03/09/2006
NEWS STORY
The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport two-day official testing concluded on Thursday with A1 Team Malaysia recording the fastest lap time of the event.
Alex Yoong and Fairuz Fauzy, the regular drivers for the team, were joined by Aaron Lim and Nik Iruwan, two young Malaysian drivers who were given their first taste of the powerful A1GP race car. Fauzy was behind the wheel when the fastest time was recorded at the Silverstone circuit in the UK on the first day of the test sessions with a lap time of 1'10.507. A1 Team Germany was quickest on the second day of running, one-tenth of a second behind the Asian entry.
The two days of testing were valuable preparation for A1 Team Malaysia's assault on the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport in 2006/07, the second season of this global motor racing series which features national teams competing for the pride of their country. The team used the opportunity to introduce two young drivers to the world of A1GP, demonstrating the commitment to nurturing future stars of Malaysian motorsport.
Nik Iruwan said after his drive, "It was a brilliant experience. I've never driven anything as fast as the A1 car. First of all I had to learn the track and understand the car which I did in the first few laps and then as I settled in I was able to pick up the speed. The power, the steering and the braking were the biggest difference between the cars I've been driving and this one. I hope that I will be able to compete with the team when I have the experience."
Aaron Lim echoed Iruwan's sentiments, saying, "It was an amazing day. The team really looked after us and helped us to prepare for our turn in the car. We watched, listened and learned from being here, and really admired the strong teamwork within A1 Team Malaysia. I really enjoyed driving the car; it was very powerful and quick through the corners. I've never experienced such a fast car. My sights are firmly set on being able to represent my country in the A1GP series."
The team used the test session to prepare and develop the car prior to the first race of the season in four weeks time. Yoong and Fauzy were charged with these duties and pounded the Silverstone circuit in their efforts to set the car up for the races ahead.
Yoong said at the conclusion of the test, "It was a good two days of testing. We had an intensive programme which we worked through, and although it wasn't about doing quick lap times, the bonus for us was that Fairuz was quickest yesterday putting us top of the time sheets. I enjoyed being back in a single seater car again, especially as we were all here representing our country."
Fauzy added, "I'm very pleased to have been the quickest driver of the 19 teams testing here. We weren't concentrating on this really, but when you're testing a car and looking at the different areas to improve the performance, for it to come together like that, and be quickest, is very rewarding. It's a strong start for us as we head to the first race."
The A1 Team Malaysia crew return to the UK-based A1GP workshop today to prepare the car for its 2006/07 worldwide tour, with the Series visiting 12 countries around the globe, following the winter sun, and taking the A1GP thrills and excitement to millions of spectators and television viewers.
Jack Cunningham, Chief Executive, A1 Team Malaysia reviewed the test saying, "We couldn't have had a better start to the second year of competition. We finished the first season with a victory at the final race event in Shanghai and we've now returned to the track and proved to be the quickest team. It's excellent and I congratulate everyone in the team for their efforts to make the last two days such a great success.
I know that Nik and Aaron also enjoyed their laps of Silverstone in the A1 Team Malaysia car and I think they'll remember this day as a milestone in their racing careers. As a team, one of our key objectives is to develop young Malaysian motorsport and this was our first opportunity to put this into practice."