2019 Sepang 8 Hours

Malaysian rider Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi and his international team mates Somkiat Chantra and Andi Farid Izdihar clinched a first Endurance World Championship podium for team Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA at the inaugural Sepang 8 Hours yesterday.   The Sepang International Circuit’s debut into the world of endurance racing was almost blighted by a torrential downpour during the daylight hours of the race. Zaqhwan and his team mates started the race from second on the grid, but was forced to rein in their enthusiasm as the unrelenting downpour forced a race start behind the safety car.   A few laps in, it was quickly determined that it was too unsafe to continue and the Sepang 8 Hours was suspended for five hours until the rain subsided enough to allow for safe racing.   The grid finally went out at the five hour mark with only three hours left on the clock. Zaqhwan was the first rider for team Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA and consistently paced fourth in the leading group.   The team’s position improved when Somkiat Chantra took over the reins and managed to narrow the gap against the race leaders. Up in front, several crashes brought the Honda CBR1000 RR into podium position.   As the clock ticked down to the final hour of the day, Somkiat had managed to place second behind race leader YART Yamaha. One last pitstop brought Zaqhwan back on track. The ace Malaysian rider was able to keep their second position, half a lap behind Niccolo Canepa.   Team Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA crossed the finish line in second place with 80 laps done in 05:51:53.459. Race winners YART Yamaha also completed 80 laps in 05:50:03.837.   “This is a very meaningful win for the team, and especially for myself and the Malaysian members of the Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA crew. It’s an amazing feeling to take the podium on homeground, especially against a field of world-class riders. Kudos to our team members who had worked especially hard this weekend,” said Zaqhwan.

There will be no burden of expectations on Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi’s shoulders as he prepares for the EWC Sepang 8 Hours at the Sepang International Circuit this weekend. The race is part of a mega event, Races of Malaysia, which will bring together the best of two-wheels and four-wheels racing with the EWC (Endurance World Championship) and WTCR.   According to the Honda Asia Dream Racing with Showa rider, over-confidence is something to be avoided, even though he is arguably the most experienced endurance rider in Malaysia.   “Physically and mentally, I am prepared for the Sepang 8 Hours. Even though I have raced in the Suzuka 8 Hours for many years, Sepang will present a whole new set of challenges,” said Zaqhwan.   “Endurance racing is very different from the sprint races that Malaysians are used to. In this type of racing, machine reliability is half the battle won,” Zaqhwan continued. The Malaysian rider will be racing on the Honda CBR1000 RR for the race.   “Nevertheless, I will be banking on the know-how I have accumulated in my many participation in the Suzuka 8 Hours to deliver the best possible results at Sepang.”   In line with team Honda Asia Dream Racing with Showa’s direction, Zaqhwan will be working alongside Indonesian rider Andi Farid Izdihar and Somkiat Chantra from Thailand.   “We’ve raced alongside each other in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championships, we know each other’s riding styles very well and I am certain we will be able to gel this weekend.”