How It Was Like Attending Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia, The Fastest One-Make Championship In The World

In our test drive of the Huracan STO last year, we loved the car on the road for its engagement that causes sweaty palms, its raw V10 that sings a heavenly tune and surprisingly good road manners.

So when we attended Lamborghini’s first Super Trofeo Asia race after a hiatus of three seasons, we were truly excited to see the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 make its first race debut. This year, it is also the 60th anniversary of Lamborghini as well as the 10th anniversary of Lamborghini’s motorsport division, the sexily named Squadra Corse.

We will bring you the lowdown of being right in the priority seat of watching the Super Trofeo race.

A cup car with race car credentials
But first, more about the EVO2 which makes its first debut at Super Trofeo Asia. The EVO2 is a race-modified version of the roadgoing Huracan STO, bridging the very small gap between road car and track car. Much of the technology of the EVO2 car will probably go on to be implemented on the series production cars - for example, the Huracan Evo incorporates technology from the Super Trofeo EVO1 car.

Approximately 80% based on the roadgoing Huracan but purpose built as a race car, it features new light clusters, a pronounced ‘omega’ lip at the front and new air curtain intakes to optimise airflow. In the EVO2, the 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine delivers up to 620 CV of power (this is actually 20 CV less than the STO), while the carbon intake duct and racing exhaust system create an even more extreme aural sensation from the mighty naturally aspirated motor. The biggest update to the EVO2 is in its brakes and it is said to brake as well as a GT3 car.

Lamborghini says that the EVO2 comes close to GT3 performance, the next level of motorsports in the racing hierarchy. The highest is Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh), where Lamborghini will debut its own vehicle in 2024 that will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The EVO2 is designed to be easier to manage and handle, while also giving some adjustability via switchable traction control and ABS modes. Some cars are even specified with air conditioning - not to cool the cabin, but rather to cool a driver’s head via pipe into the helmet.

The easiest way to enter Lamborghini motorsport
The above characteristics hint at what the Super Trofeo is all about - offering the easiest way to access Lamborghini motorsport. Offering identical cars specified with the same setup, fuel and tyres, it gives a level playing field for customer teams to participate. A season of racing costs an average of around 300,000 euros for a pair of drivers.

There are several categories in Super Trofeo. Competing at the highest level are ‘PRO’ drivers who are attempting to pursue a professional racing career, perhaps to be hired by a manufacturer works team one day. Then there are amateur drivers in the ‘AM’ class, who may sometimes be paired with a ‘PRO’ driver mentor, in which case they then compete in the PRO-AM class. Lastly, there is the Lamborghini Cup class which consists mainly of gentlemen drivers.

Super Trofeo helps to export the DNA of Lamborghini, offering amateur and pro drivers a taste of the Italian lifestyle through Italian cars and Italian hospitality. Case in point, we were served freshly cooked pasta and gelato while resting in between races. There is even an on-site oven catered to bake pizza.

Highlights of the Super Trofeo races at Sepang
Sepang International Circuit hosts the first of six rounds of Super Trofeo Asia. Among 20 cars participating, there are two drivers from Singapore - 27-year-old Ni Weiliang of Korean team Racegraph, and veteran Jason Loh who races for Iron Lynx, LMDh hypercar programme partner for Lamborghini Squadra Corse.

The race featured two, 60-minute free practice sessions followed by two, 15-minute qualifying runs to set the grids for each of the 50-minute races.

For both races, we got the chance to do a grid walk before the cars head out to be positioned at the start line. There was excitement in the air mixed in with a bit of chaos as deafening noises emanated from the pits as the cars started one by one and lined up on the pit lane. It was surprisingly easy to get close to the cars, with spectators being hustled left, right and centre to get out of the way of the cars launching out of the pits.

After lining up at the starting line, we got another chance for a short photo opportunity with the cars and their drivers before the race then begins proper. Once the track was closed to spectators, we were whisked off to various viewing points around the circuit to get more photos. On the first day, things were dicey as it started raining before the race started.

Teams were deciding whether to switch to wet tyres, and some did while others did not. Watching the cars fight for traction on the damp track was something to behold - showing that even these incredible beasts were not immune to nature. It was common to see cars understeering and some even spun.

Day two had better weather and the cars could then be stretched to their full potential. It was this time when we could really see some exciting wheel-to-wheel action as the cars were a lot more packed to each other. The EVO2s seemed to be wonderful cars - fast and glorious on the straights, while finding immense traction as well on the sweeping corners. Before long I yearned for my own seat time in a Lamborghini - and I got my wish. More on that later.

After Sepang, Super Trofeo will head to Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, concluding at the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Grand Final at Italy’s Vallelunga Circuit in November.

The future of racing
With Super Trofeo restarting in full force, one cannot help but wonder if the race series will also follow the electrification strategy of Lamborghini’s road cars.

However, when asked whether Super Trofeo will ever use hybrid or even electric Lamborghinis, the firm answer from the Italian manufacturer is ‘no’. Racing hybrid cars will require ‘sophistication at the highest level’, says Lamborghini, and they don’t think it is suitable for customer teams.

Also, unlike road cars, there are currently no emissions regulations or legislations for race cars to meet. A point for sustainability is the possible use of biofuels, which can be implemented fairly easily in the near future.

Now I know what I’d do if I had lots of money…
Attending Super Trofeo was an eye-opener into the world of customer racing. While I’m content to satiate my racing cravings via go-kart races, I can see the appeal of racing in Super Trofeo, which gives a taste of true competitive driving while being very approachable with comparatively low barriers to entry. It certainly would be an exceptionally fun way to enjoy the fruits of one’s hard work.

Photos by Lamborghini

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