Triple Eight JMR’s Mercedes-AMGs were first in after spending the opening stint inside the top-six, but #88’s chances always appeared slim thanks to the maximum 15-second Success Penalty that dropped Luca Stolz and Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim down the order. A spin later in the race ensured Saturday’s winners failed to score a point.
A third FCY/SC period was required just as the window closed when Andrew Macpherson’s AMAC Porsche made heavy contact with the wall following a tap from R&B Racing’s #87 911. AAS/Absolute’s crew would have lost the lead anyway due to their Success Penalty, but Inthraphuvasak was now at least back in the hunt.
The Thai slotted into fifth behind new race leader Lee whose co-driver Goetz kept Picariello in sight during the first half-hour, Junsan Chen’s BMW, Liu, and AAI’s other M4 driven by Kevin Chen.
Lee initially bolted clear when the Safety Car was withdrawn but was then reeled back in again by Liu who found a way past Chen. He was soon on the back of his team-mate who appeared to make space for the lead change at the final corner with just over six minutes remaining.
Next to have a go was Kevin Chen who’d earlier passed his AAI team-mate and namesake after rebuffing Inthraphuvasak’s attacks. He was hounding Lee as the clock ticked towards the finish but misjudged his braking point and hit the Mercedes-AMG’s rear, which sent it spinning at Turn 8. Both he and Inthraphuvasak – who was up to fourth before the collision – got through unscathed, but the same couldn’t be said for Junsan Chen who was powerless to avoid Lee.
Chen’s subsequent penalty immediately dropped the car he shares with Klingmann from second to 14th.
Taking the results from the previous lap will at least come as some consolation to Lee, Goetz and Craft-Bamboo who were reinstated to second place post-race. Inthraphuvasak and Picariello leave Buriram as early championship leaders thanks to their second podium of the weekend, while Junsan Chen and Krohn were classified fourth despite their BMW failing to complete the final lap.
Phantom Pro Racing were provisionally classified third but dropped to fifth following reinstatements. Nevertheless, Ling and Cao can be happy with their Silver class and Fanatec China Cup victories after qualifying 22nd and taking the final restart from 14th.
But theirs wasn’t the only Phantom Pro Audi in the overall top-six: Chris Chia and Mikkel Mac also made significant progress from 15th on the grid to finish one place ahead of the leading Am class duo, Phuakkarawut and Promsombat.
Fanatec GT Asia continues in a month’s time at Fuji (June 16-18) where 40 cars are expected for the first of this year’s Fanatec Japan Cup-counting rounds.