SECOND EDITION OF SEPANG 1000-KILOMETER GETS UNDER WAY

Under rare noon cloudy skies, the second edition of the Sepang 100o-Kilometer Endurance Race (S1K) blasted off the grid with Japan’s Juichi Umemoto of Pentagon J’s Racing Team leading from pole position as the competitors began their 181-lap battle.

Flagged off by Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chairman Datuk Mokhzani Tun Dr Mahathir, Umemoto would hope to emulate the achieve of Type R Racing Team, which won the inaugural race last year; virtually leading from start to finish in their awesome Honda Integra DC machine in a grid of 52 cars.

The defending champions, which is featuring the same partnership of Boy Wong Yew Choong, Soh Kee Khoon and Tek Kean Kang, however, was not as powerful as last year as they start from sixth on the grid in a less powerful Class 2 Honda Civic EK9 race car.

The team, which was installed as firm favourites for a second crown this year, was struck by misfortune after their winning Integra DC machine got burnt down and was completely destroyed when one of their mechanics was working on it on Wesak Day.

 

 

Despite the setback, Type R Racing did not want to be left out of this second biggest racing event in Malaysia after the 12-hour Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race as they quickly rebuilt the Honda Civic EK9 to enter the race.

Joined by his regular partners Wataru Maeyama and Chris Tan, the Pentagon J’s Racing Team would be determined to better their results last year where they finished fourth overall and third in Class  A; completing 181 laps – one lap behind the overall winner of 182 laps.

Following second behind Pentagon was JC Racing, which comprised three top Malaysian drivers – Eddie Lew, Keifli Othman and Patrick Tam, whom all had a disappointing inaugural race as all three drivers competing in three different cars failed to finish to the race.

As the team needed to cover 181 laps, the race is expected to end at about 9pm.

For details and media passes, contact the National Press Officer Norlina Ayob at 019-3174555 or e-mailnorlina.ayob@sepangcircuit.com.my