ASTON Martin racer Andy Meyrick rounded off his 2011 season with a trip to the Far East to compete in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.

The former Chester King’s School pupil shared the wheel of his V12-powered Aston Martin DBR 1-2 with experienced sportscar aces Stefan Mucke and Harold Primat in China.

The six-hour race took place at the Zhuhai circuit and witnessed the racing return of former Formula One champion Mika Hakkinen.

Both Meyrick and the Aston Martin team were making their first appearances on the technical Chinese track, and they finished the 249-lap race in sixth – 10 laps adrift of the dominant Peugeots in sixth, but third of the petrol-powered LMP1 cars.

Meyrick, of Delamere, said: “We went to China hoping to win the LMP1 petrol category, but unfortunately our car wasn’t suited to the layout and nature of the circuit.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t finish with a podium, but ultimately it was important to get the points.

“It was also the last race for (Aston Martin team prinicpal) George Howard-Chappell with the team and I want to say what a pleasure it has been to have worked with him.”

Howard-Chappell said: “We know the DBR1-2 and our drivers are capable of winning elsewhere and Stefan, Harold and Andy have been strong all weekend.”

The Aston Martin squad has confirmed it will compete in the 2012 Le Mans Series, but has yet to give details of who will be driving for them.