SIC to make 2009 Merdeka Millenium Race the biggest ever

Organized and promoted by Sepang International Circuit (SIC), its aim is to make Sepang as the hub of motorsport activities in the region and as an effort to develop motorsport in Malaysia and the Asian region.

The race format remains the same throughout every year, three drivers to a car, each taking turns at the wheel according to the race regulations to complete 12 hours of nonstop racing around the 5.543-km Sepang Circuit.

Each driver can only drive a maximum of 75 minutes per session and they must rest at least two-thirds of the driving time before taking another drive. The maximum cumulative driving time for each driver is 5 hours.

In commemorating this tenth celebration, some changes have been made to make the race more exciting. With the separation of the class B and C into the Sepang 1000km race (S1K), the faster main class O and A will have more grids to fill up all the way to 77 cars.

For a fair race, the class A will be split into two, A1 and A2, to separate between production supercars as A1 (Group B or GT4 or non FIA homologated production sports) and production sports and saloon cars in A2 (Group N and Group A or non FIA homologated Touring Cars).

The 77 slots on the starting grid are split into the three classes, 27 for class O, 25 for class A1 and 25 for class A2.

Also to honor the month of Ramadan which is the fasting month for Muslims, the race date that is usually set on the last weekend of August has been moved forward to the second weekend of the month which is on the 8th.

For the local motorsports enthusiasts, the MME has been a much awaited event every year since 2000. The 12 – hour endurance race will definitely put the drivers’ skill, teams’ management and the machines to the limits.

All information in regards to the 2009 Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race can be obtained at Sepang International Circuit website at www.sepangcircuit.com.my

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-2009071302331175.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-2009071302311906.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-2009071302253581.jpg[/IMG]

Credits: JRC