Two weeks after the final round of the 2019-2020 Asian Le Mans Series, what are your thoughts on this past season's new features, such as a race in Australia at a new circuit, a night round in Malaysia and a finale held for the first time at Buriram in Thailand?

"This season was extremely special, in more ways than one. If you consider the action on the track, meaning the quality versus the quantity of the field, it was our best season yet. We had 27 high-caliber competitors entered for the season with fierce battles in every class. For example, in the last race of the year at Buriram, the titles were up for grabs across the board. In LMP2, the fight in the final stints was stunning.

Going back to the composition of the field, we have noticed encouraging indications, such as 80% of the GT grid was made up of Asian teams, more than a third in LMP2 and also the participation of a first Japanese team in LMP2. This is evidence of the fact our championship is taking a real foothold in Asia, which is also characterized by the confirmation of certain talents and the emergence of others. For example, Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, a superstar in Australia expected to take the start in the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans, who represents Eurasia Motorsport in LMP2, and Shaun Tong who gave a Japanese team its first podium finish in LMP2."

Did the new features meet your expectations and those of the competitors?

"Yes, and they are a part of the growth of the series in motorsport and in the media. They are the fruition of five years of work. The series has made its mark in Asia (and outside of Asia) and is drawing more and more teams as a championship to win. It facilitates participation in endurance racing thanks to the ACO, affords a lot of track time at excellent circuits and allows established and new teams to train in stints, pit stops, strategy and night driving. We represent the Spirit of Le Mans in the region and have never compromised the level required to progress in endurance racing. 

This year, we organized the first ACO race in Australia, at The Bend Motorsport Park, the second longest permanent circuit in the world. We held a night race for the first time in Malaysia, a real advantage ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The finale at Buriram with battles through the last laps is a great metaphor for the level of the entire season."

How is the 24 Hours of Le Mans represented in the media these days? 

"The connection between Asia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans is very strong, especially in Japan. The film "Le Mans '66" ("Ford v Ferrari"), the second major American movie about the 24 Hours, has had a hand in its growing popularity in Asia. Not many other auto races can boast that amount of interest at the theater. This allure is constantly growing in Asia Pacific, and the Asian Le Mans Series, which is more and more publicized in this part of the world, is the perfect bridge for the fans and one of the best springboards for the teams.

I cannot talk about this fifth season without mentioning Gary Khor who was a member of the team and who passed away suddenly after the last race. Gary had been working with us for nearly three years and was a diehard veteran of auto racing in Asia. I want to pay him tribute and salute him on behalf of the entire paddock."