PORSCHE CARRERA CUP ASIA ADDS EXCITEMENT IN MCS ROUND 3

Thursday, 12th July 2019 - The Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) enters its third round this weekend at Sepang International Circuit with the national championship series sharing the track and limelight with the prestigious Porsche Carrera Cup Asia series, which will run three races including a night race under the floodlights on Saturday.

 

Kicking off this season as the F1 support race in Shanghai, China in April, it will be Round 6, 7 and 8 at the Malaysian track for the international one-make race exclusively for Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. The Round 6 will also be the 200th race of Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.

 

After five thrilling races, it is defending champion Chris van der Drift of Kamlung Racing at the top of the standings for the Pro category with a total haul of 86 points; holding a 13-point advantage over his New Zealand compatriot, Will Bamber of Team Giltrap Group with 73 points. Germany’s Philip Hamprecht of Team StarChase is third on 71 points. The Pro-Am class is led by China’s Bao Jinlong of Zheng Tong Auto, who has 94 points and a 13-point advantage over Singapore’s Yuey Tan of Nove Racing Team. But, with three races over the three-day programme including two on Saturday, things are likely to change drastically before their next round at Bangsaen Street Circuit in Thailand.

 

As in the previous rounds, competition in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is expected to be a close, hotly-contested affair; providing plenty for excitement and joy for racing fans, whom can catch all the actions as well as the MCS and Classic Car Challenge for free from the Main Grandstand over all three days.

 

Apart from the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, the Asia Classic Car Challenge returns to join Round 3 of the Malaysia Championship series with exciting actions on track with their classic machines.

 

Competition in the MCS is expected to be equally stiff especially in the S-Production Class 2 where SIC’s Talent Development driver and e-sports (e-MCS) champion 2018, Ady Rahimy Rashid is currently locked at the top of the S-Production 2 class with the Malaysia-Japanese partnership of Chong Kiat Wai and Takashi Ito of Riyoz Racing on 54 points. Both are driving Suzuki Swift machines.

 

Equally dangerous will be the other international partnership of Riyoz Racing – Tam Yiu Kee of Hong Kong and Macao’s Lo Kai Fung, who are third with 38 points with their Honda Fit RS machine. Malaysia’s 15-year old sensation, Mohamad Hayden Mohamad Haikal of ST Wangan Racing Team is fourth for the class with 32 points in a Toyota Vios.

 

“I am really looking forward for this weekend to compete in Round 3. It has been a long break. I hope to do well and win both races; as I did for the opening round; and take control of the championship. But, having said that, I know that it would not be an easy task. But, I have been working hard with my dad at SSAD (Split Second Advanced Driving) and also going through the simulators again and again. I am ready to do well,” Adi said.

 

 

The S-Production Class 1 is currently led by the Japanese partnership of Ken Urata and Masahiko Ida of RWORKS Racing. Driving the Honda Civic FD2 machine, the dynamic duo has garnered 54 points from the two rounds; winning the opening two races and coming second in both races in Round 2. They led the Malaysian partnership of Ahmad Tarmiza Tahang and Mohd Zuraimi Mustapha of R-Engineering, who has 42 points and are on a similar Honda Civic FD2 machine. Brendan Paul – another entry R Engineering entry in a Honda Civic FD2 – is third with 30 points.

 

Partnering Mohamed Farouk Abdul Kathir, R-Engineering team owner, Lai Wee Sing leads the T-Production class with a total haul of 42 points with their Honda FD2 R machine; holding a six-point champion over two-time winner Mark Darwin. Representing ST Wangan Racing Team, a Singaporean partnership of Teh Kian Boon and Desmond Soh is third with 34 points with their awesome Mercedes AMG A45.

 

After two rounds, Malaysia’s Drift Princess, Leona Chin of Tedco Racing leads the M-Production class, with a total haul of 42 points. But, she will be severely tested this weekend by the high profile partnership of Fariqe Hairuman and Syafiq Ali of the illustrious Proton R3 Motorsports team, who are currently joint second with Farid Sani and Lau Joo Yong with 30 points.

 

Fans can catch all race actions live from day to night on social media through SIC’s Facebook page. To be closer to the actions, fans can purchase Paddock passes, which will be offered on sale at the Paddock entrance.

 

RACE PROGRAM – ROUND 3

 

Friday, 12th July 2019
1100 hrs – 1145 hrs: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Free Practice 1 (45 min)
1200 hrs – 1230 hrs: Malaysia Championship Series Free Practice (30 min)
1445 hrs – 1530 hrs: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Free Practice 2 (45 min)
1545 hrs – 1615 hrs: Malaysia Championship Series Qualifying (30 min)

 

Saturday, 13th July 2019 1200 hrs – 1230 hrs: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Qualifying (30 min)
1245 hrs – 1315 hrs: Asia Classic Car Challenge Free Practice (30 min)
1415 hrs – 1520 hrs: Malaysia Championship Series Race 1 (1 hour plus leader)
1600 hrs – 1630 hrs: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Race 1 (13 laps or 30 min)
1700 hrs – 1730 hrs: Asia Classic Car Challenge Qualifying (30 min)
2000 hrs – 2030 hrs: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Race 2 (13 laps or 30 min)

 

Sunday, 14th July 2019
0915 hrs – 0945 hrs: Asia Classic Car Challenge Race 1 (10 laps)
1010 hrs – 1115 hrs: Malaysia Championship Series Race 2 (1 hour plus leader)
1140 hrs – 1210 hrs: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Race 3 (13 laps or 30 min)
1245 hrs – 1315 hrs: Asia Classic Car Challenge Race 2 (10 laps)

 

For more information, please contact SIC National Press Officer Nor Lina Ayob at norlina.ayob@sepangcircuit.com.