Season 2010 has been a good hunting year for Mohd Faizal Hassim in the Supersixteen Championship and ‘The Racing Haji’ - as he is popularly known among his racing friends – aimed to cap it with a double podium at the Malaysian Super Series (MSS) season-ender at Sepang Circuit this weekend.

“The mission is to take two more podium wins and cement my position as vice-champion for the season. If I I could manage that, then 2010 would be my best season in the MSS,” said Faizal, whose best overall position was fourth overall a couple seasons ago.

“Hopefully, that would open new doors for me. The mission is to secure a drive in a factory team next season. The Supersixteen Championship will undergo some transformation next year and I believe that should attract the interest of some factory teams,” said the Melaka-born driver, who is synonymous with completion #76.

With a total haul of 106 points after four rounds and 44 points behind championship leader Damien Dielenberg, Faizal said it would be unrealistic for him to pin any hopes of winning the overall title.  It would be Damien’s first crown in the series.

“The overall title is confirmed to be Damien’s. Even, if he decides to skip the final round, which I don’t think so, it will be impossible for me to catch up with Damien. I would need to win both races and that would be a first,” said Faizal, who has yet to take the top step of the podium in his MSS career.

“I am being realistic … targeting second overall. I believe that my battle will be with Boy Wong. Currently, he has 75 points. So, if I can take two podium wins in the final round, I should be able to realize my target,” he said, adding that he was not taking anything for granted despite enjoying a huge lead over Boy.

“I have had plenty of DNFs over the years racing at Sepang … there have been mechanical failures; and there have been racing incidents as well. So, you can never take anything for granted especially in the Supersixteen races. It has always been very competitive,” he said.

A strong motor racing enthusiast and a regular at SIC’s 12-hour Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race and the Sepang 1000-km, Faizal had, without fail, competed in Supersixteen Championship since the last five years in his trusted Honda Civic EK9 with support from close friends and family members.

“I am truly indebted to them. Everybody knows the difficulties in securing sponsors especially since the last few years; but they loyally supported me through their companies and their own pockets. They fully understand my love for the sports and I am blessed to have their support,” said Faizal, who has HSE Resources Sdn Bhd, DNT Tune Workshop and R3 Enterprise Workshop as his sponsors this season.

Round 5 this weekend would mark the end of the Supersixteen Championship, which had been the leading feature of the MSS since its inception in 2002. Beginning next year, the MSS would only be opened to cars that are newer than 2006 and they would be competing in a new Malaysian Touring Car class. For the first time this season, the Supersixteen Championship is competed on Federal tyres.

In the Malaysia GT Class, close friends Mok Weng Sun of Singapore and Dilantha Malagamuwa would be engaged in a private battle this weekend in search of their third MSS crown and the maiden Malaysian GT overall title.

With a century of points, Mok - overall winner in the MSS Supercar Championship for the past two seasons - holds a five-point advantage over the Sri Lankan driver, who has 95 points. Dilantha was the Supercar champion for 2006 and 2007 before his reign was ended by Mok.   

For the Sports Production Class, Rocky Siow has already been installed as the new champion as he holds an unassailable lead in the championship battle. After four rounds, Rocky has amassed a total of 135 points  with his closest challenger Ashraff Dewal in second with just 50 points.

Round 5 would be a combined event for both bike and car competitions. Qualifying will be held on Saturday and the two races for all championship would be run on Sunday, November 28.

2010 MALAYSIAN SUPER SERIES (CARS)

SUPERSIXTEEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Top Five Leaders after Four Rounds

1. Damien Dielenberg (Honda Civic)     150 pts
2. Mohd Faizal Hassim (Honda Civic)     106
3. Boy Wong Yew Choong (Honda Civic)      075
4. Winson Eu Tuck Meng (Honda Civic)     071
5. K. Indran (Honda Civic)     050

MALAYSIAN GT CLASS
Top Five Leaders After Three Rounds

1.Mok Weng Sun (Porsche Cup S)     100 pts
2. Dilantha Malagamuwa (Porsche 997 GT3)     95
3. Tunku Hammam Sulong (Lamborghini LP560)     40
4. Jeffrey Lee (Porsche 997 GT3)     35
5. David Lai (Porsche Cup S)     30

SPORTS PRODUCTION CLASS
Top Five Leaders After Three Rounds

1.Rocky Siow (Lotus Exige)     135 pts
2. Ashraff Dewal (Lotus 2-11)     50
3. Gerard Yap (Lotus Exige)     40
4. Greg Teo Bee Tat (Aston Martin)     25
5. Adrian D’ Silva (Aston Martin)     25

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• Bikes