JPM Integra Cup Malaysia 2006 Series
Kuala Lumpur, 28 April, 2006 – JPM Motorsport, founded by JP Chin, Malaysian businessman and a late bloomer in the world of motorsport, today launched the JPM Integra Cup Malaysia, a one-make race for, yes, you’ve guessed it, Honda Integra cars.
The chairman of the newly formed Motorsport Commission of Malaysia, Dato Azman Yahya, also graced the occasion. Other guests included representatives from the AAM and the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
JP Chin gave a briefing on the race series to the guests and interested race drivers who attended the function. “This race series is modeled after the ever so popular Honda One-Make Challenge in Japan, which has its roots as far back as 1981.” said JP Chin. Starting with Civics, the race grew in popularity, and in the year 2002, the Integra replaced the Civic. In the year 2005, there were 4 different regional championships based on the same model, and more than 200 competitors took part.
One-Make races are similar to the Production Car Series races held her in Malaysia back in the 1970’s and 1980’s, except that our series then involved all makes, and many classes. In between there were some one make car races, but that died out when import duties made cars more expensive. The vacuum was filled by Proton; the company introduced the Saga and later the Wira one-make production series, followed by the Satria Gti races.
The Integra Cup brings the sport several notches higher, firstly, because these are high performance cars, and secondly, they are a little more expensive. The only element that is retained would be the fact that the playing field would be level for all who can afford to enter, as the cars have to conform to a certain specification set by the race organisers. This would at least keep the cost down.
JPM, with support from Honda Japan, Mugen Power, and Michelin, will supply and fully manage a fleet of these Integra DC5 Type R cars for the participants. Services include storage, technical support, and race crews. The mooted cost is in excess of RM230,000 per season. Any takers?
