Singaporeans at MME

Today, some of our top racers are currently fighting with the best drivers from the region for top honours in the Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race at Sepang F1 circuit. Among them is Kevin Kwee – a well known businessman who was featured in Life on 23^rd Aug 2008.

This is THE best known endurance race in South East Asia, easily attracting more than 100 entries each year. Under the regulations and for safety reason, only the top 77 cars (comprising the fastest qualifiers in respective categories) will start the race. Hence, Kevin seemed rather pleased yesterday when he called to inform me that his car has qualified mid-field and 5^th fastest in class. And, he has good reasons to feel excited too. After all, his team has spent months (and monies) preparing for the race and unconsciously, their expectations have naturally inched upwards. I had the same feelings when I took part in 2003 and, in particular 2005 when my team and I ran an unforgettable race. We were then the founding members of the newly launched Team Singapore, Motorsports. Here’s an extract from my e-mail dated 30^th Aug 2005 which I sent to close friends and families after that event:

“Our team, Team Stamford Continental was one of Singaporean teams at last weekend’s 12-hour endurance race held at Sepang.

Qualifying 11^th out of 77 cars on the grid, we progressively worked our way to the front of the charging pack. We built on our strengths, using a combination of cautious driving antics and professionally executed pit-stop maneuvers.

By early afternoon, we had already secured 4^th position on the field and our car was performing flawlessly. On the 9^th hour, we looked set to be on our way to a promising podium finish.

To our dismay and disbelieve, our machine suddenly came to an abrupt halt at 8:22pm after having completed a total of 187 laps. While it lasted, we withstood the onslaught of extremely powerful big-budget race teams and their specially prepared race machines like Porsche GT3s and Lotus works cars. Everyone in the team can lay claim that we did a great job!

This cannot be said for the other Singaporean teams.

During the course of the race, a dispute had broken out at the paddock between teams involving other Singaporeans. The resulting brawl and ungentlemanly behaviour were brought to the attention of track officials who immediately called the police.

The incident was reported on the front page of TODAY

…….and SHIN MING DAILY.

It may have led to some of you worrying about my safety. The truth is - we had a great race!”

Among this year’s notable entries from Singapore is Jansen Tan, our undisputed drift king.

Like Kevin, he is participating in such event for the first time. (Read Kevin’s progress at http://www.choonsracing.blogspot.com/)

Those gunning for top places include fast-charging Melvin Choo, Desmond Soh and, of course, Denis Lian. Yesterday’s front runner, Mok and his gang, is ably supported by Andy Tan from Espace Service Centre – one of the best race car tuners from the Republic. Here’s a note to all countrymen flying our flag in Sepang this weekend: “Stand up for Singapore, do the best you can AND have a safe race!”