Merdeka Race Established As Prestigious Race

August 07, 2009 19:56 PM

Merdeka Race Established As Prestigious Race

By: Ramjit

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KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- After 10 years, the non-stop, 12-hour Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race (MMER) has established itself as a prestigious race, especially for professional Malaysian drivers.

This is evident in this year's 10th edition MMER to be held tommorow (Saturday), with the gathering of renowned local drivers at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Among the top names on the racing grid are the country's sole driver in Formula 1 Alex Yoong, other F1 hopefuls such as Jazeman Jaafar who is currently racing in Formula BMW Europe, A1 Malaysia driver Aaron Lim, Formula BMW Pacific driver Fahmi Ilyas and World Touring Car Championship aspirant Farique Hairuman.

Other household motorsport names include Farique's sidekick Johan Adzmi, Tunku Hammam Sulong, Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir, Eric Yeo, Firhat Mokhzani and the list goes on.

"Yes, it is great to be here for the MMER. Although, I have been travelling to race, there is a little window in August to race in the MME and I am always up for it," said Jazeman who is the country's best hope to the Formula 1 starting grid at the MMER pre-qualifying press conference Friday.

Farique, who has been racing in MMER since 2001, said the race was his most important event in his racing calendar.

"I see that every year, more and more Malaysians are doing the nation proud by getting into the motorsport scene, and it is great to see all of us congregate in the MMER, once a year," he said.

Even big names such as Tim Sugden and defending Class O champion Daryl O'Young also believe the MME is an important, if not prestigious, race in this region.

"It is a tough race, mainly due to the heat. It gets hot fast but it's great racing. I am very excited to be here and hopefully, this will be a good weekend for us," said Sugden, who has participated in FIA GT, British Touring Car Championship and 24-Hour Le Mans race.

SIC chairman Mokhzani, who is also racing in this year's MMER, said the event was now a world-class event, with participation from drivers who had raced in Le Mans, World Touring Car Championship and others.

"The participation of these drivers raises the profile of the event, the cars are faster, more experienced drivers on the grid, the race is definitely more exciting this year," he said.

Mokhzani, who is also 2007 MMER overall winner, said he was happy with the number of participants and that it should grow to a full grid by next year.

He said, in view of the safety consideration, two slower classes were separated to eliminate unwanted incidents like those which occured last year.

MMER will be flagged-off at 11.30am tommorow and ends at 11.30pm.

Apart from the main race, race fans can also catch the Petronas Formula Experience, Classic car race and the Aston Martin Cup.

Entrance is free. For more information, visit sepangcircuit.com.my website.

-- BERNAMA

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