Hayden Haikal has a tough weekend ahead, but he could take home gold at 18 years of age.
18 year old Hayden Haikal has showed loads of promise at a local level, having won the Super Sporting Class for the Vios Challenge and placing 2nd at the recent S1K race. Now, the young Malaysian racer has a chance to bring his country and himself an international win. This weekend, he will be competing in the Thailand Super Eco series at Buriram.
Hayden Haikal is currently 2nd in the championship and just 20 points behind Na Dol Vatanatham. Both Haikal and Vatanatham have been equally dominant, so it may be down to the closest margins. Hayden Haikal will be the only non-Thai driver on the grid of 23 drivers this Saturday and Sunday.
The last two rounds of the Thailand Super Eco series consists of 2 12-lap races over the weekend.
Here’s the press release with more information about Hayden Haikal’s experience at this year’s Thailand Super Eco series.
PRESS RELEASE
Young Malaysian racer Hayden Haikal will be digging deep this weekend when he competes for the prospect of being crowned the overall champion in the Thailand Super Eco saloon car series at the Buriram Chang International Circuit.
With three 2nd places and two race wins in 6 rounds of racing so far, the 18-year-old is currently 2nd in championship just 20 points behind Na Dol Vatanatham who has 105 points to his tally.
Both drivers have proven to be dominant in the series and their races results almost identical, but Vatanatham has the advantage of one extra race win as a result of Hayden’s misfortune in scoring any points in Round 2 due to a technical issue with his Honda Brio.
“Mathematically, I have a good shot at winning the overall title in the Thailand Super Eco Series but it’s going to be a very tall order, especially with the dominance championship leader Vatanatham has demonstrated over the last six rounds. Anything is possible is the last two races of the season. I just have to remain focused, drive my own race and let the math sort itself out,” said Hayden who admitted that while he would be gunning to end the season on a high, the prospect of coming in second in only his first full season competing in Thailand would be equally an achievement he can be proud of.
The final two rounds of the Thailand Super Eco series will consist of two 12-lap races on Saturday and Sunday (10 and 11 December). A total of 23 drivers will be taking to the grid with Hayden being the only foreign driver.
For a first timer competing in Thailand, Hayden has quickly established himself as one of the series’ favourites with his matured driving and consistent results.
The Thailand Super Eco Series is run on both street and permanent circuits. Hayden’s Thailand Super Eco Series campaign had kicked off in June with the first two rounds held at the Bangsaen street circuit before rounds 4-6 moved to the Buriram Chang International Circuit.
With five years of experience competing on street and permanent circuits in the Malaysian Vios Challenge racing series however, making his debut at the Bangsaen Grand Prix proved anything but intimidating for Hayden who confidently raced to a second place finish in his debut.
“Overall, it has been a fantastic year of racing for me, having won the Super Sporting Class for professional drivers in the Vios Challenge and recently being placed second overall in the Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race. And now, being in contention for the championship in Thailand in only my first year racing abroad is just phenomenal.
“My original intention was to gain as much exposure competing abroad. To be in the position that I am going into the final two races is indeed a huge boost in my racing career and another important step in moving up the motorsports ladder.”
