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Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Nik Iruwan receives Formula BMW scholarship
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian driver Nik Iruwan Nik Izani who emerged as one of the four brightest candidates from Asia, received the Formula BMW Asia Scholarship worth US$50,000 (RM190,000). Nik Iruwan, 19, who had been involved in karting since the age of nine, had notched up a number of impressive wins to emerge as Malaysia's very own recipient of the prestigious scholarship.
“Formula BMW had produced some very good drivers since it began. Names like Ralf Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and Tung Ho Pin are among some who went on to test F1 cars after doing well in the championship.
Nik Iruwan :“As a driver under the scholarship, I'm privileged to be in an elite and comprehensive training programme that will naturally help me become a better driver. This is something that I need, especially in my first year on single-seater racing and I intend to make full use of it,” said Nik Iruwan on Friday. BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director Wolfgang Schlimme said the scholarship was not just the cash amount but also encompassed a full education and coaching programme, free-of-charge, designed to churn out skilled professional young single-seater racers.
“The programme includes driving skills and tactics, vehicle dynamics and chassis setup, fitness training and nutrition, media training and public relations, sponsorships and sports management, provided by a team of experts in the field of international motorsports,” he said. Schlimme said this is BMW's way of nurturing youngsters from the very beginning and grooming them for an international career in motorsport by training them to the highest possible levels by drawing on the vast expertise and experience of BMW Motorsport.
Nik Iruwan joins Robert Boughey, 21, of Thailand, Gaby Dela Merced, 21, from the Philippines and South Korea's You Kyong-ouk, a scholarship driver last year and winner of the Rookie Cup, in Bahrain for the 2004 Formula BMW Asia season. Nik Iruwan is realistic about his ambition to reach the highest echelon of international motorsport.
“Like every racing driver, my ambition is to race in Formula 1. However, it has to be done step-by-step without rushing into it. I have to be patient and keep producing good results. “I hope the people of Malaysia will be patient to see me succeed,” he said. “While Formula BMW has already produced a number of talented Asian drivers, we hope to see a Malaysian rise to the fore. “We feel it is important that youngsters be given an opportunity and as a good corporate citizen, we feel it is our social obligation to create this opportunity,” said Schlimme.
The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix from April 2-4 will give the newest crop of Asian hopefuls a chance to show their skills to an audience that would include leaders of the international motorsport community. The impressive BMW single-seater weighs 455kg unmanned. A 140bhp BMW four-cylinder engine propels to speeds of up to 230kmh (143mph). “From a BMW Malaysia perspective, this is just the first step. We are here to contribute for a long term,” Schlimme said. – Bernama
Nik Iruwan Nik Izani
Posted at 09:42 pm by tan
BTCC Season Opener Shows Encouraging Form For Team PSP
Monday, April 12, 2004
Fariqe during his pre-season run in UK.
Team PSP opened its 2004 BTCC season at Thruxton with a fine turn of speed from its new car and drivers, but bad luck and incidents caused by others prevented both drivers from earning much better results.
Fariqe Hairuman: "My first race weekend in BTCC was both a thrill and frustrating. I qualified safely and then had engine problems. However, I know I have made progress."
Shaun Watson Smith: "BTCC is a great place to be until somebody drives into you - I'm sure I would have a podium place in the second race otherwise. Our new car is very quick and consistent in high-speed corners and I had a great day's racing with lots of overtaking. I'm very motivated for the season." Mike Carroll (Chief Engineer): "It was a positive day for us although the results don't do us justice.
Fariqe put up his best performance since arriving in the UK; Shaun survived three racing incidents in Round 2 and still finished strongly with the second fastest lap to his credit. In the last race he was in 5th place and challenging for fourth before the man in front succumbed to pressure and went off, collecting Shaun in the process. We can be encouraged by this weekend."
David Wong (Team Principal): "This is the most competitive year in BTCC and I am confident we have a very quick new car with more speed to come. Today we were unlucky but we are looking forward to Brands Hatch in two weeks' time. Our PETRONAS engineers have some engine developments under way which will help us challenge more strongly for podium places."
Posted at 12:03 am by tan
Saturday, April 10, 2004
Troy Corser bounced back in the second race of round two of the World Superbike championship at Phillip Island to finish fifth and complete a top ten double with team-mate Chris Walker. The Australian former world champion, on home territory and in front of a large partisan crowd, held off the challenge of Noriyuki Haga, a winner at the first round in Valencia, to make up for a troubled opening race of the day. And with Chris `The Stalker' Walker producing another gutsy ride to complete his second top ten finish of the day in eighth, PETRONAS were able to maintain their position of third in the manufacturers' standings. Another home favourite, Garry McCoy won his first World Superbike race after both factory Ducati riders, James Toseland and race one winner Regis Laconi crashed out, before fellow Aussie Steve Martin broke down while leading.
Troy said: "It was really good to be dicing again and I enjoyed that race. We changed the engine from the morning race, which had over-heating problems, and although it was still running hot it performed consistently. At the start of the race two bikes came together and forced a few riders out wide and I was able to dive through the gap. For the rest of the race the other bikes passed me down the straight but I was able to re-pass them through the corners at the back of the circuit. I thought Haga was going to pass me at the end but I was a lot quicker than he was through Hayshed and I tried to hold him up there and create as much of a gap as possible before the final section. We also both made the gearing longer for the second race to maximise the tow down the straight and, although it made us slower coming out of Siberia, it was better everywhere else."
Chris said: "I got a really good start again but I was one of the riders who were pushed out wide at the second corner. After a couple of laps I ran wide at Honda and lost my tow so, after that I just had to get my head down and lap as quickly as I could and I did manage to set my fastest lap of the weekend of 1:35.5. I tried a harder compound of Pirelli front tyre for the second race, which was awesome, although I was struggling for grip a little at the rear. I was hoping for a bit better results but it was another good solid ride and I was happy to score more points for PETRONAS before the engine developments come later in the season."
Race two result: World Superbike championship, Phillip Island, Australia:
1 McCoy; 2 Vermeulen 4.951; 3 Chili 6.439; 4 Borciani 8.829; 5 Corser (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 11.824; 6 Haga 12.223; 7 Sanchini 19.236; 8 Walker (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 19.323; 9 Clementi 19.478; 10 Haslam 35.352; 11 Bontempi 35.709; 12 Nanelli 36.279; 13 Velini 1:10.304; 14 Nowland 1:10.545
Race one result:
1 Laconi (Ducati Fila); 2 Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda) 7.145; 3 Toseland (Ducati Fila) 7.536; 4 Martin (DFX) 7.617; 5 McCoy (Xerox Ducati) 7.808; 6 Sanchini (Kawasaki Bertocchi) 27.838; 7 Borciani (DFX) 27.924; 8 Haga (Renegade Ducati) 28.240; 9 Chili (PSG-1) 36.040; 10 Walker (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 36.147; 11 Clementi (Kawasaki Bertocchi) 36.263; 12 Nanelli (Team Pedercini) 1:02.542; 13 Corser (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:09.110; 14 Velini (UnionBike) 1:23.898; 15 Nowland (Zongshen) one lap Rider standings: 1 Toseland 61; 2 Chili 56; 3 McCoy 55; 4 Vermeulen 55; 5 Haga 43; 6 Borciani 43; 7 Walker 39; 8 Martin 29; 9 Sanchini 27; 10 Laconi 25; 11 Haslam 24; 12 Corser 19. Manufacturers: 1 Ducati 100; 2 Honda 55; 3 PETRONAS 42; 4 Kawasaki 27; 5 Suzuki 18; 6 Yamaha 13.
Foggy Petronas Racing Team
Posted at 09:27 am by tan
After an impressive drive, Team Proton PERT Malaysia drivers Karamjit Singh and Allen Oh have ended their first event in the Mexican mountains in an impressive fourth position in the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship. Proving to be a survival of the fittest, Corona Rally Mexico claimed many victims but the Malaysian duo drove hard to bring their Go K.L/Malaysia Tourism and Petronas sponsored Gp N Proton PERT to the finish to secure five valuable world championship points.
Today’s final leg drew to a close Rally Mexico’s first outing as a World Rally Championship event. Drivers contested five final demanding stages and 132.06km of competition to finish what has proved to be an arduous and extremely challenging event. As testimony to this, only 26 of an original 54 starters made it to the finish ramp. Making his debut in Mexico, unlike some of his rivals in the Production Car Championship, Karam made a solid start on the opening leg of the event on Friday (March 12) securing sixth position overnight despite a spin on SS1. Others were not so lucky, rival Mark Higgins’ Rally Mexico was over almost as soon as it begun as he retired 4kms into SS1 and Alister McRae and Manfried Stohl suffered a puncture and broken engine respectively.
Leg 2 proved to be a test of nerve and attrition as both McRae and Stohl retired early on, elevating Karam to fifth place. Keeping his focus and determination Karam was quick to capitalise on the situation by setting a blistering third fastest stage time on SS6, the downhill Derramadero – Chichimequillas stage. Stage conditions deteriorated rapidly during the second loop of three stages in the afternoon but Karam powered through them, setting an impressive third and fourth fastest stage time on SS9 and SS10 respectively, to move him into fourth position for the start of today’s final leg. With only five final stages standing between them and a valuable points winning finish on their first Corona Rally Mexico, Karam and Allen were determined to push as hard as possible today whilst endeavouring to ensure their Mellors Elliot Motorsport prepared Gp Proton PERT made it to the finish in one piece. A spin on SS11 did little to knock the Malaysian duo’s confidence as they continued to push as hard as possible throughout SS12 and SS13, setting third and fourth fastest stage times. Leaving service with only two stages left to run and over a minute gap to Niall McShea in third, a sensible run was called for to make it to the finish ramp. Safely through SS14, Karam ended the event on a high with second fastest stage time on the concluding SS15 to finish his first event in the Mexican mountains in a well deserved fourth position and securing five world championship points.
Karam comments: “We pushed hard from the very start today and had a spin on stage eleven which cost us about twenty seconds. We had a clear run through the following two stages but the sensible option was to go for five championship points and not risk any heroics. We continued to attack as much as possible throughout the day as it was so important for us to secure a good finish and gets some points before going to New Zealand. “On the final two stages we had a sensible steady run and we’re happy to take fourth place and five championship points on our first Rally Mexico. It’s been a really tough rally, very hard on the car and very difficult to drive, just look at how many competitors have been off the road here! Preparations are now underway for Rally New Zealand - it’s an event I know well and hopefully we’ll be able to go one better there and secure a podium result.”
Team Proton PERT Malaysia’s next event will be the Propecia Rally New Zealand, which takes place on 16 -18 April, and it is an event that Karam has contested twice before, in 2002 and 2003. With only two competitors scoring points on both of the opening two rounds, excitement now builds as we head to the Southern Hemisphere for round three of the 2004 FIA Production Car Championship.
Team Proton PERT Malaysia
Rally Mexico:
Position Driver Time Points
1 Daniel SOLA (E) 4:26:44.9 10 2 Toshihiro ARAI (J) 4:28:51.2 8 3 Niall MCSHEA (GB) 4:29:21.8 6 4 Karamjit SINGH (MAL) 4:30:51.7 5 5 Xevi PONS (E) 4:32.30.4 4 6 Fumio NUTAHARA (J) 4:34.06.1 3 7 Ricardo TRIVINO (MEX) 4:41:13.6 2 8 Joakim ROMAN (S) 4:48:01.1 1
Karamjit Singh with young fan
Posted at 09:24 am by tan
Proton Impian 2004 BTCC Race Car Specifications
General: Four-door saloon, front-wheel drive, 4-cylinder 2-litre engine Front suspension McPherson strut, rear suspension multi-link Technical Details: Engine 4-cylinder in line, transverse installation 1996cc capacity (derived from 1.8 litre production engine) 16 valves, dual overhead camshafts with rockers Exhaust: 4-2-1 manifold, muffler by BTB Exhausts Engines prepared by Mountune Oil cooling Oil to air heat exchanger Lubrication Wet sump PETRONAS Syntium fully synthetic lubricant Driveline Carbon clutch supplied by AP Racing Transverse mounted 6-speed transmission supplied by Xtrac * Straight cut * Sequential actuation * Choice of ratios * Mechanical plate differential Front wheel drive Body Steel construction Four-door Computer optimised roll cage for high torsional rigidity - In-house designed and manufactured 60 litre fuel tank Dimensions Overall length: 4473 mm Width: 1821 mm Height: 1356.5 mm Wheelbase: 2600 mm Track: Front: 1576 mm Rear: 1576 mm Electrical EFi Engine Control Unit Pi Research Logger and Dash Unit Safety Recaro Carbon/Kevlar seat Sparco 6-point harness Plumbed in 5kg SPA foam fire extinguisher Front Suspension Racing design McPherson struts with lightweight lower wishbones and anti-roll bar. Penske damper units and Eibach coil springs. Rear Suspension Lightweight multilink system with anti roll bar and coil springs. Penske damper units and Eibach springs Steering Power assisted, high ratio rack and pinion - modified road car item Wheels 17" x 9" Dynamics Brakes Hydraulically assisted dual circuit system by AP Racing Front: Single 6 piston calipers with 343mm diameter x 32mm thick ventilated discs Rear: Single dual piston calipers with 290mm diameter x 9.5mm solid discs Vehicle Weight 1150kg including driver
Proton Impian BTCC Race Car
Proton Impian BTCC Race Car
Posted at 09:20 am by tan
Malaysia’s first driver in the British Touring Car Championship, Fariqe Hairuman, got a first-hand feel of his 2004 BTCC challenger when he performed a shakedown test of the new Proton Impian at Sepang International Circuit today. Retrofitted and built entirely at the PETRONAS Motorsports Technical Centre in Bangi, the new BTCC challenger took a total of two weeks to construct and the successful shakedown test today is testament to the centre’s aim of becoming the hub of motorsports excellence in the region.
Speaking during the test today, Fariqe expressed his pride over the new challenger. He said, "I am quite happy with today’s shakedown session. Not only because it showed real promise, but also the fact that it was constructed entirely in Malaysia. Thanks to PETRONAS and Team PSP, Malaysia will now have a representative in both men and machine in this year’s BTCC. This is a big step forward for me and I look forward to pitting myself against the established names in this fantastic series. Also, I hope to get support from everybody in Malaysia in my debut year.”
The team also took the opportunity in today’s shakedown session to announce the signing of Shaun-Watson Smith as Fariqe’s new team-mate. The 32-year old South African, who used to race for Team PETRONAS in the South African Touring Car Championship (SATCC), is a formidable name in saloon car racing and is expected to provide the youngster with the vital support he needs. For Team PSP, Fariqe’s entry into the highly competitive British Touring Car Championship is a culmination of 13 years worth of passion and experience.
Team Principal David Wong said, "We at Team PSP look forward to having the first Malaysian driver to participate in BTCC. Fariqe has proven to be a fast and very promising driver in touring car competition in this region. This is a great opportunity for him and a matter of great pride for all Malaysian motorsports enthusiasts."
The Johorean has so far chalked up winning and strong podium performances in New Zealand Saloon Cars, Asian Touring Cars and Malaysian Super Saloons. Possessing the right skills and youthful exuberance, a step into the immensely competitive British Touring Car Championship would rightly promote the creation of another local world champion. To help prepare him for the extreme challenges ahead, Fariqe underwent a circuit acclimatisation program last October running at selected BTCC venues. The 2004 British Touring Car Championship will commence on 10 & 11 April at Thruxton, UK.
Fariqe Hairuman
Posted at 09:18 am by tan
Friday, April 09, 2004
JORDAN-Introduction of Fairuz Fauzy
Eddie Jordan is pleased to announce his endorsement of the racing career of Fairuz Fauzy, the 21 year old British Formula 3 driver from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Chief Executive of Jordan Grand Prix, Eddie Jordan said: “I want to encourage Fairuz in his racing career as he’s a promising young driver. He’s had some good years of karting at home in Malaysia and recently made the move to the UK to do British Formula 3 which is big step. I wish him all the very best and am confident that Jordan will find opportunities to bring him on in the future.”
Fairuz Fauzy said: "I am obviously very excited about the prospect of working with Jordan Grand Prix. Their endorsement of me gives me the confidence and motivation to work hard and drive well in this years British Formula 3 Championship. It is good for Malaysia to have a driver involved in a Formula 1 programme and also good for Jordan to have an involvement with a Malaysian driver. I look forward to developing my relationship with the team."
Fairuz Fauzy was born on 24 October 1982 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and currently lives vin Northampton, United Kingdom. He began karting in 1990 and with several Asian Kart Prix Championships to his name, he moved to Britain in 2001 to compete in British Formula Renault and then British Formula 3 for the last two year
Fairuz Fauzy,F3
Posted at 01:36 am by tan
Support Malaysian Motorsports
this blog is dedicated to all malaysian driver,malaysian racing team and to all malaysian motorsport supporter...
peace no war...
may god bless u`ll
malaysia boleh
Posted at 01:34 am by tan
Team PSP : New season beckons for Team PSP
Malaysian BTCC challenger Team PSP is in good shape and optimistic about strong performances in 2004, with its new car and two new drivers.
In recent testing, the team has recorded some quick times and feels the car is responding well to driver and engineer inputs. The season opener at Thruxton, which is fast with sweeping bends, should be a good indicator of the potential of all the players in BTCC.
Fariqe Hairuman said: “I am looking forward to my first race with Team PSP. This is a big weekend for me and I’m determined not to let anyone down, especially all those at PETRONAS who have given me this great opportunity.”
Shaun Watson-Smith said: “We’ve had some encouraging tests just recently but I’m not going to make any wild claims ahead of my first race in the UK. I’m just thrilled to be here and competing with the big boys in touring cars.”
Mike Carroll, Technical Director, said: “We’ve put in some good work in the southern hemisphere over the UK winter, and learned a lot more in the last few weeks. I think we’ve made some good progress since last year.”
David Wong, Team Principal, said: “This is another important year for us with big changes to the series and to our team. I know there will be huge interest in Malaysia and in South Africa in Fariqe and Shaun’s progress, adding to the global fan base for the BTCC.”
The first three races of the season are at Thruxton on Sunday 11 April.
Posted at 01:32 am by tan
Thursday, April 01, 2004
Fairuz catat masa terpantas
BAKAL pelumba Formula Satu negara, Fairuz Fauzy sekali lagi mencatat ujian masa terpantas di Brands Hatch, United Kingdom, semalam pada ujian akhir menjelang perlumbaan sulung Formula 3000 (F3) British bersama pasukan Menu F3 Motorsport, hujung minggu ini.
Menurut kenyataan yang dikeluarkan di Kuala Lumpur, Fairuz mencatat mata 41.95 saat, hanya ketinggalan 0.018 saat di belakang rakan sepasukan Parente.
Menurut Fairuz, catatan terpantas itu penting untuk memberi keyakinan kepadanya.
``Saya gembira dengan catatan tersebut memandangkan saya perlu menyakinkan penaja, lagipun tahun ini cukup penting kerana saya berlumba dalam kelas senior.
``Ia menuntut saya bekerja lebih keras di samping menghasilkan keputusan memuaskan,'' katanya.
Fairuz sebelum ini mencatatkan ujian masa terbaik buat kali kedua semasa pusingan ujian rasmi Persatuan Formula 3 (FOTA) di Litar Oulton Park, England.
Fairuz yang menamatkan masa terbaik untuk tempat teratas di Snetterton sebelum itu sekali lagi berjaya melakukan pusingan terbaik 1:28.130 saat untuk memecahkan rekod lamanya 1:28.680s kurang 55 saat.
Perlumbaan Kejuaraan Formula 3 British yang akan bermula hujung minggu ini merupakan antara batu loncatan paling getir untuk melangkah ke arena perlumbaan Formula Satu - itu pun jika pemandu Formula 3 itu berjaya dalam kategori masing-masing dan kehebatan mereka dikenal pasti oleh pemerhati pasukan Formula Satu.
Sementara itu, bos pasukan Menu F3 Motorsport, Mike Baker berpuas hati dengan pencapai tersebut dan yakin Fairuz akan menguatkan cabaran pasukannya dalam perlumbaan musim 2004
Posted at 04:50 pm by maxx
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