Hayden Haikal Chalks Up Another Win In Thailand
Last weekend (19 – 21 May) was a good one for Malaysian racer Hayden Haikal. A 3rd race win and a 6th place finish in last weekend’s Round 2 of the Idemitsu Super Turbo Championship in Thailand saw the teenager consolidate his lead in the overall point standings.
Hayden has raced in 4 races in this championship thus far and has chalked up 3 wins with his #437 Wing Hin Motorsports Toyota Vios in the Junior (Normally Aspirated) Class for engines up to 1,550 cc. He remains one of the top overall race contenders in a sea of turbocharged and more powerful cars. 
The race weekend got off to challenging start for 18-year-old Hayden. A big off during the Friday free practice session saw the team working in overdrive with only 3 hours to complete repairs and send the car out for the qualifying session. Hayden and team managed to bounce back to clock the 3rd fastest time in his Class.
On Saturday, Race 1 started off promising, with Hayden fighting for the lead in his Class and running as high as 12th overall. However, transmission issues half way into the race left him with only 5th gear and fighting to get to the finish. He ended the 12-lap race around the 4.554-kilometre Chang International Circuit in 21st place overall and 6th in class.
“I had a good fight with the Class leader and I managed to get away from him when all of a sudden the car wouldn’t downshift from 5th gear. Thankfully, we managed to resolve the problem for the 2nd race on Sunday,” commented Hayden. Race 2 on Sunday proved to be the great redeemer when Hayden’s pace had him at the head of his Class and placed 8th overall amidst the professional and turbocharged drivers. Hayden finished 2nd in Class but was later promoted to 1st when the race winner was penalized for an infringement.
“The start of the race was chaotic with a lot of cars being taken out on the main straight. I was fortunate I managed to avoid the carnage and get through safely before the red flag was brought out. When the race resumed I was battling with the top three cars in my Class and it then came down to the task of picking them out one at a time,” said Hayden.
Hayden made his debut in the Idemitsu Super Turbo Championship in March and sealed back-to-back race victories in the first 2 races of the series. With three race wins and a 6th placing after four races now, Hayden retains his lead in the overall point standings in the Junior (Normally Aspirated) Class. The 3rd and final round of the Idemitsu Super Turbo Championship will race from 16 – 18 June 2023 again at the Chang International Circuit. “We will be regrouping and with this weekend’s experience and learnings, the focus will now be on going for the overall championship win.”
