Sri Lanka’s Dilantha Malagamuwa Takes a Double Victory in AM Asia Cup

With track temperatures of 50°C, qualifying was a true test of both man, machine and Michelin tyres around the sweeping Sepang circuit. Sri Lanka’s Dilantha Malagamuwa (Dilango Racing) was to take the honours of pole position less than eighth-tenths of a second from Mark Williamson of Australia in one of the three ConcordEnergy Racing cars competing. This set up an exciting front row, given Malagamuwa and Williamson came to the event with one win apiece after the opening rounds.

They would have stiff opposition with ThunderAsia Racing’s Mel Choo just a fraction behind them on the grid in third position with Malaysia’s own Tunku Hammam in fourth. Indeed the 14-strong grid was covered by just a few seconds demonstrating how the AMAC series is becoming ever more competitive.

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Race One saw Malagamuwa make a clean start, making the most of his pole position and managing to stay just ahead of a charging Williamson who slotted into second place before gearshift problems would see him fall down the pack. As anticipated Singapore’s Choo and Malaysia’s Hammam had a tough battle as they fought for second and third.

A fierce battle in the group just shy of the podium places saw Jean-Marc Merlin (France), Peter Boylan (Australia), Stewart Seatter (Scotland), Azman Yahya (Malaysia) and JP Chin (Malaysia) running nose to tail.

Held over the full GP circuit, the longer than normal 15 lap race in gruelling conditions was a superb challenge for the drivers all of whom rose to the contest. As the chequered flag fell it was strong victory for Malagamuwa, a joyous second place in his home race for Hammam and third for Choo.

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Once again Malagamuwa made the most of his pole position and headed out into the lead at the start of the weekend’s second but Choo, Hammam and Merlin stayed in close contention as the podium battle got on the way. Starting from the back of the grid, Williamson was scything through the field, even contact and a quick spin was not enough to stop his charge!

With Malagamuwa pulling out a clear lead, the fight behind him remained tight with Hammam eventually falling back with technical problems. Throughout the field it was very close racing with the odd scrape and it was never short of entertainment!

At the end of another 15 strenuous laps it was another victory for Malagamuwa with Choo once more on the podium, this time a step up in second. They were joined by an elated Merlin in third. Williamson’s impressive fight back saw him take fourth whilst his ConcordEnergy Racing team-mate and fellow Australian Simon Waters took sixth.

An excellent result Championship contender Dilantha Malagamuwa but not so for his rival Mark Williamson, however, he will soon have a chance to make amends with the fifth and sixth rounds of the Aston Martin Asia Cup once again visiting Sepang on 19th-21st June in support of the Super GT International Series.