The Sepang 1000KM (S1K) endurance race is not for the faint hearted, and only the best of the best could cross the finish line what more, with a respectable position!. Fuelled by their signature “Challenging Spirit”, the Honda Malaysia Racing Team (HMRT) basked in glory once again, as after hours of fierce battle on the circuit, they emerged as champions of the 2013 S1K race.
Making their debut in 2012, HMRT had to go through big guns like the experienced Proton R3 team as well as the Type-R Racing Team. Fielding a fleet of two cars for the race, the Honda Jazz #26 driven by Mohd Farriz Fauzy and Tengku Ezan Ley, who clocked the fastest laptime during qualifying, unfortunately suffered a punctured tire during the first lap, costing them dearly in position. However, the duo did not give up easily and drove the car to the finish line in 9th place with 167 laps completed.
“It was unfortunate for the car to suffer the puncture but in the end the team managed to get the car running and finish the race and that symbolizes what the challenging spirit means to us”, said Tengku Ezan after the race.
But the one basking in the limelight has got to be Honda Jazz #27 with Aaron Lim and Eddie Lew behind the wheel. Starting the race in second position on the grid, they traded positions with other competitors countless times throughout the race. Proving to be the more superior force in the race, they overcame the odds and emerged victorious in the 181-lap endurance race.
“Congratulations to the HMRT members who have worked hard and demonstrated Honda’s challenging spirit. Racing and motorsports are deeply rooted in Honda’s DNA. It is Honda’s Reason to Exist. In the past one year, I have seen the determination in our associates to ensure that Honda’s flag was raised high during the race. I am proud to say that they have not let Honda down”, said Mr. Yoichiro Ueno, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia who is also the HMRT Team Principal.
The HMRT is a fully Malaysian team, where all the 33 members are local associates who worked to make the project happen in their after-work hours. This is a great achievement for HMRT as their ultimate objective is to train and build up skills and local talents, and the motorsports arena has provided the perfect platform for them to put themselves to the test.
