First Korean Participant in Lamborghini Race... "Hope Interest in Motorsports Grows"

Office Worker and Korean-American Become Korea's Representative
Fastest One-Make Race Season Winner in the World

"Korea's general public shows a very high level when it comes to driving cars. However, compared to that, motorsports is like a 'frog in a well.' I hope related associations or companies will hold competitions that meet international standards. We believe our mission is to create a 'virtuous cycle' where companies sponsor and talented drivers can emerge."

Kwon Hyung-jin of SQDA-Grit Motorsports Team and Lee Chang-woo, representing Korea in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series (from left)
[Photo by Lamborghini Seoul]

In 2007, an office worker in the imported car industry began learning to drive?not just regular driving, but circuit driving. Despite arguments with his wife, he poured his entire monthly salary into participating in competitions. This office worker, who had been exploring the motorsports scene, eventually participated as part of the Korean team in a Lamborghini-hosted race for the first time. This is the story of Lee Chang-woo, a driver for the SQDA-Grit Motorsports team.

On July 20th, Lee Chang-woo, a player of the SQDA-Grit Motorsports team, was interviewed by our newspaper.
[Photo by Lamborghini Seoul]

His partner driver, Kwon Hyung-jin, is a Korean-American. He settled in Korea after meeting his current wife in 2011. After his wife, Kwon's greatest passion is cars. After driving a BMW M3, he dreamed of becoming a professional driver. Now 48 years old, he accepted Lee Chang-woo's invitation to participate in the competition. "There were family issues like children's education, but I didn't want to miss this opportunity."

On July 20th, after an interview with our newspaper, Kwon Hyung-jin, a player of the SQDA-Grit Motorsports team, is taking a commemorative photo.
[Photo by Lamborghini Seoul]

The team, composed of Korean drivers, is currently ranked first in the season of the world's fastest one-make race, the "Super Trofeo Asia Series." Overcoming formidable competitors in this motorsports frontier, Lee Chang-woo and Kwon Hyung-jin are now aiming to solidify their ranking in the 4th round held this month in Korea. Their future goal is to spark greater interest in motorsports.

This series is the Asian regional competition held across three continents: Europe, North America, and Asia. All drivers compete using the Lamborghini Hurac?n Super Trofeo Evo 2. The Asia Series consists of six rounds, with the 4th round taking place on the 18th and 19th of this month at the Inje Speedium in Gangwon Province. The team that wins the series earns the opportunity to advance to the Grand Final held in Italy.

The SQDA-Grit Motorsports team vehicle is running on the circuit at the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series Round 4 Japan event.
[Photo by Lamborghini Seoul]

There have been Koreans who participated in the Super Trofeo before. Actor Ryu Si-won, known as a car enthusiast, competed in this event in 2013. However, this is the first time a team composed entirely of Koreans has participated in the full season. The opportunity came by chance. Lee Chang-woo, who runs an automotive event agency, heard that the official Lamborghini importer in Korea (Lamborghini Seoul) was purchasing vehicles for the competition. He proposed to Lamborghini Seoul, "Let's form a Korean team and enter."

At the 1st round (Malaysia), where they proudly displayed the Taegeukgi on their car, the two drivers did not initially attract much attention. Kwon said, "For overseas drivers, it was practically the first time seeing Koreans in such a competition." However, the two drivers persevered and showcased their skills. They quickly gained attention by finishing 2nd overall and 1st in the AM (Amateur) class in the 1st round. In the 2nd round held in Australia, they again finished 2nd overall and 1st in the AM class; in the 3rd round, 5th overall and 1st in the AM class; and in the 4th round (Japan), they once again secured 1st in the AM class, maintaining their lead in the season standings.

The SQDA-Grit Motorsports team, who won Race 1 in the AM (Amateur) class at the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series Round 4 Japan event, is raising their trophy.
[Photo by Lamborghini Seoul]

Ahead of the Korean round, the two drivers plan to leverage their 'home ground' advantage to solidify their ranking. Lee Chang-woo stated, "Since Inje Circuit is our home track, our goal is to finish within the top 3 overall (across all classes)." Regarding the Grand Final, which is now within reach, Kwon Hyung-jin said, "I aspire to drive as well as the professionals, but just competing against them is an honor. If we make it to the World Final, it would be a very moving experience for us."

Through this competition, the two drivers hope to increase interest in motorsports. The potential is already evident. When the first round race, their debut, was live-streamed on YouTube, more than half of the 500 viewers were Korean. Comments supporting them were continuously posted in Hangul. Lee Chang-woo said, "What struck me most while racing overseas was the culture where spectators genuinely enjoy watching the races." Based on this interest, he expressed hope that a virtuous cycle would be created where companies sponsor drivers and benefit from advertising effects.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.