HONDA MALAYSIA RACING TEAM CAPTURES MME TOURING PRODUCTION CLASS TITLE

2010-08-09 22:59:55 Author: admin Source:

The Honda Malaysia Racing team (HMRT) have successfully secured the Touring Production Class title in the 2010 Merdeka Millennium Endurance (MME) Race held at the Sepang International Circuit from 6 - 8 August. After two seasons of failing to make the mark in the top three or podium spots, HMRT finally returned to its past glories true to its factory or works team status.

With the race concluded early Sunday, HMRT's car No. 27 crossed the line first to lead all runners in the Touring Production category and was categorized eighth overall among the 2010 MME finishers.

HMRT drivers Eddie Lew, Rueben Wong and Aaron Lim each endured tough challenges and displayed true grit throughout Malaysia's most popular 12-hour endurance race event. Starting driver Lew credited his team mates for this momentous victory, "This win is a result of the long hours, hard work and many preparations made by the whole HMRT. I believe I speak on behalf of Rueben and Aaron when I say that it is truly a team effort and we couldn’t have done it without everyone."

"Many factors are involved in helping Car 27 to emerge as the Touring Production Class champion for MMER 2010 – the car and its ability to endure the 12-hour challenge, the teamwork in preparing the car, and ensuring smooth pit stops throughout the race, the drivers in being careful, alert and following a well planned strategy and last but not least a stroke of luck!" he added.

Rueben Wong, who took over the baton from Lew in the second stint of the 12-hour long race, affirmed that the Honda Civic Type R racecar had proved to be very reliable and performed consistently every single lap  More importantly, he concurred that the unity of all HMRT members was the reason for this success, "Throughout the preparations and during the race itself, I can see the determination in the HMRT members to fight for the title. All of them know their roles and communicate well among each other. It is the teamwork that enables us to rise to the challenge together this year and win back the Touring Production Class Championship in MMER 2010!"

Final stint driver Aaron Lim concluded, "Preparing for this year’s race has not been all easy. There were quite a few challenges for MMER 2010. One of them is of course the changed regulation on tyres. HMRT members and drivers had to cope and test out totally new tires that we have not used before. Besides that, the race this year started at midnight, which means longer period of driving in the dark."

An elated Mr Toru Takahashi, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Team Principal, commented, "The team has improved greatly and worked hard throughout the year to rectify the minor errors made at last year’s race. Their dedication and hard work has paid off. All of them have done a great job, especially with a fully local team! Indeed, this is a perfect example of the Merdeka spirit of Malaysians."

"I believe the team will bring the same spirit of excellence and overcoming challenges into their daily tasks at Honda Malaysia. Our greatest challenge this year was winning back the Championship title in the Touring Production Class with our motto: Rising to the Challenge!" he added.