The Round Starter

Weather : Hot n Humid
Location : Sepang Go-Kart Circuit
Soundtrack : Discoteka - Starkillers

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March 1^st saw the kick-off round of the Malaysian Rotax Max Challenge for 2008. This is the “hot-bed” and training grounds for wannabe Formula 1 drivers. The event lasted 2 days with Qualifying and Heat 1 on Saturday and the Finals on Sunday.

A quarry of drivers both local and international turned up for the event. The Sepang Go-Kart Circuit is the chosen venue and is instantly a hit with the drivers due to its demanding high-speed corners. This year again saw local driving stars like Fairuz Fauzy, Imran Zaharias, Mikko Nassi and last year’s champ Masedenal Ali participating in the seniors category. In the Juniors, local stars Ryan Ritchie and Mohd. Nabil will be competing with Indonesian drivers Rio Haryanto, Kevin Susilo, and Senna.

Imran Zaharias took 1^st place in the senior’s category with Masedenal Ali and Mikko Nassi clinching 2md and 3^rd respectively. Imran (of SGR Racing Team) is also a Formula BMW driver and claims that this is going be his year and is giving it 110%.

In the Junior Category, Kevin Susilo, Ryan Ricthie and Mohd Nabil were bumped up to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd due to the Disqualifications of driver Rio Haryanto of Indonesia and M. Rahimi from local team City-Karting.

The DD2 class or RM1 category saw Farriz Fauzy dominating over the other drivers. According to inside sources Farriz wants to be in the grand finals this year and will not risk anything to miss it.

The weather permitted a good, dry and hot race and the crowd turn up was promising with locals and tourist showing up. Local A1 GP heroes Alex Yoong and Aaron Lim also came to show their support of the local racing scene, along with upcoming Malaysian race star Jazeman Firhan who just came back from racing overseas. Round 2 of the RMC will take place in April with The Royal Kelantan Go-Kart Circuit being the host and just like last year expect an appearance from the Sultan and the Royal family.