Designed with the spirit of competition and inclusivity at its core, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series has served as a launchpad for both seasoned racers and ambitious newcomers across continents, from Europe to the United States and, more prominently in recent years, Asia.

We spoke to Francesco Scardaoni, Regional Director of Automobili Lamborghini Asia Pacific, during the latest round of the Super Trofeo Asia in Sepang, Malaysia. His insights illustrate the brand’s strategy not only to grow its motorsport presence in the region but also to democratise access to the Lamborghini racing ecosystem.

Preserving the Gentleman Driver Spirit

“The Super Trofeo series was originally created for gentleman drivers,” Scardaoni explains. “That DNA remains central to our vision even as the competition has become more dynamic and professional over the years”.

To maintain this ethos, Lamborghini introduced the Lamborghini Cup, a dedicated category within the series that ensures amateur racers still have the opportunity to compete meaningfully. As the series attracted more professional drivers, it became harder for hobbyist racers to reach the podium. The creation of separate classes allowed Lamborghini to stay true to the inclusive roots of Super Trofeo while elevating the level of competition.

“It’s really about giving people a chance,” he adds. “Many of our current GT3 and endurance drivers started in Trofeo. It’s a place to begin, to learn, and to grow.”

Greater Accessibility Through Engineering and Format

“The Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2, and in the future, the Temerario Super Trofeo, are competent machines that are also remarkably approachable for aspiring racers,” Scardaoni says.

In fact, the performance of these race cars is such that, on certain circuits, they’ve been known to lap faster than GT3 competitors. Yet the vehicles are also designed to be user-friendly, allowing drivers to ease into the world of GT racing without needing the infrastructure of a full factory backed team.

To further support customer racers, Lamborghini offers varying levels of factory assistance from technical consulting to parts support, ensuring teams can compete with confidence whether they’re professionals or independent entrants.

Sepang and Southeast Asia: A Motorsport Hub

Scardaoni is particularly fond of the Sepang International Circuit, describing it as “a demanding yet rewarding track” with “a mix of tight corners, high-speed sections, and ever-changing weather conditions.” He adds, “Malaysia is vibrant, welcoming, and central for Southeast Asian participants. It creates a unique motorsport atmosphere that we value deeply”.

The popularity of the series has prompted Lamborghini to expand its calendar to include more Southeast Asian venues. In 2026, the series will make its debut at Buriram, Thailand, an indication of the growing appetite for motorsport across the region.

“Thailand has a strong motorsport culture and a very engaged Lamborghini customer base. It’s important for us to race where the passion lives,” he shares.

Technology Transfer and the Road Ahead

Beyond racing, the Super Trofeo series also plays a critical role in Lamborghini’s product development. “Cars like the Huracán STO were born directly from our motorsport programmes,” Scardaoni notes. “The aerodynamics, electronic systems, even the steering feel are direct evolutions from our racing platforms”.

This philosophy of “race to road” remains a cornerstone of Lamborghini’s identity, ensuring that what is learned on the track informs and enhances the brand’s high-performance road cars.

Looking ahead, the next-generation Temerario GT3 and Super Trofeo cars are set to replace the Huracán variants by 2027. While these will remain ICE-powered for simplicity and reliability, especially critical for customer racing, Lamborghini is testing tyre configurations and planning broader technical support to ensure the transition is seamless.

An Invitation to Join the Family

When asked what he would say to a fan considering attending or participating in Super Trofeo Asia, Scardaoni replies with a smile: “Come experience it. The cars are fast, the atmosphere is incredible, and it truly feels like a family. We don’t rely on celebrities to represent our brand, but our customers. They are our true ambassadors”.

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The opening race in Sepang, Malaysia, heralds the return of the much-missed championship after a long three-season hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first shakedown circuit will be Malaysia’s 5.543km, FIA Grade 1 Sepang International Circuit with the field contesting the first two, 50-minute races of the year. This is also where the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 will make its Asian racing debut.

“The return of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia will reignite motorsport in the region, and we’re thrilled to reunite the Asia Pacific Lamborghini family, welcome new teams and drivers, and debut the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2. We are looking forward to a truly memorable season,” said Giorgio Sanna, head of Lamborghini Motorsport.

The 2023 lineup also features a whole international roster of skilled and talented drivers, including a fellow Singaporean in the mix. Jason Loh will be going up against some of the world’s best, and the field has a good mix of veterans and new faces.

A dedicated, professional coach will also be at the disposal of all series drivers at every round of the series as part of the comprehensive driver and team support package. At Sepang, the designated coach is Macau Grand Prix winner André Couto, who amassed vast experience contesting the Japan Super GT in a JLOC Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO over several seasons.

Of course, the real star of the show is the new formidable Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2. Featuring radical aerodynamic refinements over its predecessor its uncompromising design was created by Lamborghini Centro Stile. New light clusters and a pronounced ‘omega’ lip at the front, culminating in new air curtain intakes help optimise airflow.

The iconic 5.2-litre NA V10 engine now delivers up to 611bhp, retaining its goosebump-inducing legendary sound. A sound that has since become synonymous with the Lamborghini Super Trofeo.

Drivers will be competing for four championship titles over the Lamborghini Super Trofeo 2023 season – Overall, PRO-AM, AM and Lamborghini Cup, with combinations of FIA-ranked Bronze, Silver and Gold drivers.

Each race weekend will feature two 60-minute free practice sessions followed by two 15-minute qualifying runs to set the grids for each of the 50-minute races. Each race also includes one mandatory pitstop. Championship points, like other racing series, are awarded for the top 10 finishers on a descending scale from 15 to 1, with an additional point for pole position in each class.

Australia is also a new destination for the Super Trofeo race circus, held at The Bend Motorsport Park, located 100km southeast of Adelaide.

South Korea’s Hankook will be the global official tyre partner for the 2023 season and joins long-time Asian series collaborator Roger Dubuis in supporting the championship.

All races will be live-streamed via the Lamborghini Squadra Corse YouTube channel.

Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia 2023 Provisional Calendar

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