The Team, The Win, The Car – Dreamchaser S1K 2015 – Zerotohundred

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THE WIN

What can I say, the taste of winning a grueling endurance race through the blazing afternoon heat and the blinding darkness of night is just as sweet as portrayed in the glamorous world of racing. Right from the imminent trajectory towards victory, the intense 10 remaining laps of suspense up till just before taking the checkered flag.

This sensation is truly unreal, even after knowing you’ve won, after exiting the car, getting showered with loud cheers, bear hugs and kisses. Even after close to a week’s past, this sweet aftertaste still linger. A life long memory to be savored by Team drivers CY Ong, Charles Jean Dahout and me. Ironically the first ever gold in a major event for the 3 of us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”85915″ css=”.vc_custom_1449667008467{padding-top: 200px !important;padding-bottom: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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THE CAR

Owned by Team Dreamchaser, our car #100 is a Malaysian Touring Car (MTC) specced Proton Satria Neo contending in the MCS, Malaysian Championship Series 2015. The engineering aspect of this car was also exclusively commissioned to non other than Rueben Wong, owner of of Tedco Racing, who are currently the leading private entity in Malaysian touring car racing, with countless race wins in recent years under the skillful hands of resident drivers Mark Darwin and Fitra Eri. In short, we owe the unbeatable reliability and performance of our car and brilliant chassis setup to Tedco Racing.

Photo by: Jay Choong

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THE TEAM: DREAMCHASER SEPANG 1000KM 2015

I proudly present, the all-important individuals of Team Dreamchaser, It’s what I would call the dream team at last weekend’s Sepang 1000KM race, without which, wouldn’t have made our victory at all possible.

Team Owner
CY Ong

Drivers
Driver 1: Tom Goh
Driver 2: Jean Charles Dahout
Driver 3: CY Ong

Race Management
Angeline Lee
Desmond Khoo
Pang Cheok Fun

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Pit Crew and Engineers

ST Wangan Sunway
Kenneth and crew
Alex Wong Hau Rean

Race Engineering
Tedco Racing
Rueben Wong
Ben Mah

Photo by: JasonW for Buggershots – Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race 2015 – Link

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MY POINTS OF VIEW

When CY of Dreamchaser handed me an offer for a slot in his Satria Neo for Sepang 1000KM endurance race a month ago, I wasted no time to commit and sign the dotted line. I had utmost confidence in each and every race car managed by Dreamchaser that are all prepped by Tedco Racing. The only goal I had in mind was to do my best and to enjoy the 8hr race. But after taking the car out for a couple of initial test laps, I knew this car had potential and plenty of it.

Drive wise, I am very honoured to be tasked with being first driver and given opportunity to take the night stint to finish the race. Starting the race at 12pm, right at the peak of the afternoon is one to be attempted with a pure mind. At track temperatures exceeding 40 degrees C, this heat is amplified within the confines of the cockpit of a race car. It is no different than that of an oven, largely contributed from the immense heat from the engine transmitted through the car’s firewall.

Photo by: Asteri Video Production

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”85952″ css=”.vc_custom_1449692283561{padding-top: 200px !important;padding-bottom: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1449664874185{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;background-image: url(http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/s1ktomcycharlessatrianeobg2.jpg?id=85892) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]The S1K week was an unforgettable one. Our strategy for the 181 lap, 8hr race was simple but strategic. Each of the 3 drivers were required to complete our max of 75mins drive time while applying self induced RPM cap during race to conserve engine performance. Pit strategy wise, we made sure we had lots of pre-race pit stop practice to ensure zero mistakes. Basically, our motto for the S1K race was to keep everything clean and running like clockwork.

Paid off it certainly has and Champions we are now. What’s more, to finish first in the first-ever independent cup with a bonus 4th overall placing against factory teams such as the seemingly untouchable Proton R3 to me is a remarkable feat. I’ll never forget the way our Team name was steadily climbing the charts throughout race day, how we had countless almost-perfect pit stops and amazingly consistent lap times from my fellow teammates and I.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”85939″ css=”.vc_custom_1449689686443{padding-top: 200px !important;padding-bottom: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1449664874185{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;background-image: url(http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/s1ktomcycharlessatrianeobg2.jpg?id=85892) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Of course, a huge part of this clockwork precision owes to the brilliant team of team managers Angeline Lee, Desmond Khoo and Cheok Fun where their covert operation contributed greatly in our ever evolving team strategies. Requiring up-to-the-second calculations and periodic field reconnaissance to stay ahead of the competition.

Pit crew and engineers were equally invaluable in our victory as well. Left in the good hands of Kenneth’s team of talented technicians from ST Wangan, had disseminated crucial roles throughout their skilled technicians where each and every aspect was expertly executed. A team of talents that were nothing short of perfect I must say.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”85914″ css=”.vc_custom_1449666832943{padding-top: 200px !important;padding-bottom: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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TEAMMATE JEAN-CHARLES DAHOUT

I have to admit, Jean has been the unsung hero that had inspired Team Dreamchaser and likely many other competitors on the field that S1K race weekend. Firstly, Jean is 57 years old. He’s entered touring car racing at the age of 55, just 2 years ago with TOC (The Otomotif College Malaysia) at various MTC races in MCS and twice at S1K races. I remember hearing Fitra Eri of Sakura Tedco Racing saying, “If any of us feel like giving up in any of the grueling afternoon stints at S1K, all we had to do was think of Jean. If he can do it we sure as hell must, or face life embarrassment.”

Although Jean has but the tip of the iceberg in touring car racing, he in fact posses vast depth of experience in Karting. Dating way back into the 80’s when Jean first started, he has fought and won countless karting battles in Europe in his prime days.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”85929″ css=”.vc_custom_1449685427594{padding-top: 200px !important;padding-bottom: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1449664874185{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;background-image: url(http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/s1ktomcycharlessatrianeobg2.jpg?id=85892) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Jean admits he’s never driven a car this well prepped and faced many obstacles with the cars he’s driven in the past. His confidence clearly shows throughout the S1K weekend. His lap times were incredibly consistent and for a senior, we were all in awe at his performance and perseverance on race day. Like a Duracell Rabbit, he charged through each and every lap with virtually no hints of fatigue.

But it is not up till the end of the race when we realise we’ve secured victory that Jean finally let his hair down and revealed the child in him. He was forced to retire early from 2 previous attempts at S1K due to technical difficulties, so this win was a highly emotional one. I’ve never seen Jean this ecstatic, or in fact anyone this over the moon with joy. His ear-to-ear grin and face filled with content was the most obvious of us all. After all, it was our first gold placing at Sepang and there’s no denying Jean has helped us help him secure this emotional victory. I am extremely thankful to be acquainted with Jean at the S1K.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”85919″ css=”.vc_custom_1449679291654{padding-top: 200px !important;padding-bottom: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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TEAMMATE CY ONG AND TEAM DREAMCHASER

Team Dreamchaser was formed by Mr CY Ong since March 2014. As a race driver himself, CY has competed in various major Touring Car races at Sepang since 2006. Ever since then, his love for competitive racing only grew stronger. Enduring the ups and downs of racing was nothing new for CY. What he was more concerned of was the absence of support for budding race drivers in Malaysian motorsports.

CY then made it a life long mission to own his very own race team in a bid to compete and contribute to the motorsport industry in Malaysia. Since his return to Malaysia after a 3 year job posting in Taipei, Taiwan, CY then regrouped with his racing peers, formed an alliance with like-minded race teams and proceed to develop a strategic programme to realize his dream. Team Dreamchaser was formed.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”85922″ css=”.vc_custom_1449679969825{padding-top: 200px !important;padding-bottom: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1449664874185{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;background-image: url(http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/s1ktomcycharlessatrianeobg2.jpg?id=85892) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Team Dreamchaser isn’t just going to be any race team. In fact, to successfully improve the current local motorsports scene, change needs to start from the inside. So with his heavy involvement in the race series organized by Sepang Circuit, the competing race teams and drivers, CY, together with founding committee Ken Yap patiently penetrated the Sepang Circuit organization to erect what is now called the Malaysian Driver’s Association.

With the sole purpose of elevating the standards of Touring Car racing in Malaysia, CY’s first mission was to find ways around the untouchable, well funded pro factory teams that were dominating the series. As the series progressed, polarization between Top Guns and privateers in racing grew even further. This simple plight discouraged current and new players from competing. Demotivated teams were starting to back out from the series altogether.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”85931″ css=”.vc_custom_1449686156190{padding-top: 200px !important;padding-bottom: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1449664874185{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;background-image: url(http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/s1ktomcycharlessatrianeobg2.jpg?id=85892) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]While it is completely legal, in fact encouraged for teams to pursue the limits of performance through any available means, CY’s determination to introduce fairness into the touring car series wasn’t about slowing the factory teams down or to demand equality. His ultimate mission was more about creating a conducive playing field for all competitors. This meant introducing at the very least a 2-tier classification system that will reward both the factory teams and the privateers.

After close to a year’s effort and multiple propositions, CY finally succeeded. For the first time in history, Sepang now officially endorses the Independent Cup. What’s more, it was via the prestigious 8hr, 181 lap Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race. The biggest, 1.6L Touring Car only endurance race in Malaysia. Ensuring harmony in existing classification system, the only changes introduced were specifically targeted at the privateers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”85933″ css=”.vc_custom_1449687440885{padding-top: 200px !important;padding-bottom: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1449664874185{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;background-image: url(http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/s1ktomcycharlessatrianeobg2.jpg?id=85892) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Independent Cup recognized privateers by limiting tyre usage to a max of 4 sets from qualifying right up to the end of the race, naturally capping driving performance within the privateer class. Privateer teams are also prohibited from representing corporate entities through team names, instead only driver’s names were allowed to be published during the race.

As if this huge milestone achieved wasn’t enough, CY, together with Driver #2 Jean Charles Dahout and yours truly, drove Team Dreamchaser to secure victory within the Independent Cup at last weekend’s Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race, with an additional title for Overall 4th placing within the entire field comprising factory backed teams! As a driver for Team Dreamchaser, I for one am beyond ecstatic to share this victory with CY.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”85935″ css=”.vc_custom_1449687917266{padding-top: 200px !important;padding-bottom: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1449664874185{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;background-image: url(http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/s1ktomcycharlessatrianeobg2.jpg?id=85892) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Now, the future for Malaysian touring car racing shines bright, with ever more potential for privateer teams to prove their worth. In addition to that, Dreamchaser and Malaysian Driver’s Association will continue to strive to create fertile grounds for homegrown racing. CY also has plans to expand his team to accommodate training programs for budding racers. So stay tuned, or feel free to contact CY Ong for opportunities at [email protected]

Last but not least, this entire post was processed and published via my new and very awesome JOI Flip 10, a full windows 10 detachable tablet PC. A Microsoft Surface-like device that each of us 3 driver have proudly won at the S1K race.
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