Post by dcruz on May 27, 2006 0:48:52 GMT 7
After three rounds of close battles under chilling conditions in the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan’s most popular racing series – the Super GT Series now travels south to the tropical sun of Malaysia for its annual Battle of Sepang from 23rd to 25th June.
It’s Round 4 of the nine-round 2006 Super GT Series and the fourth edition of the Japan GT Championship Malaysia where motorsport fans in the region will be treated to an action-packed weekend of four-wheel racing from 23rd to 25th May.
While the soup up sports cars and perky skimpy-dressed Japanese GT Queens are the main attraction of the event, supporting races that will include actions from the newly-introduced Formula V6 Asia, Formula Renault, The Gates Hong Kong Classic Car Series and the supercar, supersixteen, supersaloon, supercompact and the new Integra Cup Malaysia under Malaysian Super Series championships will be as thrilling.
“The Super GT series this year look set to be the most exciting ever. Competition between the top teams is very close. And, the race in Sepang had always been full of suspense and thrills,” says Datuk Ahmad Mustafa, who is Sepang International Circuit General Manager and event director for the 2006 Japan GT Championship Malaysia.
Three rounds of competition – beginning with the opening round in Suzuka, Okayama and Fuji Speedway – had produced three different winners for both the premier GT500 class for the 500bhp machines and the GT300 class for the 300bhp machines. Seasoned campaigners Ryo Michigami and Takashi Togure, boosted by their win at Okayama in Round 2, is currently leading the GT500 category with 38 points.
Winner of the opening round in Suzuka – the partnership of Juichi Wakisaka and Germany’s Andre Lotterer is second with 28 points. The most recent round at Fuji Speedway on May 4 was won by Naoki Hattori and his British partner Peter Dumbreck in their Toyota Lexus SC430; lifting them to sixth in the overall standings after two pointless rounds with 23 points. The GT300 class is currently led by the partnership of Shogo Mitsuyama and Nobuteru Tanigiguchi; driving a Vemac 320R, with 29 points with Hideshi Matsuda and Ichijo Suga in close second with 28 points.
A point further behind in third place is the partnership of Italy’s Marco Apichella and Yasutaka Hinoi in a Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT with 27 points.
Showcasing fully modified renowned sports cars from Japan and abroad including fully customized race models such as the Lexus, Supras, Celicas, Nisssan Fairlady, Honda NSX, Ferrari, Mazda RX-7, Porsche, Mosler, Vemac and Lamborghini Murcielago, the series is currently the most popular racing series in Japan; drawing an average of 50,000 spectators at every round.
Adding colour and excitement to the event will be the GT Queens, where more 100 umbrella girls representing the respective teams and sponsors will be specially flown to Malaysia for the Round 4 encounter in Sepang from 23rd to 25th June.
With the Malaysian round incorporated as one of the championship rounds; offering priceless championship points for the teams and drivers, the event drew full participation from the competing teams and their sponsors.
In promoting the event, Ahmad said, Sepang International Circuit and the Japan GT Association would be organizing roadshows and nationwide promotional activities especially around the Klang Valley to woo in spectators for the event.
“We had more than 43,000 spectators last year and we are looking an equally strong attendance for the 2006 event next month,” he said, adding that SIC had roped in the support of top entertainment clubs in Klang Valley to promote the event.
Tickets for the event are priced at RM160 for entry at the Main Grandstand with an offer of purchasing the pit walkabout passes at RM110 each. Tickets at the K1 Grandstand are priced at RM110 while the Hillstand seats at K2 and the covered C2 are sold at RM40.
For students, SIC is also offering a 50 percent discount for tickets at the Main Grandstand; giving them a price of RM80. A special family package of four tickets for two adults and two children above 12 years old is also being offered at RM400 for entry at the Main Grandstand.
Children below 12 are allowed free entry to catch the event live at the circuit.
Fans are also encouraged to make use of the camping facilities at the circuit where SIC is only charging RM50 per person for the entire three-day stay to enjoy the event.