Words & Pictures: David Lee
It’s was that time of the year again. The Japanese super cars and cute “kawaii” gals were recently back in town for 2007 Malaysian round of Autobacs Super GT Round 4 at Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
This year’s race saw both classes having more teams racing then last year. They were 16 teams in GT500 class and 22 teams in GT300 class. All these teams were here to contest fiercely in this year’s special round 4 of the Super GT series. The 2007 SIC round of Super GT race was special because it commemorates the celebration of 50 year anniversary of Japan-Malaysia diplomatic ties and friendship. This was celebrated with a special procession of Japanese and Malaysian children during the start procedures, as well as other activities for kids throughout the race weekend at SIC, such as a first ever special pit walk specially for kids.
There were also the normal events and procedures of the race weekend, such as the parade of the beautiful and sexily dresses race queens carrying flags of the teams they represent and getting the crowds going during the start of race procedures; the pit walk for the motorheads and fans of the race queens to catch pictures of the teams, their cars and the sexy race queens, as well as get freebies from the teams; the support races, like the Formula V6 Asia races, the Asian Formula Renault Challenge races, Formula BMW Asia races, and a new support race this year, Asian GT Challenge races.
Other exciting attractions at this years GT was Drift Attack challenge at the car park, with Malaysia’s Prince of Drift, Tengku Djan Ley judging the competitions. There was also a GT car look alike competition at the mall area of SIC.
The race this year again saw the top GT500 cars complete a total of 54 laps, like last year. The top GT300 cars manage to complete a total of 50 laps. Teams from both classes raced fiercely pushing their full raced prepared Lexus, Nissans, Hondas, Vemacs, Lamborghinis, Porches, Ferraris, Subarus, RXs, etc to the limit to fight for place on the podium.
In the GT500 class. The most notable performance came from the winning team, Kondo Racing – Woodone Advan Clarion Z in their Nissan Fairlady Z. They started 14th on the gird and raced all the way to the top spot on the podium with a time of 1:49:13.210. Not to be outdone, Team Kunimitsu Raybrig Honda NSX started 7th on the grid to finish second with a time of 1:49:24.461, even with a drive through penalty for jump starting. The third and final spot on the podium was grabbed by Team Impul - Calsonic Impul Z with their Nissan Fairlady Z with a time of 1:49:31.643. Last year’s champs, Daisuke Ito and Ralph Firman in their Arata Honda NSX only managed 6th place despite starting 2nd on the grid.
The GT300 also saw some exciting racing. The current championship leader, Toy Story Racing apr MR-S racing team led the race from pole position right to the end in their Toyota MR-S, completing a total of 50 laps, with a time of 1:49:53.783. The second position was taken by Ebbro Team Nova in their Vemac 350R, with a time of 1:50:09.570, completing 50 laps as well. The final podium position was taken by Mola houzan Dunlop Z in their Nissan Fairlady Z, completing 50 laps with a time of 1:50:11.620.
Our new found friends Cusco Dunlop Racing in their Subaru Impreza did quite well finishing 50 laps with a time of 1:50:23.470 to secure the 5th position after starting the race in the 11th position.
As usual it was an exciting day at the races for us. What can petrol heads like us ask for, fast and fantastic cars driving at high speeds and not forgetting the pretty sexy race and GT Queens. We can’t wait for next year’s race to come again. Well done to all the teams.
