More Supercars For 2008 Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race

The ninth edition of the Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race (MME) had reduced the starting quota for the less powered racing cars with those below 1600cc in Class C to be allowed 18 starters as compared to 26 in previous years.

 

Class B for cars between 1601cc to 1900cc, which previously allowed 26 starters, would now have a maximum of 19 cars on the starting grid for the 2008 race, which would be held on the eve of Merdeka Day on August 30.

The higher classes of Class A for cars above 1900cc and the open Class O were the biggest beneficiaries of MME review; having allowed 20 cars for each category. For previous races, the organizers only allowed a total of 25 cars from a combined Class A and O.

"The changes are made in the interest of enhancing safety and to make the event more exciting for the competitors and the fans. So, as in previous years, the grid of the race would be decided based on the qualifying times of the drivers for the respective classes," says Datuk Azmi Murad, General Manager of Sepang International Circuit and event director for the 2008 Merdeka Millennium Endurance race.

The review of the race regulations also witnessed some changes in the eligibility of the cars for the open class which now allowed only the Super Touring cars GT2 cars and the National Series Production Cars over 1900cc with specifications as stipulated in FIA Article 257.

"The previous regulations provide some relatively loose clauses on the machines allowed under the open category. This year, we specifically defined the cars to eliminate any uncertainties," said Azmi, adding that fans can expect to see more supercars in action at this year's race.

Sepang F1 Circuit had been homologated by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to have a maximum of 77 cars for a rolling start. Except for its first edition in 2000, the event had drawn more the allowed 77 cars; forcing qualifying to come into play. 

While this year's race would be flagged off at 11am on August 30; finishing an hour before the 51st anniversary of Malaysia's Independence, qualifying would be held August 29 and August 28 would be for the official free practice.

"Registration for entries is already opened and competitors can contact us at the circuit to arrange for the registration. The closing date for submission of entries is on August 15," said Azmi, adding that the organizers would still accept entries after that date until August 20 but with a RM1,000 penalty.

Entries for Class A and O have been set for RM4,000 while the entry for Class B and C are set at RM3,500 and RM3,000 respectively.  

Two-time champion, the Proton R3 Racing Team – led by Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel, today submitted their application to the organizers to enter their R3 Satria Neo for Class C. Tengku Djan would be partnering R3 test driver Faidzil Alang and 2005 Proton Production Car champion Hafizy Hafiz.       

"Like everybody else, we are looking forward for the race this year. Naturally, the competition is Class C is going to be very stiff with only 18 cars from Class C to qualify for the actual race," said Tengku Djan, who personally felt that the organizers should have allowed more entries from Class C and B.

"We all know that Classes B and C are where the local drivers are. They have been the strong supporters for this event. They should be the emphasis of this event, which is the biggest event for them," said Tengku Djan, who proposed that alternatively, the organizers should hold a separate event for them like a six-hour endurance race before the MME.

For more details, contact the Press Officer Azhar Ghazali at 019-3837865.