9th in Touring Production class
19th out of 36 Overall
Eager to represent Singapore Motorsports and take on Sepang International Circuit, to test new found race abilities, it was most unfortunate that the weekend ended on an unexpected note. Always seeing the positives, I drove away to a new experience. Not only physically and mentally, but mechanically confronted.
Round three of the Malaysian Super Series (MSS) began a month before, with testing in the single seater Formula Renault in Zhuhai, as well as track time a few days prior at the ‘shred your tyres’ Pasir Gudang (PG). My time in the Formula Renault was meant to train my skillset of speed going into the corners. With no time to hit Sepang on the MSS paid practice sessions, I made my way to PG to get back in the swing of things.
Driving up early on the day of the Qualifying, I felt the rush of enthusiasm to get back in the competitive edge of racing, knowing that my second ever race would be an hour long, with a 3 minute pitstop. Bar from the Malaysian Formula One, the usual format of the MSS is a choice of 1 or 2 drivers, either 1 driver going the whole way or a driver swap. The 60 degree heat on track would be a challenge, but I pride myself on pushing to the limits and nothing would stop me on my quest for mileage.
Practice started well and my car a Honda civic FD2, Mugen specification, felt great for the first 17 minutes. Then, a little yellow tap sensor appeared on the left of the dashboard. When I shifted into 3rd gear, it sounded like the engine was struggling and VTEC did not kick in. It took longer than usual to reach up to the 8,600 revs I needed to change into 4th. I immediately knew something was up, as 4th gear was just as painfully slow. I pitted half way through, restarted the engine , only for the sensor to reappear 2 laps in, before my car lost power into T8, having to roll to a stop on the grass.
Back in the garage I was sorely disappointed that I couldn’t get in the extra laps and my mechanics from R Engineering had 3 hours to run through the car in time for qualifying. The initial thought was an electrical problem, which could be from a number of reasons, but as surprisingly as it stopped, it restarted with no further issues.
Qualifying ended dramatically, but I knew before I went out that there would be a possibility it might happen again, so 2 laps out I clocked a 2min 41.35sec, barely breaking a sweat and this time my car gave no indication as it tragically died into T4. I thanked my lucky stars that I made P14 on the starting grid.Once again my team worked late into the night, pulling out the wiring, checking the ECU, fuses and fuel pump. They changed and tested what they could.
Race day started and I felt grateful that I could even drive that day. It was a test of my emotions and I kept in check, knowing that if anything happened, it was completely out of my hands, having learnt from my peers, that in those situations you have to let it go. The car felt great but in the 3rd lap, the sensor reappeared much to my chagrin. I had a great start overtaking on the rolling start just before T1. I refused to give in and knew that I had to fight to the end and finish the race, until the very moment my car gave in. I pitted early after Lap 7, not long after the 15minute board went up. I took my 3 minute pitstop early, drank up and moved out.
To think before the race that I was over thinking about the operation of the 3 minute pitstop and how the heat would effect my mental capability. When I rolled out, all that flew out the window and my concentration lay in the sensor, which reappeared first lap out. Nothing is more frustrating than a car crawling at Mr.Bean speed , watching 1.6L cars on par. I decided I wouldn’t let it get to me and I took the opportunity to get more in touch with my car and to adjust my braking points later in to the corner and give it my all.
I finished 9th in class and 19th overall, out of 36 cars. In the end 2 cars DNS and 7 DNF. My car held up the rest of the race and if you were there, probably would have wondered why I got out with a smile on my face. Racing is an experience, I might as well enjoy it along as I am still moving . Beetroot red, I finished my first 1 hour race.
My race weekend was not how I would have preferred , but it taught me a lot about myself, my car, the people around me and what it takes to be a race driver in every instance.
Big shoutouts to my Team Havelock Racing, Yuey Tan, Lai Wee Sing, R Engineering team, Dylan from Speed-D Motorsport, Will Bamber and Paul Abbott, who in my moment of fluster attached my Hans to my helmet, not forgetting Motorsport/automotive photo journalist Ian Mar for the great photos.
Thank you to my sponsors Exquisite Marques, EduTorque, Evo Singapore, Tin Tin Singapore and Livefitter.
(Click on the links above to know more about them)
