ATCC: Malaysia AFOS preview

Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA, May 3rd, 2001

Asia's premier motorsport event, the Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS), will return to Malaysia this month as part of the 2001 calendar. AFOS will feature the popular FIA-sanctioned Asian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) and the Asian Formula 2000 (AF2000) series.

The 2001 season began last month in Subic Bay, Philippines. It has already received good response from ATCC and AF2000 participants from Hong Kong, Japan, India, China, Macau, Singapore, Indonesia, United Kingdom and New Zealand.

In Malaysia, the series will once again run at all three circuits starting with Johor Circuit (19th-20th May) followed by Batu Tiga Speedway Circuit * (30th June - 1st July) and Sepang International Circuit (21st - 22nd July).

Another regular feature race in the AFOS event is the Porsche Asian Challenge (PAC). The PAC will start this season in Johor, and will continue throughout the remaining two events in Shah Alam and Sepang before proceeding to Thailand and Korea. Apart from the three main categories, which run twice during each event, AFOS will also feature many exciting local support races.

As always, ATCC will have the leading drivers from the region fighting for the top podium spot in their highly competitive cars like the Peugeot 306, Alfa Romeo 156, Toyota Altezza, Honda Civic and more. Established Japanese driver, Taichiro Ohnishi of reigning champion team WK Longman Racing, will be fighting hard against his teammate C. Nattavude of Thailand as well as trying to fend off the challenge from the Alfa Romeo's of former EKS driver and current championship leader Paul Chan. 2000 Division 2 Champion Kenny Lo and Lam Wai Hung of Knight Motorsports. The event will also see entries from top Malaysian drivers such as Jimmy Low who will be trying to repeat their success of last season here on their homeground. The national petroleum supported Team Petronas will also be entering two cars in this category.

In AF2000, the Malaysian Team Meritus and its driver, Meckel Ali, will try to make up for the championship point deficit suffered in Subic when they take to the track with championship leader, Karun Chandhok from India who scored maximum points in the first two rounds. This premier FIA-sanctioned Asian single-seater racing car is built specifically to cultivate young talent and to provide a bridge to the higher echelons of motorsport such as Formula 1.

Motorsport Asia Limited, the promoter of AFOS, looks forward to the upcoming Malaysian events and promises lots of action and entertainment for everyone. The event, which runs on 8 circuits this year, will also visit countries such as Thailand, Korea, China and Macau.

AFOS is supported by Michelin Tyre, Snap-On Tool, PanGlobal Insurance and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. Tickets for the Johor AFOS event is priced at RM10 (Hillstand) and RM20 (Grandstand). Admission for children below 12 years old is free of charge. For more ticket information, please contact Axcess Tickets hotline - (03) 705 3000 or visit www.axcesstickets.com. For Singapore hotline, please contact (65) 348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg.

-AFOS-