Motor Racing / AFOS: Sepang promises thrills aplenty

And Fahmi Ilyas promises to get over his first-round heartache in Formula BMW Pacific and bring some cheer to what is expected to be the best ever home crowd for the series at the circuit. The 17-year-old Team E-Rain driver was leading the second race in the opening rounds of the Formula BMW Pacific during the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix in March before spinning off. He is now ninth in the championship, but believes he has what it takes to deliver his first victory of the season. "It was really a case of first-time jitters I suppose. Nevertheless, I am very much determined and confident of my chances this weekend. "I am targeting to score as many points as possible and also to get on the podium for all races," said Fahmi. The launch of the event yesterday featured the AFOS Shootout, a 'Man vs Machine' race, where road cycling national champion Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi, riding his time trial bicycle, took on John Shen on board a GT3 Asia Ferrari racing car. Shen was lined on the start/finish grid at the ready, while Fauzan started at turn 15 to get up to full speed. As soon as Fauzan crossed the start/finish line, Shen gunned his engine and started down the straight. The duo finished a few metres down the straight crossing the line in a photo finish. The launch also showcased a mock race between cars from each of the series contested in the AFOS this weekend -- a Formula V6 Asia car driven by Singaporean Hafiz Koh, the Ferrari driven by Shen, a Formula BMW car driven by Fahmi and a Proton Satria Neo R3 road car, driven by R3 test driver Faidzil Alang. The AFOS this weekend features the Formula BMW Pacific, Formula V6 Asia, the GT3 Asia and the Asian Touring Car Series. "Having these four great series and a whole range of side events is our way of making it more than just a race event. "This year, we have very strong partnerships to make the Asian Festival Of Speed even more exciting. With the support of groups like Sepang International Circuit, Turn It Up from Capital FM, Kayu Nasi Kandar and of course, having the NAZA Group on board gave us the chance to create a bigger impact," said Motorsport Asia chief executive officer David Sonnenscher. The organisers yesterday also unveiled Naza Group as the main sponsors of this weekend's event, with the group's chief executive officer SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin stating the company's keen interest in the series, seeing that it ties in with its efforts to provide wholesome experiences to ownership of various levels of cars. Sonnenscher promised fans a different AFOS event from previously, with every need catered for, including various car enthusiast-related shows, 10 deejays spinning music throughout the weekend, while side events at the circuit include the Rally X series and autocross competition.There is a special RM10 pass that allows access to the paddock rooftop, the air-conditioned dining area at the paddock and join in the Pit-Walkabout where they can get up close to the race drivers and their cars and take photos with the AFOS Race Queens.

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