Making history, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is introducing its second endurance race – the Sepang 1000km Endurance Race, which will be making its grand debut in June this year and having all the ingredients to succeed like the established 12-hour Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race.

Open to production cars below 1900cc – Class B and C of the old MME; the introduction of the 1000-km race has now split the Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race and, perhaps, effectively eliminated the painful experience of non qualifiers at the 12-hour race.

A maximum of 77 cars would be allowed to start the race with the quota set at 38 cars for Class 1 for cars between 1650cc to 1900cc and another 39 cars for Class 2 for cars with engine capacity below 1600cc.

With a minimum of two drivers and a maximum of four drivers to a car, the winner would be decided based on the total number of laps among those who completed the 1000km-test, which would be held on June 6. Qualifying would be held on the preceding June 5 while the process of registration, scrutineering and free practice would be done on June 4.

Except that it is now exclusively for Class A and the open class cars, the 2009 Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race has little changes in its rules and regulations. And, more importantly, like the 1000km Endurance Race, everybody can now qualify.

KEY RULES – SEPANG 1000KM ENDURANCE RACE

• A minimum of two and a maximum of four drivers to a car and two classes of competition – Class 1 and Class 2.
• Entry fees for Class 1 is RM2,000 and Class 2 is RM1,500. An additional RM1,000 is being imposed for submission of late entries.
• Entries to close on May 25, 2009. Late entries will be accepted up to June 5 with imposition of penalty.
• Maximum number of starters is 77 with a quota of 38 cars for Class 1 and 39 cars for Class 2.
• Each driver may drive up to 75 minutes and must rest a minimum of two-thirds of the driving time before resuming the race. Maximum cumulative driving time of any one driver is 3 hours and 45 minutes.
• Official fuel will be provided by the organizers and must be strictly used for free practice, qualifying and race. No other fuel or additives are permitted.
• Only tyres declared by the organizers can be used. Competitors will be advised accordingly.

ELIGIBLE CARS

Class 1

FIA Article 254 : Group N cars 1650cc to 1900cc
FIA Article 255 : Group A cars 1650cc to 1900cc
FIA Article 277 : National Series Production cars 1650cc to 1900cc

Class 2

FIA Article 254 : Group N cars up to 1600cc
|FIA Article 255 : Group A cars up to 1600cc
FIA Article 277 : National series production cars up to 1600cc

PRIZES

Class 1

Champion : RM30,000 and trophy
Second : RM20,000 and trophy
Third : RM10,000 and trophy

Class 2

Champion : RM25,000 and trophy
Second : RM15,000 and trophy
Third : RM8,000 and trophy

THE RACE SCHEDULE

• Thursday, 4 June 2009 Scrutineering & Free Practice
• Friday, 5 June 2009 Qualifying
• Saturday, 6 June 2009 Race (Flag off at 12 noon)

Participants can find the rules and regulations here.

• Results