Aaron Kwok Takes Up Motor Racing Because Of Passion, Not For Fame

By Jaiarajo Letchumanan SHANGHAI, May 14 (Bernama) -- Aaron Kwok, Hong Kong’s celebrated singer, dancer and actor, says he took up motor racing because of his spirit and passion for the sport and not for fame. "When not performing on stage or involved in shooting for movies, I love to be on the fast lane, and racing has become a passion for me because I enjoy the spirit of racing. "That was why when I saw an opportunity to join the Audi R8 LMS Cup series, I quickly grabbed it. I also like what Audi has decided to do to promote racing to the masses," the Hong Kong screen heartthrob told Bernama. Kwok says the Audi Cup also gave amateurs and racing enthusiasts like him as well as professional racers in the region an opportunity to compete on a level playing field. He was among 16 amateur, young and professional drives from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia, including former Formula One driver Alex Yoong, took part in the race. Kwok's participation in the Audi R8 LMS Cup race, which ended last week, attracted scores of fans and race marshals had a difficult time shielding him from adoring and stubborn fans who took every opportunity to take pictures with the star. The race series will feature five rounds, two at the Zhuhai International Circuit in southern China, two at the Shanghai International Circuit and one at the Ordos International Circuit in Inner Mongolia. Each round will have a winner while the accumulated points will decide the overall winners in three categories - overall champion, amateur champion and team champion. Kwok finished 11th in Race 1 that was won by Alex Yoong of Malaysia and managed 6th placing in Race 2. With his main rival in the amateur race, Jeffrey Lee of Hong Kong retiring in the first lap of Race 2, Kwok took the amateur title. Beaming with joy with the win, Kwok, despite his hectic schedule, promised to take part in all the remaining races and help Audi promote motorsport. "I have two movies waiting and a number of stage performances confirmed but I want to be a part of the action in all the Audi R8 LMS Cup races," he said. Kwok is known to be a collector of sports cars and a keen enthusiast for racing in amateur races. He participated in a Ferrari F355 race at the Macau Grand Prix, a Formula Campus charity race while other notable participation include the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, where he raced in a Porsche 911 GT3. His collection of sports cars and roadsters include the Ferrari F50, F512M, F355 GTS, F360 Modena, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Lamborghini Diablo SE30, Mercedes-Benz SL600, Mercedes CLK DTM and Porsche 911 Turbo. His other "hot wheels" include the Enzo Ferrari, a carbon version Pagani Zonda F, Lamborghini Reventon Roadster, Lamborghini Murciélago, Gallardo, Porsche 996 GT3 and Nissan GTR. Kwok has won numerous awards, including the ‘Asia Pacific’s Most Popular Artist Award’ in 1999 and ‘Ten Most Outstanding Young Persons Award’ in 2003. On Feb 17, 2008, Kwok entered into the Guinness Book of World Records when he held an "Aaron Kwok De Show Reel Extension Live" concert at the Hong Kong AsiaWorld Arena with the largest revolving stage measuring 10 metres by 9.44 metres. -- BERNAMA