Malagamuwa tightens his grip at the top of the table

The Aston Martin Asia Cup (AMAC) returned to the glorious Sepang circuit, Malaysia for rounds five and six. In support of the Japan Super GT Series, AMAC put on an exciting display in challenging weather conditions.

Qualifying took place in searing heat with the track temperature reaching 60°C! Sri Lanka’s Dilantha Malagamuwa (Dilango Racing) took pole position by just 0.191s from Australia’s Mark Williamson. Third on the grid was Williamson’s Concord Motorsports Pte Ltd team-mate and fellow Australian, Simon Waters. Sadly, local driver Tunku Hammam was plagued by with intermittent gear selection problems and would start from the back of the grid.

The first race of the weekend took place on Saturday and despite a heavy downpour in the morning, which washed the track clean, the hot sun dried the track completely by the time the AMAC grid formed. Malagamuwa made good use of his pole position to stay ahead of Williamson into turn one and the two fought hard over the 10 lap distance with Malagamuwa just managing to hold on for the win with an ecstatic Simon Waters coming in third for his first ever podium finish and completing a 2-3 finish for the Concord Motorsports Pte Ltd team.

Behind the top three there was a train of cars fighting for position with Greg Teo and TJ Chin putting in strong drives for fourth and fifth. Lee K Kwan was going well until he was forced to pit with brake problems. Tunku Hammam had made a superb start and was up to fifth in the first lap but after contact with TJ Chin was forced to retire on lap 4 and so would again start race 2 from the back of the grid.

Sunday morning and before race two all eyes were on the skies . A heavy thunderstorm flooded the track in the morning but just as the track had dried out and the cars were assembled in the paddock the rain came back causing a rush for the hard working mechanics to change the cars to wet tyres. Once again Malagamuwa got the drop on Williamson to lead into turn one. Somehow everyone got through safely despite the lack of visibility and set off in pursuit of the leader.

Tunku Hammam had again produced a superb start and would eventually finish a fine third to the delight of the home crowd after Waters spun exiting turn ten. There were several spins and offs in the treacherous conditions as the track dried and the wet tyres overheated but thankfully no major incidents. Once again it was an entertaining race for participants and spectators alike.