Origine Motorsport wins 2024 Shanghai 8 Hours

A field compiled from some of the best GT teams in China and the region have completed the second Shanghai 8 Hours around Shanghai International Circuit.

Despite a start under safety car in the pouring rain, the 2024 Shanghai 8 Hours was soon green-flagged for racing to commence.

A well-timed pit stop in the third hour and a dominant drive saw the #4 Origine Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R of YUAN Bo, Leo YE and LU Wei take the lead and then overall win ahead of GT3 polesitters #37 Winhere Racing by HAR of Andy DENG, James YU and LIU Hangcheng, who also finished on top of GT3 Pro Am class.

ZHOU Bihuang, ZHANG Yaqi, LIU Kai Shun and LING Kang finished third overall and second in class in the #2 Climax Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO. Malaysian-team, Viper Niza Racing, rounded out the Pro Am podium positions, scoring third in class and fifth overall for the #65 Viper Niza Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 of Douglas KHOO, Dominic ANG and Melvin MOH.

In GT3 Am, #33 33R by HAR Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II of Lean Shen LOH, XU Zheyu and LUO Kailuo started in thirteenth, but fought through the field to top of class and fourth overall. Hairie Zairel OH, Hazig Zairel OH and Aaron LIM Say Joon finished second in class, putting their #5 HZO Fortis Racing Team by Absolute Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II into podium position, ahead of the #777 Climax Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II of LI Dongsheng, LI Donghui, ZHOU Liyuan and YANG Ruoyu.

610 Racing took a one/two in GTC P, with the polesitters #610 610 Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of LI Tianduo, YAN Chuang, HU Bo and CAO Qikuan in first and XU Zhefeng, LANG Jiru, ZHU Jinwu and CUI Yue second in the #911 610 Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. 2023 Shanghai 8 Hours GTC winner, Z.SPEED, finished third in class with YANG Haojie, Eric KWONG and Leona CHIN Lyweoi behind the wheel of the #97 Z.SPEED Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.

GTC L was won by #710 Madness Racing Team Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo EVO2 Stephen HONG, Harry HE, Jason CHEN and KANG Zhilong.

It was an impressive pole position to chequered flag victory in GT4 for #886 Gaha Racing by HAR BMW M4 GT4 of YE Sichao, LI Hanyu, OU Ziyang and ZHANG Hongyu. In second place, 610 Racing added to their podium positions for the weekend with a second for ZHOU Han, WANG Yang, ZOU Yunfeng and WANG Yimin in the #222 610 Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. The #96 NOVA Racing Audi R8 LMS GT4 of XIAO Min, WU Zhenlong, CHEN Sitong and Air Tong YU finished third.

Despite a wet race day, an increased grid size including a doubling of GT3 cars, the race ran with few incidents for the treacherous conditions and all starters crossed the finish line, showing an impressive level of driving standards as endurance racing continues to grow and develop in the region.

Top Speed will now look towards March for the next running of the iconic Sepang 12 Hours. The 2025 event date and format will be released within the coming weeks.

Davide de Gobbi, General Manager of Top Speed: We were excited to bring the Shanghai 8 Hours back again for 2024 and add new teams to those who joined us last year. Despite the wet conditions, it was a success to see the high standards of racing in a community which continues to embrace endurance in this region. All our thanks go to Pirelli, and the teams, as we look forward to seeing everyone again at the 2025 Sepang 12 Hours!

Results are HERE