Choo Expects Great Competition in Sepang for Rounds 4 & 5

After a tough outing four weeks ago, Asian Touring Car Series driver, Melvin Choo was left wanting to forget the bad and looking forward to a second chance to make an impact when the series returns to the Malaysian circuit this weekend.

The Singaporean was faced with a tough fight in the opening rounds of the Series when he encountered problems with the engine of his BMW 320si before the qualifying session. The engine failure left him with no choice but to use a Honda Integra tuned to Division 1 specifications for the first two rounds.

A new engine only arrived for him on Friday evening, leaving his Thunder Asia Racing team crew to work throughout the night to fit the engine into the BMW. The team’s efforts were rewarded greatly when Choo, who started the round 3 race at the back of the 25 car grid, to come home third.

“After what happened at the last race, I have to keep my fingers crossed that nothing like that will happen again. It will be nice to just put those problems behind me and I just want to go out there this weekend and race”.

Choo is also looking forward to having more competition during the MSS weekend when Liqui Moly Team Engstler’s Seiji Shiobuchi, makes his first appearance in the series, after missing out during the AFOS weekend. “It is wonderful to have three BMWs racing this weekend, it’s good for the Series and although I will have one more car to contend with I am looking forward to the competition.

“To me, I regard Jack very highly as a rising touring car star and I hope to be able to put some pressure on him. As for Seiji, we have not raced against him and he could be a ‘Wild Card’ that could blow us all away. Either one of the three BMWs can get to the top step but I am optimistic of my chances” said Choo in closing.