Australian David Wall Sets Modest Target of Top 10 Finish at MME

27 August 2008, By Sepang International Circuits

Boosted by his splendid result at Bathurst 12-hour race back home early this year, Australian Carrera Cup driver David Wall aims to make a similar impact in Sepang at the 2008 Petronas Primax 3 Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race this Saturday (August 30).

“I am hopeful that I will be able to replicate the result I scored at the Bathurst 12-hour race held earlier this year. I had the car on pole and came home in 5th place outright and took home the victory in my class,” said Wall, who would be competing in the open class at the MME with fellow Australians Barton Mower and Damien Fleck in a Porsche 996-RSR.

Nicknamed Wallie, the 25-year old driver from Sydney competed in Sepang’s 12-hour race in 2005 with Des Wall and Peter Hill for Gates Racing Team in a Mazda RX-7 but did not achieve the desired results despite a splendid qualifying result where they managed seventh fastest out 84 cars.

Now a leading driver in Australia, Wall, who was the Carrera Cup 2006 Rookie of the Year and third overall in Australian GT Championship last year, aim to do better; setting a target of a top 10 overall finish for the 2008 race.

“We have a break of more than seven weeks in the Carrera Cup Australia, so the timing of this race in Sepang is ideal. I am really excited about racing in the Merdeka Millennium Endurance,” said David, adding that the event had made quite an impact in Australia.

“To have the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious international event will be a great learning opportunity. Racing against some of the best endurance drivers in Asia will push us, but we are aiming for a top ten finish,” said Wall.

With Kuala Lumpur-based Danville Motorsports providing technical support for the race, David would be competing in the open class along with 21 other entries. Only 20 would qualify for the race; along with 20 more from Class A for production cars above 1900cc, 19 from Class B (cars between 1601cc and 1900cc) and the remaining 18 from Class C for cars below 1600cc.

Qualifying would be held on Friday (August 29) with the actual race to be flagged off at 11.45am on Saturday (August 30) and finishing 12 hours later on the same day.

Commenting on the race, Wall said: “A 12-hour endurance race requires a very different approach to the sprint races that are the norm in the Carrera Cup series in Australia. It will be very exciting.

“I am really looking forward to being reunited with the Porsche RSR that I campaigned in the 06/07 GT Championship and am excited about teaming up with my best mate and fellow Carrera Cup Australia competitor, Barton Mawer," added Wall.

Fans can watch all the session including the race itself from the Main Grandstand is free.

David Wall – Profile

Nickname: Wallee
Date of birth: 19.01.83
Birthplace: Sydney NSW
Lives: Mt. Annan, NSW
Interests: Motorsport, general sports, family and friends
Career highlights: Carrera Cup – 2006 Rookie of the Year; GT Championship – 3rd overall 2007
Previous categories raced: Go Karts, Improved Production, Production Sports, Sports Sedans, GT Championship and Carrera Cup.
Cars Driven: Holden Commondore, Toyota Supra (Chev), Mazda RX7 (twin turbo), Porsche RSR, Cupcar and V8 Supercar.

Results:

1998 – 1999:

Go Kart Junior Jay Heavy Third North Shore Championship.

2000-2005:

125 Rotax Light Northshore Karting Champion
Campaign Holden Commodore in Improved Production with Podiums
Numerous State and National rounds in Toyota Supra Sports Sedan with one setting Pole Position new lap record and round win.
Campaigned Mazda RX7 SP in N.S.W championship with round wins and podiums
Pole position, new lap record and race win at Wakefield Park 3 Hour Endurance race in the Mazda RX7.
Campaigned Mazda RX7 SP in Merdeka Millennium Endurance in Sepang. Qualified 7th out of 84.
RSR Porsche debut at Eastern Creek A1GP 3rd

2006: