Marchy Lee

Marchy Lee
Marchy Lee
Born	September 2, 1976 (age 50); Hong Kong
Occupation	Racing driver
Years active	1996–present
Known for	First Formula 3 competitor from Hong Kong; 2012 Audi R8 LMS Cup champion

Marchy Lee Ying-Kin (Traditional Chinese: 李英健), born in 1976, is a racing driver hailing from Hong Kong. Beginning his motorsport journey at the age of nine, he became the pioneering Formula 3 competitor representing Hong Kong and has taken part in the renowned Macau Grand Prix.

Currently, Marchy competes in the Audi R8 LMS Cup with Audi Ultra, having secured three victories and four pole positions since 2012. He lives in Hong Kong with his spouse and two daughters.

Early career

Born on 2 September 1976, Marchy was inspired by his father to pursue racing, starting with karting at a young age. Following the inauguration of the Zhuhai International Circuit in 1996, he triumphed in the first-ever China Formula Campus Championship, which granted him a scholarship to attend the La Filière racing academy located in Le Mans, France.

During three years in France, he progressed from Formula Campus to French Formula 3, achieving commendable performances. Due to financial limitations, he returned to Asia and took part in Formula 3 competitions across Asia and Australia. He earned two wins in Asian Formula 3 at Sepang International Circuit and finished seventh at the Macau F3 Grand Prix.

In August 2003, piloting a Dallara F301 Renault under difficult weather conditions at the Australian Formula 3 event held at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, he secured pole position. That season, he also won two races in Formula BMW Asia in Beijing and placed second in the Macau Formula Renault race. Additionally, he competed in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia series, finishing fifth despite encountering mechanical difficulties.

Formula BMW Asia, F1 and Formula Asia V6

In 2004, Marchy joined the leading Asian squad Team Meritus for Formula BMW Asia, dominating by winning twelve out of fourteen races and becoming the first Chinese driver to clinch an international formula racing championship. This achievement led to a three-day test with the Team Rosberg Formula 3 team.

Following his championship win in 2004, Marchy was scheduled for an F1 test with Minardi at Mugello, but logistical complications caused its cancellation.

Without sufficient sponsorship during 2005 and 2006, he managed to secure a last-minute opportunity to race again for Team Meritus in the Formula Asia V6 by Renault series at Zhuhai. He finished runner-up in the final round while recording the fastest lap, revitalizing prospects for sustaining a professional racing career beyond 2007.

2007

At the start of 2007, Marchy participated in the Asian Super Car Challenge at Zhuhai, achieving one victory and one second-place finish driving a Ferrari 430. He also secured two runner-up results in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia rounds held at Sepang.

Confirmed as Meritus Racing’s driver for the 2007 Formula Asia V6 by Renault campaign, Marchy targeted leveraging success there as a pathway toward competing in the Champ Car World Series during 2008.

On 13 July, he signed with a newly established team led by Adrian Fu to contest the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia under the banner “Racing for Charity,” supporting the Child’s Dream Foundation.

On 1 August, it was announced by A1 Team China that Marchy would participate in their rookie test session at Silverstone, vying for a position alongside Cheng Congfu as representatives for China in A1GP. On 20 September, he was officially appointed as the second driver for A1 Team China and made his debut at round two held in the Czech Republic on 12 October. During rookie sessions, he contributed valuable data while Cheng secured top-10 finishes.

On 4 November, Marchy claimed victories in rounds eleven and twelve of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia at Zhuhai. Later that month, he finished fourth—later promoted to third following penalties—in the Macau Porsche Carrera Cup event.

2008 Speedcar Series & Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

Marchy Lee made history as the first Chinese competitor in the debut season of the Speedcar Series, piloting car number 50. Although he did not complete his initial two races in Malaysia and his opening race in Bahrain, he achieved a 4th place finish in the second Bahrain race, followed by a 5th and then a 3rd place in Dubai.

In addition, he took part in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia representing Team BetterLife, where he secured 2nd and 4th positions at Sepang, and subsequently finished 2nd and 5th during the Shanghai rounds.

2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

During the 2010 season, Marchy competed in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia under Red Bull Racing, managed by Dynaten Motorsports. He claimed two victories at Zhuhai in June. Despite facing stiff rivalry from Simonsen and Christian Menzel at the final Zhuhai event, he concluded the championship as runner-up.

On 7 November 2011, Marchy partnered with Matthew Marsh and Alex Yoong to pilot an Audi R8 LMS for KK Performance (also operated by Dynaten Motorsport) in the 2010 1000 km of Zhuhai, part of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Starting from eleventh on the grid, their No. 98 Audi took over the GTC lead following a retirement of a sister car and ultimately finished 12th overall.

Just two weeks later, on 21 November 2010, Marchy drove the same Audi R8 LMS to a runner-up position in the Macau GT Cup, finishing behind defending champion Keita Sawa, who drove a Lamborghini LP560 GT3.

2011 World Touring Car Championship

On 10 March 2011, Marchy Lee declared his participation in the 2011 World Touring Car Championship with KK Motorsports but withdrew after competing in only three rounds.

2012 Audi R8 LMS Cup

On 11 November 2012, Marchy Lee secured the inaugural title of the Audi R8 LMS Cup after achieving second place in the final race held at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Racing career

2015 Nurburgring 24h
2015 Blancpain GT Endurance Championship
2015 Audi R8 LMS Cup
2014 Audi R8 LMS Cup – finished fifth overall
2013 Macau GT Cup – placed fourth
2013 Audi R8 LMS Cup – third overall
2012 Audi R8 LMS Cup – Champion
2010 Macau GT Cup – runner-up
2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup – GTC category victory at 2010 1000 km of Zhuhai
2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia – second overall
2006 Formula Asia V6 by Renault (Round 12, Zhuhai) – second place & fastest lap
2004 Formula BMW Asia Series – Champion with twelve wins out of fourteen races
2003 Formula Renault (Macau) – second place
2003 Formula BMW Asia (Beijing) – first and second places
2002 Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix – seventh place
2000 French Formula 3 Championship (Class A) – ninth place
1999 French Formula 3 Championship (Class B) – fifth in class
1998 French Formula Campus – fourth overall
1997 China Formula Campus – Champion

Complete WTCC results

(key) (Bold indicates pole position; italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Team	Car	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	DC	Points
2011	DeTeam KK Motorsport	BMW 320 TC	BRA 1 16	BRA 2 16	BEL 1 Ret	BEL 2 DNS	ITA 1 20	ITA 2 14	HUN 1	HUN 2	CZE 1	CZE 2	POR 1	POR 2	GBR 1	GBR 2	GER 1	GER 2	ESP 1	ESP 2	JPN 1	JPN 2	CHN 1	CHN 2	MAC 1	MAC 2	NC	0

External links