KARAMJIT CROWNED FELDA-AAM MALAYSIAN RALLY CHAMPION
Kuantan, Pahang, 4th November – Karamjit Singh was crowned champion of the FELDA-AAM Malaysian Rally Championship (FAMRC) when he won the penultimate round – Round 4 – held at FELDA Lepar Hilir One in Kuantan, Pahang this weekend.
With no close rival to challenge him, the ‘Flying Sikh’ and his co-driver Jagdev Singh easily steered their Mitsubishi Evo 8 to the finish line, clocking 2:11:02 to take home the Championship trophy.
Trailing behind by 12 min 46sec was the Indonesian team of Benny Lautan and Edwin Nasution in the Proton PERT.
Third place went to Sutan Mustaffa Salihin and Ahmad Nadzrie Ahmad Shuhaimi in the Proton Satria with the accumulated time of 2:26:42.
Perodua M5 Racing Team, which entered three cars, saw only one team finish. Kan Chee Hong and Arish Qutb Ahmad Khan in the Perodua Myvi finished fourth, clocking an overall time of 2:38:11. The MyVi experienced technical and mechanical problems in both legs of Round 4. The team did not finish (DNF) the first leg but managed to finish the second and secured Championship points.
Fifth place winners Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya and Cheah Chii Keen in the Proton Satria Neo were ecstatic with their time of 2:41:14 having re-entered the rally scene after a long absence.
At a press conference following the award ceremony a jubilant Karamjit said, “We are happy we won the Championship as we had a tough day yesterday trying to get the suspension right to suit the course. Even though we have won the Championship we will still take part in the final round (Round 5) as we are committed to our sponsors and to the organizer,” he added.
The final round of the FAMRC will take place in Perlis on 8th and 9th December, 2007.
Karamjit, who has been the champion of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and was the first Asian Production Car World Rally Championship (PWRC) champion, also revealed that his team would take part in three rounds of the APRC next year, in Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia, if they manage to secure sponsorship for next season. Karamjit’s team, Karamjit Motorsports, is currently sponsored by Aldwich, Safeguard Securicor, Bin Jarallah, ALPS Freight and Logistics and Silverstone Tyres.
The International regulatory body for Rallying, FIA, recently confirmed the date for the Malaysian round of the APRC next year as 11th and 12th October. The rally will be held in FELDA Bandar Tenggara, Johor.
Rally organizer, Wheel Sports Management Sdn Bhd’s Director, Tengku Shaharin Abu Bakar Almarhum Tengku Suleiman said this weekend’s rally was a great success despite the added challenge of the Monsoon rains.
“We weren’t sure how muddy the course was going to be and how it would affect the teams’ performances. Most managed the course very well, even the newcomers, and despite the slippery surfaces, 14 of the 19 cars entered managed to finish, which is a good result.” he said.
“Congratulations to Karamjit and Jagdev for securing the Championship so early, well done to everyone who participated and to my team who worked so hard to make this event successful. We are looking forward to the final round in Perlis in December and then we will start work on the FAMRC for 2008. Next year we have big plans for the FAMRC in the lead up to the APRC in Johor,” Tengku Shaharin added.
Winners were presented their trophies and prize money by Dato’ Abdul Manan Ismail, Panching State Assemblyman, Pahang at Mahkota Square, downtown Kuantan, this afternoon.
Official Results
1. Karamjit Singh/Jagdev Sing Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 02:11:02
2. Benny Lautan/Edwin Nasution Proton PERT 02:23:48
3. Sutan Mustaffa Salihin/Ahmad Nadzrie Ahmad Shuhaimi 02:26:42
4. Kan Chee Hong/Arish Qutb Ahmad Khan 02:38:11
5. Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya/Cheah Chii Keen 02:41:14
