Red Bull Rookies gearing up for Sepang 1,000km
The Red Bull Rookies team will head to the upcoming Sepang 1,000km race this year with five specially chosen female drivers piloting their Honda Integra race car. This year’s team comprises of Malaysians Puteri Ayu Jasmin, Carmen Lim, and Lee Hui Jing teaming up with Noradzlianayati Abdul Radzak and Melline Jaini both from Brunei Darussalam.
Coaching the quintet will be trainers from the Asia Advanced Driving Academy (AADA), led by chief trainer Mr Kenvin Low. Of the potential of the girls under his guidance, Kenvin said, “This year’s line up is a unique one as we have the Brunei girls joining the fray. All the girls have shown tremendous potential to do well in the race and I believe with the proper guidance, we will pose a good challenge out there on race day.”
In previous seasons, earlier incarnations of the Red Bull Rookies team have competed in the Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race 2008, followed by the inaugural Sepang 1,000km race of 2009. Veteran of those two outings are Puteri Ayu Jasmin, who returns for the third season running and now plays the role of leader and mentor to the newer drivers.
“I’d like to personally congratulate and welcome the two Bruneians Liana and Mell, into the Red Bull Rookies team and we look forward to working together for the upcoming Sepang 1000km. Both Liana and Mell certainly have the potential and drive in racing and I am confident that in the upcoming months of intensive training they will become professional race car drivers in no time. This is certainly going to be a wonderful experience for them, and I’m happy to be able to share my experience and thoughts as team leader and mentor to them,” said Puteri.
General manager of an event management company by profession, Puteri’s debut in motorsports saw her finish 6th in MME 2008 with then Red Bull Rookies teammates Leona Chin, Norbaizura Ruslan, and Norlina Johor. The following year, Puteri and Leona returned to Sepang to compete in the Sepang 1,000km race with Diana Chin and Nurhayati Omar, crossing the finishing line in 14th place.
Carmen and Hui Jing, meanwhile, were unearthed during the 2009 Red Bull Female Drivers search, where they made it to the Top 6 before losing out to the aforementioned Diana and Nurhayati in the final reckoning. Despite the setback, the two girls continued to work with the AADA crew before being picked into this year’s team.
Noradzlianayati and Melline, the two selected Brunei representatives impressed the panel of judges throughout the selection process by their driving skills and their personality. These two Brunei lasses will be scheduled to join their Malaysian counterparts to further undergo intensive professional race driver training to get themselves in optimal condition for the upcoming Sepang 1,000KM race.
“I am ecstatic and I cannot believe that I have been chosen to join the Red Bull Rookies team and represent my country Brunei. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to showcase my ability on the international track,” said Noradzlianayati.
“I am extremely honoured to be part of this dynamic Red Bull Rookies team and my ultimate goal is to challenge myself and enjoy the upcoming experience. I hope I will do my country proud as well,” added Melline.
With the exception of the ‘veteran’ Puteri, the other members of the Red Bull Rookies team have minimal on-track experience. Adding to the challenge of getting them up to scratch is that their only practice venue, the Sepang track, has a tight schedule, which limits their training time. Despite the difficulties, the girls’ chief instructor is unfazed, and is confident in being able to mould them into a competitive team.
