Photo : Rewind Magazine

 

David has driven in every round of the 2013 Asian Le Mans Series and is currently in second place in the LM P2 Drivers Championship. Born in Beijing, David has a huge amount of experience for someone so young, including the U.S. F2000 National Championship, American Le Mans Series (in the LM PC/Formula Le Mans class), MME, Grand-Am Continental, Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia, Formula Masters China, Asian LMS and more, consistently achieving wins and podiums around the world.

David Cheng: "2013 has only been better [than previous years]. Focusing on LM P cars we started off the year with a win at the 12 Hours of Sebring, which nominated me this past June as 1 out of 10 Outstanding Youth by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chinese Overseas. Since then I've competed in 4 more rounds of the American Le Mans Series including this past weekend at Petit Le Mans where our PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team just took the Drivers Championship for my full time co driver by 1 point. For me this was only 1 week after our Oak Racing Team Total just took the win in Zhuhai."

How did you get into motorsports?
"I was first introduced to racing at the age of 12 when my friend's father took us karting, as soon as I first drove I knew it was what I wanted to do. But in my early years of karting I had to hide it from my mother as she did not approve, thinking it was too dangerous. So in those years I saved up all the money I could, from lunch money to birthday and Christmas money, to sneak out with my friends and their parents to go karting."

What does competing in Asian LMS mean to you? And what do you think it means to Asia?
"To be able to have the honour of taking part in the inaugural season of any series, but especially the Asian Le Mans Series is beyond a dream for me. I've always loved Le Mans style sports car racing. For many drivers F1 is the ultimate goal, but for me the 24 Hour race is my pinnacle. But to be a part of this great organization from the start and having a hand helping forge the future of this sport is a very unique opportunity. Being a Chinese driver I hope what I can accomplish will help grow the sport and the industry to new and unseen heights throughout China and all of Asia."

With both the Team and Drivers Championships on the line how are you feeling going into the 3 Hours of Sepang (December 8, 2013)?
"How this race will come out no one can predict, all we can do is our absolute best and that is what my OAK Racing Team Total team brings every race. I also know that I have the full support of my team mate Ho-Pin Tung and I have 100% confidence in him as well. We turned the momentum of KCMG at Zhuhai and we're only going to bring it on harder going into the finale round. KCMG you've been warned!"

From an Asian Le Mans Series press release