Twice champion for the class, Type R Racing Team will be taking a cautious approach at the 14th edition of the Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race (MMER) at Sepang International Circuit this weekend despite their wealth in experience and a brilliant track record at the 12-hour endurance race. Defending their Touring Production crown this year, the awesome trio of Lai Wee Sing, Boy Wong Yew Choong and Soh Kee Khoon, who was second in 2011 and winner in 2009 when the class was categorized as A2 Class, has predicted a tough battle this year especially with the race having a midnight start.
“Midnight start is always challenging. You have to be very careful. For me, I have always like an afternoon start when we have more daylight,” said Lai, a two-time Malaysian Super Series Supersixteen Champion and twice the Sepang Drag King for the premier class.
“This year also have a lot of strong teams. So, very difficult to predict,” said Lai, who felt that it would be an open affair this year. The team skipped the competition in 2010 but Lai came second in the class, partnering Moh Tze Yang and Kelvin Phoon for Team HKS Garage R Racing. Also featuring the GT Class, the GT Cup Class and the Sports Production category, the MMER competitors this year would have the free practice session on Thursday August 29 followed by qualifying rounds the next day. The race would be flagged off at midnight on Saturday September 1. So far, 16 cars have registered for the Touring Production Class including four cars from Team ST Powered – winner of the class in 2011 with Desmond Soh and Teh Kian Boon, who would have a new partner in Derrick Ang. Lai has also predicted strong opposition from Wing Hing Motorsports, which have entered two strong teams including a trio of highly experienced Japan’s Super GT drivers of Akira Ida, Takeshi Tsuchiya and Morio Nitta in a Toyota GT86 machine. Its other entry is equally strong with Kenny Lee, William Ho and Australian Chris O’Shannessy.
Another team to watch, according to Lai, will be the top Australian team of Jim Hunter, Gavin Bullas and Grant Johnson, who was second to Type R Racing Team last year. Eddie Lew, who won the class in 2010 with Honda Malaysia Racing Team, is also expected to offer a strong challenge this year as the Johor-based driver joined forces with JC Racing and partnering top Malaysian drivers Eric Yeo and Keifli Othman.
Fans can catch all the actions from the 2013 Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race for free at the Main Grandstand. SIC has also lined up a host of exciting off-track activities at the spectators’ areas for fans to enjoy the event with their friends and family members.
