Thai racing outfit PainKiller Racing are doubling up in the truest sense of the word at the MMER 2013, with two cars in two categories. Team owner and racer, Naputt Assakul reveals the game plan behind PainKiller Racing’s maiden voyage into the MMER.
Congratulations on your entry to the MMER, what vehicles will PainKiller Racing be running at the competition?
PainKiller Racing will be entering the Sport Production category with the Ginetta G55 and the Touring Production category with the Honda Civic FD.
Who has the team picked to race these cars?
In the Ginetta G55, it will be me, Umar A Raman (Class 1 winner S2K 2012) and Rudolf Yu whilst in the Honda Civic FD, we’ll have the talents of Paul Kanjanapas, Kantasak Kusiri (Thailand Touring Car Champion 2011 and 2012), Anothai Eamlumnow, Peerapong Eamlumnow and Jaturont Komolmis.
Does the team have a finish in mind for the event?
Well, since this is our first MMER we just hope to finish in top five positions in both categories. However, our immediate goal is for both cars and drivers to last the entire 12-hour race.
You’ve raced in Sepang before, what is the most challenging aspect of this track?
Actually, almost everyone on the team has raced in Sepang Circuit before, some more than others. This track is very technical and demands not only keen driving skills, but also an understanding of the laws of physic and how it works on a car’s suspension in different corners. This track also demands a high level of physical fitness due to its long and high G turns. At night, the lack of circuit lights in many areas will also be a highly challenging factor.
How has the team prepared for this race in August?
All the drivers are training themselves to endure the 12-hour race and some of us will be joining the practice sessions on July 30th – 31st. As for our cars, the Ginetta is being prepared in Malaysia using information we found out about the car from the Thailand Super Series race at Sepang Circuit in May to further improve the car. The Honda Civic is being prepared in Thailand by a mechanic team that prepared some of Thailand fastest touring car to hit Sepang Circuit in May this year.
Who do you think are your closest rivals in the MMER?
Being the first time entry to this race, it’s hard to gauge who our closest rival is or will be. At this point every team has an equal chance.
What do you think it will take to win this race?
For us, I think we have to have the car that can finish the race and the rest is up to our drivers and a bit of luck too.
