Having already contested in LMP2 and LMP3 machinery in the Asian Le Mans Series, GT4 at the Bathurst 12 hr race this year and more recently a Porsche Cayman in the Creventic Touring Car Endurance Series, Aidan Read is set to embark on a new challenge as he lines up with FFF Racing by ACM to compete in the 2017 Blancpain Asia Series in a Lamborghini Huracan GT3.
Aidan will be joined in the car by Alberto Di Folco, an established member of the Lamborghini Squadra Corsa GT3 Junior academy and winner of the 2014 Super Trofeo Europe championship, and will provide an excellent benchmark for the 18-year-old Australian in his debut GT3 season.
The opportunity to compete in all six rounds and 12 events across four countries visiting the Formula 1 venues of Suzuka and Fuji in Japan and Sepang in Malaysia amongst others with the reigning GT Asia Champions is an opportunity and experience not to be missed.
You’ve raced in all sorts of cars and championships already this year, you must be looking forward to this challenge with FFF Racing…
“I think it goes without saying that this is a career defining opportunity to race in GT3. The move into GT3 has become quite a natural progression from my past season of racing, where I have graduated from single-seaters into Prototypes and lower level GT4 categories.
“It is very exciting to join a team that shows real promise for the season, FFF Racing and Lamborghini are proven to be a winning formula here in Asia. I look forward to meeting the entire team, and racing alongside Alberto Di Folco. I’m ready for the challenge and optimistic for the season ahead in Blancpain GT Asia.”
The calendar includes some circuit you already know very well
“The 2017 calendar has a mix of tracks that I’m familiar with, tracks I’ve had success at in the past, and new tracks that offer an added challenge. I think this is key for my development. I can’t wait to race at six of Asia’s best tracks.”
You will have an experienced Lamborghini driver as your teammate in Di Folco…
“I am very keen to meet Alberto, who is a successful young driver within the Lamborghini GT3 programme. It will be very useful to share knowledge and learn from our experiences and I think we will make a strong pairing on the grid.”
What are your hopes and expectations from the 12 races?
The team line-up is strong, and I will have the available tools to race at the front. I will be aiming to adapt to the GT3 scene, and use experience from Asian tracks and in similar cars to maximise my potential speed. If I can achieve this alongside FFF and Alberto I have no doubt we will share great results.”
This is a new championship and already has a strong entry list. The competition is going to be at a very high standard…
“The series looks to be very competitive. This is a key opportunity to show my potential in GT racing after an introduction to sports cars recently. I am very eager to keep my career momentum going with impressive results with FFF Racing.”
The series gets underway 8-9 April at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia and concludes in October at Zhejiang Circuit China.