SIC Join Forces With PPM for MMER 2013 & Together Celebrates Iftar with Orphans. Adopting a fresh approach for the 2013 Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race (MMER), Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has joined forces with internationally renowned Pacific Project Management (PPM) in promoting the iconic 12-hour endurance race, which will be held at the circuit to celebrate Merdeka Day next month.
Launching the 14th edition of the MMER, SIC Chairman Datuk Mokhzani Tun Dr Mahathir said the new collaboration is aimed at helping to elevate the status of the event, which has been synonymous with the progress and the growing stature of the circuit in the sports.
“Together with PPM, we aim to build on the past success and reputation of the famous 12 hour race and take it forward to a new level of local and international recognition to make it the leading endurance race in the region,” Mokhzani said.
PPM is formed by a group of motorsports professional led by Ian Ross Geekie, who has a wealth of motor racing experience in various capacities throughout Asia over the past years, together with Han Wey Tong and his brother Andrew Tong who have together been very active and successful in the local motorsport scene.
Held at the circuit, MMER 2013 was launched during an Iftar with children from the Baitus Sakinah Wal Mahabbah Orphanage, Kota Warisan. Malaysia’s Moto3 rider, Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin came to cheer the event with SIC-sponsored international riders, Amirul Hafiq Azmi and Husni Aizat Abdul Malik, who are currently competing in the CEV Repsol Spanish Championship under the banner of the Touchline SIC Ajo Racing Team.
In injecting further excitement to MMER, Mokhzani also said that this year’s race, which would be held from August 29 to 1st Sept, would also be introducing new categories and a revised qualifying format. Currently 32 cars has confirmed their registration and MMER is targeting over 40 participants from all over the world consisting of professional and iconic drivers compared to last year’s 30 cars on grid.
“For the spectators, we are also incorporating top class support races as well as off-track activities for them to enjoy throughout the event,” said Mokhzani, adding that the 14th edition of the MMER would feature a midnight start and had already had former F1 driver Mika Salo confirming his participation with the Ferrari AF Corse Racing Team.
On iftar with the orphans, Mokhzani said that it was organized in the spirit of ‘ibadah’ to bring in some joy for the orphans. The iftar session also saw performances by AlMawlid with young talents from the orphanage home and also a special ‘Tazkirah’ by Al Habib Najmuddin bin Othman Al-Khered which uplifted the spirit of Ramadan for the attendees of the day and ended with Tarawih session. The orphans went home with Raya token from SIC to help them in preparation to the upcoming festive season and also special merchandises from ZulFahmi himself.
Source : MME