SEPANG, May 27, 2010: The Sepang International Circuit will be hosting the Sepang 1000km Endurance Race, or popularly known as the S1K from June 3 to 5. First introduced to the Malaysian motorsports last year, the S1K is a spin-off from the Merdeka Millenium Endurance Race (MMER).

“The S1K is like a stepping stone for newcomers to the racing world and for inexperienced teams before they can take part in the MMER,” said SIC chief executive officer Razlan Razali.

The MMER is the most competitive endurance race in South East Asia, with professional drivers and ex-motoring car drivers taking part in the race. As the MMER gains popularity over the years, more big budgeted teams with faster and more powerful cars enters the race, and the smaller, less powerful cars were left behind.

“We decided to introduce the S1K to allow more people to participate in motorsports. We had always reached the maximum grid capacity in the MMER, and many people were left out because they could not qualify,” said Razlan.

“There were also concerns with regards to safety. The speed difference between the bigger cars and the smaller cars grew quite vast over the years, and so it became more dangerous for the racers.

“There were quite a few accidents involving the smaller capacity cars and the more powerful ones. So the S1K was introduced to provide a more level playing field, catering to production cars below 1900cc.”

SIC has set a maximum of 77 cars to start the race, with the quota set at 38 cars for Class 1 (cars between 1601cc to 1900cc) and 39 for Class 2 (cars below 1600cc). Each car taking part in the S1K race must have a minimum of two and a maximum of four drivers, and the first team to complete 1000km will be declared as the winner.

During its inaugural run last year, Soh Kee Koon, Wong Yew Choong and Tek Kean Kang from Team Type R 21 had dominated the S1K race, having managed to stay in the top four teams throughout the race in their Class 1 Honda Integra.

The team completed the race in 8 hours, 49:30.103. The trio were highly experienced drivers and have taken part in the MMER race. They have also been dominating other local races including the Malaysian Super Series (MSS).

The team will also be joining the race this year, said Tek Kean Kang. “We’re confident about the race. We have a team, but winning the race is not just about the skills, it also depends on quite a bit of luck, the weather and the tyres,” he said, adding that the team aims to retain their title as the overall champion this year.

Participants will have to register on June 3, and will be allowed to hold their practice sessions after their registration. The qualifying rounds will be held on June 4 and the race will be held on June 5.

A team can register as many entries or cars as they like but one driver can only race in one car or class. The first team to cross the finish line will be taking home RM30,000 (Class 1) and RM25,000 (Class 2).

There will be 19 cars competing in the Class 1 category, and 31 in the Class 2 category. The overall winner from the event last year, Wong Yew Choong, Soh Kee Koon and Tek Kean Kang from Team R Racing, and Class 2 winners Lai Wee Sing, Farriz Fauzy and Tseu Chan Kee from Team Mofaz Racing are back to defend their title this year.

This year, Federal Tyres have been chosen as the official tires for the S1K.
The tires will be available at the track starting from the first date of the Sepang 1000KM paid practice session i.e. 4th May 2010.

Tickets for the S1K are priced at RM5 for the Main Grandstand area and paddock passes can be purchased at RM80 (exclusive of RM2 transaction fee per ticket). Entrance for children below seven years old is free.

As part of the excitement at the circuit on race day, there will also be a colouring contest and singing competitions for the kids, as well as special appearances by Upin and Ipin, Malaysia’s own popular cartoon characters to entertain the crowd.

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