Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race 2014, Clearwater Racing retains title in Ferrari 458



It was a busy and exciting weekend at Sepang International Circuit, where Summernats Malaysia 2014 and Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race 2014 (MMER) were held. The 12-hour endurance race around the Sepang F1 track is an annual affair since year 2000, held in conjunction with Malaysia’s National Day celebration.

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Clearwater Racing dominated the race and emerged as champion of MMER again as both Ferrari 458 managed a 1-2 podium finish.  Car #1 of Mok Weng Sun, Alif Hamdan and Gianmaria Bruni took first place, followed by car no #2 of Craig Baird, Richard Wee and Keita Sawa. Car no #99 of Absolute Racing’s Audi R8 LMS clinched the third position. It was a close fight between the R8 and Cradt Bamboo’s #777 Aston Martin.

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Car #1 completed all 325 laps as the clock struck 12am, Merdeka Day. The champion was a lap ahead of their second car. This marks the Singaporean team’s second consecutive victory. Mok Weng Sun became the third driver in the race’s fifteen years of history to win two consecutive titles with the same team.

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“It’s unbelievable, I think it’s the first time ever were we had a race when we went maximum driving time for each stint we were out there. No mistakes out on the circuit, no mistakes in the pit stop, and we broke our track lap record from last year by two laps. The only thing that slowed us down was the safety cars and it’s the first time I’ve ever experienced a perfect race.” said Mok.

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As for GTC category, the Porsche from Team NZ finished first with 291 laps completed, Audi R8 of B-Quik Racing came in second. In the tough Touring Production Category, Johor based R Engineering gave the best present for Malaysia’s Independence day as car no #21 of Lai Wee Sing, KK Soh, Gilbert Ang won that category in a Honda Civic Type R with 269 laps completed.

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Out of the 35 official entries, 28 cars started the race with 22 cars completing the 12-hour endurance race. Audi car of #101 of Absolute Racing was disqualified when their mechanics entered the track during the race.

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IMAGE GALLERY