Kuala Lumpur, May 13 - The newly launched KBS-PENNZOIL-AAM MALAYSIA RALLY SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP (MRSC) kicks off its first round in Putrajaya, on 15th May 2010, and will be flagged off by our Honourable Prime Minister, Y.A.B Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak. Held in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth and Sports's (KBS) National Youth Day celebration, the rally takes place at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and its surrounding areas.
Officially launched by the Youth & Sports Minister, YB Dato’ Ahmad Shabery Bin Cheek a fortnight ago, this event currently has an entry of 30 cars, featuring seasoned and rookie drivers, including two foreign names in the form of Andrew Miller, a Canadian based in Hong Kong, as well as Lohith Urs Indian rally Champion and Sanjay Takle, from India. The leading local entry is that of former Malaysian Rally Champion, Saladin Mazlan, of Felda Rally team.
All drivers are required to tackle night run Special Stages (SS) on Saturday, followed by the usual day run of SS on Sunday. Presently, the MRSC is the only rally championship in Malaysia to feature night-run SS. Additionally, the MRSC also features SuperSpecial Stages (SSS), whereby two cars compete against each other simultaneously, on one course.
The MRSC is intended to be a gateway into rallying for newcomers, and it offers the same challenges that a standard rally event would, but on a smaller scale. The incentive for newcomers are that the organisers will be bearing the costs of transportation and accomodation, and with the organisers being experienced and competitor-friendly, will be at hand to guide as well as provide necessary support to the new drivers.
Given a new lease of life in 2010 by KBS, corporate sponsor UMW Pennzoil Distributors Sdn Bhd, and event manager GSR Motorsports, the MRSC will historically feature a team of 10 junior drivers. These drivers were selected by GSR Motorsports and the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) from their ongoing driver development programme, and will be supported by KBS under the title of 1 Belia 1 Malaysia Rally Team.
With categories based on engine capacity, to novice and junior drivers, and even a special category for lady drivers, this budget friendly, but much publicised championship, is set to raise the profile of Malaysian rallying in general.
“We have received a lot of positive feedback, and it has been very encouraging to work on this programme. More new teams and sponsors investing in this championship means there will be more sponsorship opportunities for drivers currently competing or would like to compete in the future," said event director, Gunaseelan Rajoo of GSR Motorsports.
“With cars ranging from full blown 4WD turbo rally machines to beginner friendly ones, the spectator friendly stages are a must for any motorsport fan or shutterbug. It will also enable the fans to appreciate the entent of challenges faced by these competitors,” he added.
