The Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Datuk Razali Ibrahim launched the Sepang 1000km (S1k) race at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) along with SIC Chairman Datuk Mokhzani Tun Mahathir recently.

The launched was initiated with the unveiling of the S1K race trophies followed with a meet and greet with some of the teams that attended the launch.

“Motor racing is something that can be used to bring together  the different races and the S1K is another exciting race concept that can achieve this,” the deputy minister said at the launch.

Some of the teams present were Type R racing team, Redbull Rookies, KL Tower Racing team, A3 Power, Redline Oil Racing team, Puspacon racing team and Race.

The inaugural event will be flagged off this weekend with 57 teams signed up to date.

One of the main features of the race is the introduction of control tyres to make the race more level and keep the cost low for the teams.

All the teams in the race will be using Archilles 123 supplied by Multistrada tyre company.

“The Archilles provides the best compromise between cost and performance, by using the same tyre for the entire race teams this makes it a level playing field for all,” said Mokhzani.

In conjunction with the event, Proton R3 took the opportunity to unveil their Satria Neo race car for the S1K.

Hoping to repeat their Sepang 12-hour Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race (MME) victory last year, Team Proton R3 and X1-R are joining forces again to top Class B.

Team manager Tengku Djan said, “nothing has been changed much as to compared to MME as both are endurance race.

Although we don’t have the pace of the faster Hondas, again strategy comes into play in such a long race.

We will be improving more on our pitwork and driving, being precise is the word here and hopefully we can repeat last year’s success.”

And here are among teams that present during practise session today (Wednesday, 3rd June 09)

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