Honda Malaysia is once again challenging itself in the grueling 12-hour MME race this year. The company recently introduced it’s all Malaysian, 26-member Honda Malaysia Racing Team (HMRT) and the Civic Type-R Race Car #27 at a shakedown at Sepang International Circuit.
With the motto “Rising To The Challenge”, HMRT members and three drivers are all set to meet their objective of capturing the Class A Championship this year and of course to ultimately push for the overall title.
This year’s HMRT consists of three returning drivers; Eddy Lew, Aaron Lim and Rueben Wong, each with plenty of race experience in different racing environments. Of the 26 members, 11 are new to the team whereas 14 HMRT members are retained from last year for the purpose of knowledge sharing and providing guidance.
Members of the HMRT team include associates of Honda Malacca from its Malacca plant and its Sales and Marketing branch from its office in Petaling Jaya. The team, though inexperienced in the world of competitive racing, is highly motivated and this helps build team spirit and motivation. It also helps uphold Honda’s strong racing legacy in the Malaysian motorsports industry.
During the shakedown, HMRT members honed their skills battling time with pit stop simulations and the drivers practised their standing start and putting in fast lap times to tune the car to such a level where all three drivers will be able to maximise its potential.
2009 will be the 7th year that Honda has participated in the MME and the team has obviously progressed a lot since its first days. In the first year of participation, HMRT was fully dependent on the guidance and supervision of MUGEN from Japan. Gradually, as the team gained more exposure, confidence and skills, they also became more independent. Last year the team was 100% independent in the building of the race car which was a giant leap of achievement compared to the first year.
During it’s MUGEN days, HMRT was the overall Class “A” Champions in the MME race for five consecutive years between 2003 and 2007. Last year, the two HMRT Type-R’s finished the race 6th and 10th respectively. Though there was a minor setback, the fact that HMRT is fully independent is commendable already.
Despite the challenges, Honda continues to participate in MME as Honda believes that it is through participation and pushing oneself to the limits in motorsports that superior engineers are developed – which then translates into the building of advanced cars of the highest quality. We at Zerotohundred would like to wish the Honda Malaysia Racing Team the best of luck in the MME 2009.
. By the way anyone who don't know me, I'm studying in The Otomotif College (TOC) for Dip. in Motorsports Technology. I'm always kindda curious about engines and stuffs. 
.