Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Thrills At Sepang

by Zachary Ho - Aug 14, 2024

Porsche Malaysia, represented by Sime Darby Auto Performance, recently hosted a thrilling weekend of racing at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit (9 – 11 August 2024). The weekend featured the highly anticipated Rounds 9, 10, and 11 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA), with local hero Nazim Azman making a return to the circuit with the Sime Darby Racing Team with his 2nd consecutive home race across seasons.

“Our motorsport DNA is deeply ingrained in everything we do at Porsche. As we reach mid-season in the PCCA, we are excited to have Nazim and Sime Darby Racing Team represent us on home ground, and we look forward to an unforgettable weekend of racing at Petronas Sepang International Circuit,” shared Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer, Sime Darby Auto Performance.

Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia 2024 Finale

Last weekend also saw the finale of the Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia 2024 which blends the excitement of real and virtual racing. Competitors raced in identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) cars on virtual tracks from the PCCA season, with 30 finalists battling it out across 3 categories i.e. Junior Dreamers (10 – 14 years old), Young Dreamers (15 – 17 years old), and Driven Dreamers (18 years old and above).

“Whether in the digital realm or on the racetrack, racing is inherently in our DNA. In Malaysia, the rise of sim racing has offered an incredible opportunity for young talents to showcase their competitive spirits and compete in the exciting world of digital motorsport. Simulation racing has also increasingly played an important role in shaping the future of motorsports, be it in race preparations for racers or with the development of both our racing and road vehicles,” commented Christopher Hunter.

Porsche 911 Showcase: Celebrating The Iconic Sportscar

Adding to the weekend’s allure, Porsche Malaysia showcased several iconic 911 models, including the adventurous 911 Dakar, the Le Mans-winning 911 RSR, and the special 60th anniversary edition, the 911 S/T.

Inspired by the Paris-Dakar Rally-winning Porsche 953, the 911 Dakar is limited to 2,500 units and is an exclusive model that is just as capable off-road as on the road. Among its many striking details, the 911 Dakar features impressive ground clearance which is 50 mm higher than a 911 Carrera with sports suspension, enabling it to dominate all terrains.

Additionally, the 911 RSR is a modern day racing legend, famed for the ferocious soundtrack from its 6-cylinder boxer engine that powered it to glory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 911 RSR epitomises Porsche’s passion for endurance racing, which is more than just a platform to compete for glory, but a testbed for new technologies which would eventually make their way into series production sportscars.

Limited to just 1,963 units worldwide, the 911 S/T combines elements of the 911 GT3 with Touring Package and the 911 GT3 RS, epitomizing driving enjoyment in its purest form.

Exciting New Addition: The Endurance Challenge

This year’s Malaysian leg of the PCCA introduced a new racing segment i.e. the Endurance Challenge, marking its debut in Asia. This grueling segment tested the drivers with 2 30-minute races with a standing start and a 45-minute race with a rolling start, adding a new layer of intensity to the competition. The next Endurance Challenge will continue in Shanghai, promising even more high-stakes racing action.

The reward for the winning drivers of Race 3 in each category will be a VIP ticket to attend the Bathurst 12 Hours as a special guest of Porsche.

The event in Malaysia also saw the 2nd visit of the Technology Transfer Apprenticeship Programme (TTAP) – Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’s initiative to help students work and observe various roles in race control courtesy of technical partner EKS Motorsport. TTAP helps to develop interest for mechanics and engineers of the future, allowing them to gain crucial hands-on experience.

Highlights From The Race Weekend

Round 9 saw intense competition as Mathys Jaubert of TORO Racing took pole position. However, it was Porsche Junior Alessandro Ghiretti from Team Jebsen who initially led the race. A 10-second penalty for Ghiretti ultimately cost him points, allowing Jaubert to claim his first victory in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. The podium was rounded out by Marco Giltrap of Team Porsche New Zealand and Rodrigo Dias Almeida of R&B Racing.

In the Pro-Am class, Bao Jinlong continued his dominant season with another class victory, securing 4th place overall. Bao’s Phantom Global Racing teammate Zhang Yaqi and Z.SPEED Motorsport’s Li Xuanyu joined him on the podium. In the Am category, Eric Kwong of Bergwerk Motorsport narrowly edged out Munkong Sathienthirakul of EBM for the win, with Henry Kwong of Triple ACE Racing taking 3rd place.

Round 10 featured a record 29-car field under the Sepang lights, creating a spectacular visual spectacle for the fans. Dylan Pereira of Team Shanghai Yonda BWT emerged victorious as he made a swift move from the 3rd row to the lead early in the race. Jaubert and Ghiretti completed the podium, while in the Pro-Am class, Liu Kai Shun of R&B Racing took his first win of the season as a spin by Bao cost him another Pro-Am victory. Eric Zang claimed second for TORO Racing, while Yaqi was a close third.

The Am category witnessed another close battle, with Sathienthirakul besting Eric Kwong by just over half a second. Once again, Henry Kwong crossed the line 3rd.

The Final Race and Endurance Challenge debuted on a wet track, adding an extra challenge for the drivers. Ghiretti seized the lead after an early mistake by polesitter Jaubert. Despite interruptions by two Safety Car deployments, the race provided plenty of action. Nazim Azman initially clinched 3rd place but was later penalized for contact, promoting Martin Ragginger of Porsche Holding to the podium.

Kai Shun continued his excellent form in the Pro-Am class, ahead of Zang and Bao in 3rd. Meanwhile, Eric Kwong overcame Sathienthirakul in the Am category for another dramatic victory. Henry Kwong took up the 3rd podium spot.

With 5 races left of the campaign, Ghiretti continues to lead the championship, 20 points clear of nearest challenger Jaubert. Bao holds a comfortable lead in the Pro-Am class, although there is a close 4-way battle for 2nd behind him. In the Am category, Eric Kwong heads Munkong Sathienthirakul by 21 points heading into the final 2 race weekends of the season.

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia returns for Rounds 12 – 13 of the 2024 season as support for the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Circuit. You can rewatch Rounds 9, 10 and 11 of Porsche Carrera Cup Asia here: https://bit.ly/pcca2024-livestream.

In a move to reestablish its presence in Sarawak, MAN Malaysia recently made visits to key locations in the state i.e. Kuching, Bintulu, and Sibu. This visit marks a renewed focus on the Sarawak market, where MAN Trucks had once enjoyed success, with nearly 190 trucks sold between 2005 and 2013.

During at stop in Kuching, the MAN Malaysia team paid a courtesy visit to an old customer whose fleet of MAN CLA medium- and heavy-duty trucks had served reliably for over a decade. Despite the fleet’s decommissioning, the team was met with positive feedback, including praise from one driver who highlighted the truck’s impressive pulling power on hilly terrain, powered by a modest 6.8L engine.

The Kuching visit also included a check-in with the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, which utilises a MAN TGM 18.280 4×4 primarily for rescue missions. The team capped off its visit with a dinner hosted for members of the Sarawak Lorries Transport Association, a 40-year-old organisation. The evening offered valuable insights into the current needs of local transporters, who predominantly operate Japanese and Chinese trucks.

MAN Malaysia with members of Sarawak Lorries Transport Association.

The following day, the team flew to Bintulu, where they reconnected with former customers and met with the president of the Federation of Sarawak Lorry Association. The trip provided an opportunity to discuss the evolving demands of the industry and to introduce the advanced features of MAN’s latest offerings.

Thayalan Subramaniam of MAN Malaysia with Air-Marine Cargo's Robert Chiew (right) & Federation of Sarawak Lorry Association president Ling Kah Kiong (2nd from right). — Thayalan Subramaniam of MAN Malaysia (4th from right) with Air-Marine Cargo’s Robert Chiew (right) & Federation of Sarawak Lorry Association president Ling Kah Kiong (2nd from right).

On the third day, the MAN Malaysia team embarked on a 3-hour drive along the newly constructed Pan Borneo Highway, from Bintulu to Sibu. A stop in the coastal town of Mukah allowed the team to assess several decade-old MAN TGA 33.400 6×4 and MAN TGS 33.440 6×4 trucks, still in operation transporting coal from an underground mine to a local power station.

Before concluding their trip and returning to Kuala Lumpur, the team made a final courtesy call in Sibu to a customer who had recently visited the MAN Pavilion at the 2024 Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo (MCVE). The visit reinforced the positive experiences many had with the durability and power of MAN Trucks, and sparked interest in the new Euro 5-powered models.

“We are encouraged by the feedback from the Sarawak market. Those that had operated MAN Trucks before had a lot of positive experiences with the power and durability of our products. Some also expressed interest in the class-leading features of our new Euro 5-powered MAN Trucks,” said MAN Malaysia Managing Director Andrew O’Brooks.

L-R: MAN Malaysia GM, Thayalan Subramaniam and MD Andrew O'Brooks. — L-R: MAN Malaysia GM, Thayalan Subramaniam and MD Andrew O’Brooks.

With its Euro 5 engines, MAN Trucks are setting new standards in driver orientation, fuel efficiency, assistance systems, digital networking, and sustainability. This recent visit to Sarawak reflects MAN Malaysia’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the region’s transport industry and highlights its dedication to delivering innovative and sustainable transport solutions.

For more information on the MAN, please visit www.man.com.my.