Kuala Lumpur, 28 April 2006 – JPM Motorsport today gathered in a small soft launch ceremony in Kuala Lumpur to announce the inaugural JPM INTEGRA CUP MALAYSIA (JPM-ICM) 2006, a one-make race series targeted to commence in the month of May 2006.

The ceremony was officiated by the founder of JPM Motorsport and himself an accomplished racer, JP Chin, and was graced by the Chairman of the newly formed Motorsport Commission of Malaysia, Dato’ Azman Yahya. Other guests included representatives from the AAM and the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), participant drivers of the Integra Cup Malaysia 2006, sponsors and guests of JPM Motorsport as well as racing aficionados of all levels from the beginners to the race professionals who turned up in support of the new race series.

JP Chin provided a briefing update of the race series which will be the first of its kind in this country. In his speech, he said, “This race series is modelled after the ever so popular Honda One-Make Challenge in Japan.  The first Honda One-Make Challenge was held in 1981 using a fleet of similarly prepared Honda Civics, until 2002 when it was replaced by the new Honda Integra. The series was so popular that in 2005, Japan had 4 different regional championships involving more than 200 competitors.”

One-Make Challenge is popular as it puts the participants in a level playing field as the series regulation permits only minimal adjustment to the car, thus ensuring results are based on driver skill alone.  This is exactly the objective of the JPM-ICM.  In addition, the JPM-ICM will drastically lower the barrier of entry for a prospective racer.

support from Honda Japan, Mugen Power, Enkei and Michelin, will supply and fully manage a fleet of ultra-fast and ultra-reliable Honda Integra DC5 Type R for the participants.  With services covering from storage to technical support by engineers flown all the way from Japan and race crews, participants will have to invest a mere RM230,000 to race for the whole season.  This is very much less than what is normally required of a racer to race at this level of competition, and is made possible by heavily subsidised race cars by Honda Japan.

During the soft launch, JP Chin also announced a collaboration with Times Academy, to further support JPM’s aspirations to put Malaysia in the world map of auto racing.  In a press statement, Times Academy says “Times Academy is proud to be associated with this prestigious motorsport event. We are indeed grateful to JP Performance Motorsport Sdn Bhd (JPM) by providing our City & Guilds Diploma in Automotive Engineering students an opportunity to be involved in the field of motorsport racing. A number of students will be joining JPM as apprentice Assistant Mechanic throughout the JPM Integra Cup Malaysia 2006 race calendar.  With the right training in the motorsport sector, our students will be further expose to new racing technology and gain practical hands-on experience on maintenance of race car.” After the speeches, five units of the race cars were unveiled to the delight of the attendees.

The Participants

JPM initially ordered fifteen units of the Integra DC5 from Honda Japan.  Overwhelming response within a short time period resulted in currently seventeen confirmed entrants for the JPM-ICM 2006.  JPM is now targeting for 25 cars to be at the starting grid come May.  This may well be the highest number of entrants for an inaugural race series in Malaysia, signifying the ever increasing popularity of auto racing in the country.

The Race Cars

The Honda Integra DC5 Type R was introduced in 2001. The Integra is a coupe model that integrates the most important fundamental elements of driving-running, cornering and braking-with a highly refined, stylish design, developed around the three principle concepts of "sharp and solid styling," "exciting driving" and "excellent safety and ecological performance".

For the JPM-ICM 2006, the Integra will be using the N1 engine specification which was originally designed for Honda Malaysia Racing Team to participate in the 2004 Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race. The objective is not outright power but more on consistent power and durability. The engine can be pushed aggressively and has been tested to last for more than 24 hours of high speed runs. Every standard Type R engine has been well assembled at Honda’s factory. Extra care and attention is devoted to any engine that

carry the great Type R logo. But this is not enough for racing. Mugen reassemble the engine to their specifications with specifically controlled precision. Weak components are replaced with proven Mugen parts. Basically, this is a standard engine that has been well assembled to a very high specification.

The Race Series

The race series is targeted to have nine races throughout the year with six races in conjunction of the Malaysian Super Series, two races in conjunction of the Super GT race, with a final Mini Endurance scheduled tentatively in mid November the cap the season.  The tentative Race Schedule is as follows:

There will be two categories of participants; advanced and novice.  Awards include Driver’s Championship, Team Championship and the Most Presentable Race Cars.

Calling More Participants and Prospective Sponsors

Eight more slots are still up for grabs in this inaugural JPM Integra Cup Malaysia 2006.  Though the initial target for fifteen cars at the starting grid has been exceeded, JPM is increasing its target to 25 cars.  Interested racers can contact JPM Motorsport for more

detail.  In addition, JPM Motorsport is still calling for prospective sponsors including the race series Title Sponsor.

JPM Motorsport originated from Team G-1 Symphony, winner of several local races including the MME Championship and SIC’s Best Team Award.

Further information regarding the JPM INTEGRA CUP MALAYSIA 2006 can be found in their Race Event Prospectus and Sponsorship Prospectus which can be obtained from the JPM Motorsport Organising Team by calling JP Chin at 012-2031097 (jp.chin@symphony.com.my) or Nordin Saisi at 012-3955555/019-2805555 (nordin.saisi@symphony.com.my).