Pictures: MMER 2011 Sepang - Race Start

[Tom]

It's now 5hrs into the race. The MME is South East Asia's biggest endurance race and today marks its 12th edition so far. This year is perhaps the best race ever as we see car entries from the likes of Mercedes SLS GT3, Audi LMS, Ferrari 458 GT3 and the list goes on. Check out the pics supplied by Andy Goh and stay tuned as he updates us with more from time to time.



Something to ease the tension



Last minute preps from Petronas Syntium Team before heading to the grid



Good omen and easy spotting for pit entry



Mom's packing water bottles for her school boys



Fariqe leads the SLS GT3 pack



Scirroco Cup cars are a formidable force







Mok Weng Sun's F458 GT3

 

[tkkhoo]

Tom: why there are no porche in mme this year?

 

[fahmic99le]

went there yesterday.. not so many people around..

 

[Tom]

Tom: why there are no porche in mme this year?

didn't realize that actually, let me take a look at the list

 

[rydell]

bet the audi car no. 1 drivers are very upset for losing to sls no.15....didn't even celebrate on the podium...hahahahahahha

 

[AE111_SEG]

Not sure if it was just me this year MME was terrible.
I have been to every single MME since inception.

These are the things I observed

1) Alot of regulars were absent this year. Even last year winner. Pls check the result page in
Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia. See last 3 years participant then you check this year.
Lacking real interest or boycott???
2) Without Scirico cup cars the touring class will only have hand full of cars.
3) The other class was also lacking cars as well. No Porsche, No integra Type R etc...
3) Honda malaysia was not there.
4) Not much spectator.
5) Not much exhibitors
6) The enviroment was dull.

I wonder if something happened last year\this year ? cos I get the feeling there is a silent protest\boycott.
Is MME a dying motorsport like the rest in Malaysia due to politics and lack of sponsorship.

one more thing what happen to the 75% classification rule...

 

[bohtak]

its because September clashes with a lot of other Motorsport events. why do you see so many last time cause MME was always held during August, that's when its the summer break for a lot of race teams. No HMRT as the previous CEO has passed, new CEO is a GO green techie.

 

[AE111_SEG]

agree on the summer break for overseas participant but for TP class normally filled with local with Integra DC5. What happen to them. The entry charges to high?? Michelin tyre too expensive???

TP class was dissappointing even with VW filling the spots.
The VW was just too slow. Not much competition for Honda and Toyota..

Some stats for 2 litre class :
2011 : 9 cars excluding VW cup cars.
2010 : 15 cars
2009 : 19 cars

Event promo also poor...not many knew there is a race in Sepang

 

[tkkhoo]

Its more like vw scirocco cup than endurance race :(

 

[ahshang]

Anyone know what happened to number 28 (Petronas) and number 3 car (clearwater) in last few hours?

 

[TOMEI-R]

SIC is now more interested in getting international and pro racing teams and outfits for MME rather than local participation. Can't blame them either. Rising costs in prepping the cars and setting up teams means MME is a game for the big boys only. Wait till u see this year S1K, with the 2004 cars and above ruling... I doubt there be a lot of participants this year.

 

[kimoka]

What happened to JC's DC5? :(

 

[AE111_SEG]

Not sure...I dont think it collided with other cars...cos I didnt see another car damage.
Maybe went off the track and hit the barriers....:hmmmm:

 

[supernova]

With a gloomy global economy, what do you guy expect.
Motorsport is a very expensive game, leave it to those who can afford it.
There are lots of unhappy campers with regard to SIC new regulations, but what can we do?
You either follow or leave.

 

[rydell]

Anyone know what happened to number 28 (Petronas) and number 3 car (clearwater) in last few hours?

car no 28 finished the race 315 laps, position no 3
the clearwater ferrari retired i think about 1 hour before midnight, some parts came loose coz i saw sparks underneath car car