Honda Malaysia Racing Team triumphs at the Sepang 1000km (S1K)

The annual Sepang 1000KM (S1K) happened over the weekend and Honda Malaysia Racing Team once again returned to the track to defend their title. With professional HMRT drivers Aaron Lim and Farriz Fauzy at the wheel, the team’s Honda City (Car 27) cruised to victory a lap ahead of everybody else.

HMRT completed the 181-lap endurance race in 8 hours 42 minutes lapping everybody from the back-markers to the second place runner. This year, the Honda City has been made to go faster with an improved suspension. The car’s power output has been increased to produce 140bhp compared to last year’s 128bhp output while the suspensions has been re-tuned to give the tyres a longer lifespan to match the increased speed.

Team Director Mr. Akkbar Danial said, “Congratulations to all 36 HMRT members who have shown the spirit of tenacity and consistency throughout the race, working hard behind the scenes to bring home the victory. Though faced with a tough competition of faster cars this year, the team demonstrated Honda’s challenging spirit and excellent team work in ensuring a winning edge for HMRT through our machine reliability and a good pit stop strategy. I am truly proud of them. The motorsports spirit is very much alive in Honda!”

“Apart from the technical strategy, the team also perfected their pit stop tactics. Frequencies of training for the crew were increased and all members were given theoretical and practical classes of how the machine works and the pit rules. Over the years, HMRT has proven to be an ideal platform to train and build up skills of Honda associates while honing their capabilities in the motorsports arena. I am pleased to note that 20 out of 36 HMRT members this year were new which also means that we have effectively added more associates with motorsport skills. Enhancing the skills of Honda associates has always been a core objective at HMRT. I am proud at the commitment shown by the team in using the skills and knowledge garnered through their participation in HMRT,” he added.

The annual S1K race is not just about speed and strategy but also about durability and reliability of the cars as well as determination of the team. The win has proven the team’s signature “Challenging Spirit” and motorsport DNA is very much alive in the team.

Jerrica Leong