If the new soundtrack of the turbocharged 1.6-liter Formula 1 cars deemed too quiet to some, then the 2014 MSS Round 1 will definitely be the perfect replacement to those looking for some high-pitched screams. Furthermore with a massive entry of 43 cars, the race will definitely be exciting as cars from all makes and types pour down onto the 5.543km circuit in a great symphony of speed and sound.
Although the circuit was dry on Friday evening, the dark clouds looming over meant that the drivers would have to post up their best times as soon as possible. With only a small window of time that includes a compulsory driver change, the 20 minutes allocated for the qualifying session was put into full use to the final seconds.
The Group A is where the big guns reside, where cars like the Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari 458 go head-to-head with opponents like the Aston Martin Vantage and Radicals. There was also a Holden V8 Supercar making an appearance on this round, posting up a respectable 2:14.683 to earn Craig Corliss the fifth position on the grid.
Coming up in fourth is a familiar face at Sepang International Circuit. Although in baby blue, this Lamborghini Gallardo LP600 FL2 piloted by none other than Sri Lankan Dilantha Malagamuwa should never be underestimated. His best time during qualifying was a 2:10.586.
She’s fast, and she’s furious. The Miri-born Natasha Seatter is no pushover, and she blitzed across the circuit with a best time of 2:09.842 in her Radical SR8. Adrian D’Silva secured the second spot on the grid, having done a 2:08.778 in his Ferrari 458 GT3.
Starting the first race in pole position later on is Philip Callow, also in a Radical but with a faster lap time of 2:06.074.
Group B also has its own charms as although the cars are not as feisty as the ones in Group A, they are what we can find rolling on the streets. Honda Civics, Suzuki Swifts, you name it. We particularly like this sole Proton Gen 2 in the MTC category looking very clean with the Martini stripes. They qualified with a best time of 2:46.221, placing them in the 22nd spot from the 30 cars in Group B.
This race is also going to be the debut race for Proton R3’s brand new Suprima S. Piloted by Syafiq Ali, he managed to secure the 12th spot on the grid with a time of 2:39.616, and almost one second faster than James Veerapan’s 2:40.622 in the Preve.
The twin Toyota 86 joining the race showed great potential under Wing Hin Motorsports as the no.88 driven by William Ho clocked a 2:35.446, and Kenny Leee in the no.86 posted a 2:35.162, securing the third and fourth position on the grid for the team.
However, the Honda DC5 proved that they are still a potent weapon in the game as the top two spots was dominated by them. Securing the second spot on the grid is Tony Teo with his time of 2:33.525, and Damian Dielenberg will start the first race of the Group B MSS Round 1 in pole position with a fastest time of 2:31.996.
