Asian Motor Sports

Three days before the official closing date, event organizer Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has received a total of 74 entries for the Petronas Primax 3 Merdeka Millennium Endurance race (MME) including a full grid of 20 cars for Class A for production cars above 1900cc.

“As of to-date, we already have 19 entries for the open class; 20 for Class A; 15 for Class B for cars between 1601cc to 1900cc and 20 from cars below 1600cc in Class C. We should be having more than the permitted 77 cars when comes qualifying on August 29,” says SIC Press Officer Azhar Ghazali.

Last year, SIC had a record entry of 103 cars, which was later reduced to 77 for the actual race as according to the maximum number of cars permitted by the FIA circuit license for a rolling start.

In an effort to enhance safety and enjoyment for the fans, SIC had revised the quota for qualifying for the 2008 race with the open class and Class A taking the biggest share with 20 entries each. Class B and Class C, which used to be allowed a maximum of 26 entries each, had been reduced to 19 and 18 respectively.

While the closing date for submission of entries had been set on August 16, the organizers would still accept late entries up to August 28 but with a penalty of RM1000. Registration fees for Class A and the open class are set at RM4,000 while for Class B and C teams pay RM3,500 and RM3,000 respectively.

“If we go by experience and the overwhelming response to the event this year, the number of entries for 2008 should exceed last year’s total of 103. We have a lot of new entries this year and a lot of interest from the international teams, said Azhar, adding that the entries included two Aston Martin Vantage race cars from Hong Kong and a trio of top Porsche Carrera Cup Asia drivers – William E. Connor, Alain Li and Matthew Marsh.

“The list is very impressive – there’s a host of Porsche RSR and Lotus machines. We will also see the return of the Petronas Syntium Team, which narrowly lost the race last year after leading up to the 11th hour. The Honda Malaysia Racing Team should be favourite again for Class A. The battle in Class B and Class C, on the other hand, have always been close and thrilling. We should be seeing a great race this year,” Azhar added.

Among the men would be an all-ladies team of Red Bull Rookies, which would be making their debut in the race in a Honda DC2 for Class B; featuring Puteri Ayu Jasmin, Norlina Johor, Norbaizura Ruslan and Leona Chin.