NEWPORT’S Rory Collingbourne has swapped his Renault Clio for something a little faster after signing up to take part in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia with top team Leipert Motorsport.

The 19-year-old, now a client of management agency Veloce Sports, graduates to the international motor racing stage on the back of two seasons in the Renault UK Clio Cup.

Collingbourne is setting out on a path into the world of GT endurance racing in the prestigious one-make Lamborghini category as teammate to Australia’s Ben Gersekowski.

“Very exciting times are ahead,” said the teenager. “This year is going to be a big challenge, but one I am more than willing to take on.

“Turning professional at 19 years old isn’t what a lot of people my age achieve, especially racing on the opposite side of the world.

“Driving for Leipert Motorsport has definitely given me the best chance to compete at the sharp end in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia – it’s a world-class team with proven results.

“This is just the start for what we have planned for the future, and Veloce Sports have been a massive help. It’s a world-class management team and I can’t wait to represent them as a driver.”

Getting under way over the weekend of April 8-9 at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia – one of four Super Trofeo championships across the globe – will run alongside the new Blancpain GT Series Asia category.

Contested across five race weekends, there will also be an end-of-year World Final event at Imola, Italy, in November.

Collingbourne will pilot a Lamborghini Huracan LP 620-2 Super Trofeo in his maiden season at this level, marking a significant step up in terms of speed and performance from what he has been used to.

Notably, Collingbourne will also be switching from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive, a key consideration for his career progression in GT racing.

He added: “Racing in the Clio Cup in the UK has taught me all the skills I’m taking to Asia.

“The close battles and tenths of a second splitting the grid up will prove essential experience for my move to the Lamborghini grid.

“Moving from front-wheel drive to rear is a challenge I’ve been wanting to take on for a while now. I’m sure it will only take a couple of laps to feel at home.

“I will be working alongside a great teammate in Ben Gersekowski. He has an impressive history of race wins and championships behind him.

“We’ve already had a quick conversation and we both agreed on the same thing – we’re not traveling out to Asia not to bring back any trophies!

“I also cannot wait to start working with Lamborghini as a brand, I'm sure we will work very closely.”

Former racing driver Rupert Svendsen-Cook founded Mayfair-based Veloce Sports and he believes the move into Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia marks a fantastic opportunity for the Welshman.

“Rory has been on our radar for some time and we are very happy to finally get him on the books,” he said.”