After much anticipation for the race to start, Clearwater Racing (SGP) took home the trophy after a gruelling 12 hours at the Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race 2013 (MMER).
Starting at midnight on Saturday, the drivers raced throughout the night , pitting to change between 3 drivers, change tires and refuel, till Sunday noon.Sitting in as a guest of Clearwater Racing, it was clear to see, these guys meant business after the last few years of DNF’s. Victory was sweet for the GT3 class winners, and an emotional ride for both the drivers and pit crew. Every second counted, as the team practiced the driver pitstops before the race, making sure coordination was tight and no one broke a rule, which could have lead to a penalty. Not today though.
Driving in the Ferrari 458 Italia GT3, W.S Mok, H. Hamaguchi and Craig Baird cruised through with consistency. An impressive first stint by Australian Craig Baird, who is recognised as the most successful Carrera Cup driver in the world, including 125 race wins and 10 championships, set the track for the next 11 hours. Qualifying fifth on the grid, the decorated Baird breezed on through, passing by the likes of Finnish ex-Formula One driver, Mika Salo in the AF Corse, Ferrari 458 GT3, who finished 3rd for the AF Corse Team.
Despite running a slight fever, Clearwater’s Hamaguchi, persevered through the heat and exhaustion, to widen the gap, leaving to Mok ,the chequered flag. Once again congratulations to the Clearwater Racing team and all other competitiors.
In the GT Cup category Tiger Absolute Racing, led by Malaysian former F1 driver Alex Yoong, won both races in the Audi R8 LMS Asia Series in the support race.
Highlights from the 12 hour Sepang race. For more photos visit here: https://www.facebook.com/ClaireJedrek
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- Driver change
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- Alex Yoong
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- 1.Mok Weng Sun/Hiroshi Hamaguchi/Craig Baird
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- Porsche
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- Night Grid
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- Safety car
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- AF Corse Mika Salo/Pasin Lathauras/Michele Rugolo
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- Alex Yoong/Ashraff Dewal/Jacky Yeung
Top 5 Finishers:
1.Mok Weng Sun/Hiroshi Hamaguchi/Craig Baird (Ferrari 458 Italia GT3) – 323 laps
2. Roger Lago/David Russell/Peter Kox (Lamborghini LP560-4)- 317 laps
3. Mika Salo/Pasin Lathauras/Michele Rugolo (Ferrari 458 Italia GT3)- 316 laps
4. Adrian D’Silva/Earl Bamber/Alif Hamdan (Ferrari 458 Italia GT3) – 316 laps
5. Darryl O’Young/Vuthikorn Intharaphuvasak/Siu Yuk Lung (Porsche GT3R) – 314 laps
CLAIRE JEDREK