Sepang 1000km Endurance Race

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Singapore - Sepang
Day 2: Sepang
Day 3: Sepang - Kuala Lumpur



INTRODUCTION

Simon from Element Team Racing had engaged me to cover this event for his team at the Sepang 1000km Endurance Race, featuring 58 teams, covering 181 laps of the Sepang International Circuit, over a period of about 9hours. The team consist of Simon and Leo as the race drivers, Henry as the team manager, and the workshop/tuning by Tung Chun.



DAY 1 (04 June 2010, Friday)

I arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 0515hrs to get onto flight 3K683 departing Singapore for Kuala Lumpur. On arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), I walked over to Pan Pacific KLIA for check in. Being upgraded to the executive floor, the services and in-room amenities were fantastic!






My room at the executive floor



Feet massager!


View of the KLIA control tower


Shortly after, I met Feizi at the hotel lobby, who then sent me over to Sepang International Circuit to link up with the rest of the team who were currently preparing for the qualification session shortly after.




At the Media Centre applying for a media pass that allows me to travel to all parts of the circuit to get my shots.






Element Team Racing preparing for the qualification session.








Other teams on qualifying day





Qualifying session








Gloomy day


Oopss..... someone shot me at Turn 3!


At the end of the day, Element Team Racing did well to start from 12th on the grid amongst 58 teams.

At the end of the day, we got back to the hotel for a quick shower before going over to Nilai for dinner. The local food is cheap and delicious here!









DAY 2 (05 June 2010, Saturday)

Had a great breakfast at the executive lounge before going over to Sepang International Circuit for Race Day.




Simon getting ready for the race.



Element Team Racing


Leo getting out on the sighting lap


Other teams




Grid girls and drivers before the start of the race.













The race has begun!







At around lap 60+, the team is preparing to get Leo to pit in.



Just before pitting in, the unexpected happened. The engine oil filter screw thread got worn off, and it left the oil filter dropping out, causing the car to loose oil pressure and Leo was unable to continue the race. The car was towed back, where the mechanics found the root of the cause.


Oily stains at the rear of the car


Everyone was disappointed, having prepared all week just for this race, and the unexpected happened.




Henry, Simon and Leo left the garage at around 5pm, gave me a lift back at the hotel and heads back directly to Singapore while the rest of the team crew packs up for the day.

Back at the hotel, I had a clean shower and hanged around at the executive lounge for some cocktails and snacks while surfing the internet and sorting out the past 2 days photos.



DAY 3 (06 June 2010, Sunday)

Waking up to a fresh new day for breakfast, I checked out at 0845hrs to catch the 0900hrs minibus to LCCT to meet my friends who are coming over to Kuala Lumpur for holidays.

To be continued on Kuala Lumpur and Genting with Butties........



MORE PHOTOS
Click here



FAST FACTS
Travel Insurance: $11
Air tickets: $0
Accomodation: $0
Transport: $0
Food & drinks: $0
TOTAL EXPENDITURE: S$11*

*low cost of trip made possible courtesy of Element Team Racing



EXCHANGE RATE
S$1.00 = RM2.31



TRAVEL GUIDES / NEWS / MAGAZINES
Sepang International Circuit
http://www.malaysiangp.com.my/

Pan Pacific KLIA
http://www.panpacific.com/KLairport/Overview.html

Kuala Lumpur International Airport
http://www.klia.com.my/



MAPS
http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Sepang_International_Circuit