Press Releases
Team Jebsen Climbs Leaderboard after Dramatic Fuji Weekend Team Jebsen, 2014 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, Rounds 6&7, Fuji International Speedway, June 6-8 – Round Up
Team Jebsen and driver Rodolfo Avila hit the ground running on their Japan debut at Rounds 6 and 7 of the
Showing formidable pace, Team Jebsen was immediately quick in testing and practice despite the damp, changeable track conditions. In a tough 30-minute qualifying session which was interrupted by a red flag period, Avila secured a second row start on the grid for Round 6 despite getting caught up in traffic.
Confident of their pace, Team Jebsen were keen to get out on track once race day dawned, but the clouds rolling over the picturesque Mount Fuji become increasingly threatening. The race was declared wet by track officials and the 28-strong field line up on the grid shot with wet weather tyres. However, just minutes before the off, the skies began to clear, the rain easing off. Team Jebsen had just seconds to decide whether to remain on the wet tyres or switch to the faster slicks which, if the rain returned, would potentially mean next to no grip.
Team Jebsen and Avila took the faster slicks options, and the team worked like lighting on the grid to ensure the car was ready for the start.
As the lights went out, Avila shot off the grid and a bold move saw him immediately challenging for second place in the order. However, seconds later Avila found himself shoved off the track after an over-ambitious move by a rival. That dropped him right down the order and, although he immediately set about powering back up through the field, a drive through penalty for a timing infringement during the last-minute grid tyre change, was to prove a further setback.
Undeterred, Avila once again pushed his Team Jebsen
Traffic in qualifying had prevented Avila for setting a quicker second-best time, so he lined up on the third row of the grid for Round 7.
For the second time that day, Avila got caught up in an early tangle off the grid, but held firm. When two rivals ahead were locked in a heated battle, Avila seized the opportunity to dive past and up to second. Coming under fierce attack from behind, Avila put in lap after lap of wheel-perfect driving, never once letting up on pace, utterly focussed and steadfast in his determination keep powering ahead.
On the final lap, almost with the chequered flag within sight, Avila came across the first backmarkers. Misreading which way the other would go, the pair touched, Avila spun and his rival behind stormed past.
Quotes from Team Jebsen
Rodolfo Avila
“It was such a tough weekend, but I have fallen completely in love with Japan and the Fuji track. Japan has an incredibly sophisticated motorsport culture, and it’s wonderful to race in front of such passionate fans.
On the track, we really didn’t have our fair share of luck this weekend and all the setbacks we experienced were at the hands of others. Now we are half way through the season, the pressure has really ratcheted up a notch all the way through the field – it’s so strong it’s palpable.
I pushed myself and the car so hard in Round 7, probably the hardest ever, so I’m glad we took points for 2nd. In the first race, again I pushed as hard as I could to claw back valuable championship points. We’ve climbed a position and celebrated a podium finish this weekend, so the end result was positive.
We have proved we have the pace, so let’s hope luck is on our side next time in Malaysia!”
2014
Provisional Race Calendar
| Date | Circuit, Country | Event | Round(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 28 – 30 | Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia | Formula 1 Support Race | Round 1 |
| April 18 – 20 | Shanghai International Circuit, China | Formula 1 Support Race | Round 2&3 |
| May 09 – 11 | Zhuhai International Circuit, China | China Touring Car Championship | Round 4&5 |
| June 06 – 08 | Fuji International Speedway, Japan | One Make Series Festival | Round 6&7 |
| August 15 – 17 | Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia | Asian Festival of Speed | Round 8&9 |
| September 19 – 21 | Marina Bay Circuit, Singapore | Formula 1 Support Race | Round 10 |
| October 17 – 19 | Shanghai International Circuit, China | Sportscar Champions Festival | Round 11&12 |
About Rodolfo Avila
Car No: 20
Avila began his career in karts, attending the Macau Karting School at 14, and winning the Macau Karting International A (Group B) a year later. In 2002, he graduated to single seater racing, becoming the youngest driver ever to compete at the Macau Grand Prix, racing in the Formula Renault event.
He took the Asian Formula Renault Challenge championship title the following year, making his Formula 3 Grand Prix debut at Macau in 2004. His career continued its extraordinary ascent, with Rookie honours in the Asian Formula 3 Championship in 2005, finishing 5th overall. A season in the prestigious British Formula 3 Championship saw him end the year 4th in the National Class for newcomers.
Avila made the switch to sportscar racing in 2008, when he became the youngest ever Asian Supercar Challenge Champion. He made his
About Team Jebsen
This year marks the tenth full
Team Jebsen is backed by the Jebsen Group. Established in 1895 in Hong Kong, the Group has since expanded its activities into a comprehensive business network throughout China, Taiwan and South Korea. Today, the Jebsen Group is structured around four strategic business units targeting the consumer, industrial, beverage and luxury sectors.
Jebsen is a name synonymous with
6/11/2014