO Category will also welcome a new face — 23-year-old American driver Barrett Wolfe will compete solo at Lamborghini Busan by Racegraph team's home race. He has achieved a US F4 Championship podium, competing in Americas Regional Formula Championship this season, and competed in 2025 Season Oceania Regional Formula Championship with excellent opponents like current Racing Bulls F1 Team driver Arvid Lindblad. Whether his Asian debut can make a big impact at "Asia's Spa" is equally anticipated.

PRO-AM Category: Vincenzo Sospiri Racing team's Chris van der Drift and Todd Kingsford, since pairing for the first time at Malaysia Round, have won all six races, leading the standings with a huge 49-point advantage. However, Yeoncheon's complex mountain climate and track layout may become the greatest threat to their undefeated record. Currently ranking 2nd is Batmobile Racing team Malaysia duo Putera Mu’azzam and Kumar Prabakaran, who have been on the podium continuously since Ningbo Round, waiting to break the rule. Local team SQDA-GRIT Motorsport sends Yoon Jeon and Kevin Lee to fight in PRO-AM Category, where Yoon Jeon had consecutive two rounds on AM Category podium at Fuji Round, home race certainly adds variables.

AM Category: True Visions Motorsports Thailand driver Suttiluck Buncharoen, after podium at Sepang Round 2, has won 4 consecutive races at Ningbo and Fuji, and entered top 5 overall twice. But KAM LUNG Racing driver Bertram Lau always stays close, currently only 18 points behind, champion suspense remains.

Lamborghini Cup: Siamgas Corse team's Supachai Weeraborwornpong only had one blunder this season, but Lamborghini Bundang by Racegraph pair Gerald Goh and Terence Tse only 16 points behind, Lamborghini Busan by Racegraph pair Qian Long and Kim Sangho are also in contention, title fight far from over.

Yeoncheon Speedium track launched in 2013, about 120 km east of Seoul, track layout shape like a seahorse, due to extreme requirements on driver technique, stamina and focus, regarded as one of Asia's most challenging tracks. This weekend, aerodynamic balance in fast corners and long straight end brake heat fade resistance will become decisive factors, and sudden mountain rain may completely rewrite the tactical plans.

The event will start on July 16 (Thursday) with two official practice sessions of one hour each. July 17 (Friday) morning 10:50 conduct two qualifying sessions of 15 minutes each, first round main race starts 15:45 afternoon same day; second round then starts on July 18 (Saturday) afternoon 14:40 (All times UTC+9). When "Asia's Spa" meets new generation shockwave, Yeoncheon weekend is destined to not be quiet.

Author: Ou Zijie

Announced last week that it will start using brand new race cars starting in 2027, this week the event kicks off its season.

May 22, Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asian Challenge is about to welcome the competition of the second round of the 2026 season. This is also the first time the Lamborghini Asian Challenge visits the Ningbo International Circuit. Although the grade is slightly lower compared to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia where the season opened in April, the challenge difficulty level of the Ningbo track is actually higher than the former.

The Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asian Challenge 2026 season opening round — Malaysia Sepang International Circuit is an FIA Grade 1 certified track. In comparison, the Ningbo International Circuit is an FIA/FIM Grade 2 certified track. Although the grade is slightly lower, the Ningbo track designed by the team of world-renowned designer Alan Wilson, the challenge difficulty is not low.

Sepang track is 5.543 km long, clockwise layout, max elevation difference 30 meters, total 15 corners (including a 927-meter hairpin turn), 8 straights; The Ningbo International Circuit put into use in 2017 is a counter-clockwise layout, max elevation difference 24 meters, total 22 corners (including 13 left turns, 9 right turns), changing corners combined with terrain drops, creates a big difference compared to the Sepang track which emphasizes high speed.

More corner challenges do not affect the drivers' confidence in competing. As the second round of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asian Challenge 2026 season, the main highlight is currently the Super Trofeo European race champion team Vincenzo Sospiri Racing (VSR) who leads the Pro championship. Drivers Liam Sceats and Gustaw Wisniewski from New Zealand, after winning the overall championship at the Sepang International Circuit, will face strong opponents from the PRO group such as Batmobile Racing, Bundang by Racegraph, Busan by Racegraph teams.

Among them, it is worth mentioning the Lamborghini Busan by Racegraph team lineup. Chinese driver Liu Zexuan will partner with 2000 Macau Grand Prix Champion André Couto, replacing the previous Qian Long and Kim Sangho combination. Liu Zexuan, since starting his racing career at age 26, has already achieved remarkable results in Asian GT events and Formula racing series.

Compared to the more exciting PRO group, the other two groups: PRO-AM group, AM group also each have highlights. Drivers who won the PRO-AM group championship in the first round will also face challenges from Adam Putera and Kumar Prabakaran who won the 2025 Lamborghini Super Trofeo European championship; The AM group highlights the solo driver Bertram Lau from the KAM LUNG Racing team, who tops the points table, and whether he can continue to maintain his form.

The Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asian Challenge second round will officially kick off on May 22. The first day is official practice. Qualifying starts at 10:20 AM on Saturday. The first race begins at 2:55 PM. The second race begins at 11:15 AM on Sunday.

After the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asian Challenge lands at the Ningbo track for the first time, the 2026 season will have two rounds held in China. After competing at the Ningbo track, from September 4 to 6, the fifth round will start at the Shanghai International Circuit, followed by the sixth race and World Finals at the Monza circuit in Italy.

Author: Lu Jia