Malaysian Touring Car Challenge Takes Off at Sepang

The new Malaysian Touring Car Challenge (MTCC) series gets underway this weekend in Sepang at the Malaysian Super Series (MSS); taking the sports to a new level with better management for one of the world’s most popular racing segment.

Opened to cars between 1601cc and 2000cc and previously competed as the Supersaloon Championship, the MTCC would be run in compliance of related FIA regulations to allow competitors to take their race cars to race in more established international series like the World Touring Car Championship.

“I see this as a major step in Malaysian motorsports. Now, the competitors can take the same cars to compete in other international series. It definitely helps to cut cost and encourage progress and development in the sports,� says 2005 Supersaloon champion Eric Yeo.

Previously, he said, the Supersaloon Championship at the MSS only insisted on production engines but allowed plenty of modifications to the car; making the competition to be ruled by the ‘cheque-book’ and the cost going higher and higher.

“Now, the rules of competition are very clear,� said Eric. Cars eligible for competition at the MTCC are either the Group N cars between 1601cc and 2000cc under FIA Article 254; Group A cars between 1601cc and 2000cc under FIA Article 255 or the non FIA homologated touring cars up to 2000cc under FIA Article 277.

“The only problem is only timing … which is, however, not SIC’s fault. Times are bad for many of us and while many of us would love to be competing, money is the main problem. Yes, the new rules have helped reduce the cost; but motor racing is still very expensive in general,� said Eric, who is one of Malaysia’s top racers that are cutting down their racing activities due to budget constraints.

Apart from the introduction of the MTCC, the second round of the MSS would also see the new Malaysian GT Championship taking off. It takes over from the Supercar Championship, which like the Supersaloon Championship, competed on very loose regulations and wide open modifications.

Under the new Malaysian GT Championship, cars would be divided into two classes – the GT Class for the GT2 and GT3 cars; and the Sports Production Class for the GT4 cars as accordance to specific FIA rulings.

Round 2 would also feature the second round of the 1600cc Supersixteen Championship and the Bikerz Cup as well as Round 3 and 4 of the Asian Touring Car Championship.

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