Top drivers and fast machines makes them the favourites for Asia’s premier 12-hour endurance race
Excitement over the upcoming Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race was racheted up a notch with news of Team Petronas Syntium returning home to compete for honours.
The team has brought much fame and glory for Petronas and also Malaysia by doing well in the Japanese Super Taikyu series. Last year the team finished in third place, this time around they want to improve on their podium position.
The team is debuting their pair of all-new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 cars, giving the Stuttgart carmaker their only entry in the region’s toughest endurance race.
The two cars will sport numbers 28 and 15.
Spearheading the number 28 lead car is Johorean, Fariqe Hairuman who will partner his Super Taikyu teammate Tatsuya Kataoka and DTM legend Bernd Schneider who has five DTM championships under his belt.
Meanwhile, in making their fourth appearance at the MMER, the experienced Japanese duo of Masataka Yanagida and Nobuteru Taniguchi will be joined by another Malaysian, youngster Dominic Ang in the team’s No. 15 car. In addition to being teammates, the trio currently lead the standings in the 2011 Super Taikyu Endurance Series.
Team Principal, PETRONAS Syntium Team, David Wong is keen to do well in their homecoming race, especially now that they have a new partner.
“ We are returning to bring the challenge in the GT class with a brand new marquee to the competition. We are extremely excited to be introducing our brand new Mercedes-Benz SLS GT3 cars to the MMER this year!
“Having Schneider on board with his wealth of race experience as well as being one of the development drivers for the Mercedes SLS GT3 development program is a definite boost to our team’s preparation!
“Combined with the talent and experience of the 6 drivers, the 2011 edition has the makings of being a mouth-watering affair for both the competitors and the fans,” Wong added.
Fariqe is a 10-year veteran of the MME but he still finds it interesting: “Racing back in what I call my ‘home’ race is always extremely special for me, especially as I spend the bulk of my time competing in Japan.
“Despite it being my 10th MME, every year is special. One goes through so many different emotions in every race, from highs to lows in an instant!
“I am definitely looking forward to the competition this year, as we will be coming to Sepang with a brand new car! In addition to looking forward to working with someone like Bernd Schneider, I honestly cannot wait to drive the new Mercedes-Benz SLS GT3 car,” Fariqe added.
Organised by the Sepang International Circuit, the 11th edition of the 12-hour Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race will be flagged off at the stroke of midday on Sunday 17th September finishing twelve hours later at midnight. Readers will also be able to read the hourly updates of the race online at www.petmos.com.my and at www.twitter.com/PET_Motorsports
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