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Race report by P.Y.Tang
Round 1 of the Malaysia National Championship EP was held at the Kota Raja Track in Klang, Malaysia. The track is considerably large and the Round 1 layout was high speed and flowing with a few technical sections including a fast chicane in front of the driver's stand. This round was a one-sided affair where the new OrcaQ QXI 11.5T Brushless Motor was the talking point in the ProStock Class 11.5T.


Tires/inserts choice was another major concern among drivers where the old surface with medium traction and high wear rate proved to be very challenging. Tires/inserts choice is open to any brands but only 2 sets of tires were allowed for qualifying rounds, with an additional set allowed for use for the A-Main.

The qualifying rounds started out at around 10:00AM with three classes competing: ProStock 11.5T, Stock 17.5T, and M-Chassis. The ProStock 11.5T was a highly competitive class. Norazam Z Abidin topped the class in all the rounds with the only 19 laps @ 5:19.113 securing pole position, followed by Azri Amri in 2nd with 18 laps @ 5:00.031. P.Y.Tang (XRAY T3) grabbed 3rd from the pole in Round 3 with 18 laps @ 5:03.430, just enough to push Jackie Siow to 4th from pole with 18 laps @ 5:04.488. The fastest lap of the qualifying rounds was posted by P.Y.Tang at 16.000sec.

Final Top 10 Qualifiers (ProStock 11.5T):

1. Norazam
2. Azri Amri
3. P.Y.Tang XRAY T3
4. Jackie Siow XRAY T3

5. Michael Lo
6. Zuki
7. Ken Ng XRAY T3
8. James Ki XRAY T3

9. Jonest
10. Shahrin

In the Final A1, Norazam and Azri Amri got off to a good start. P.Y.Tang took the first corner wide allowing Jackie Siow to move into 3rd position. P.Y.Tang was suffering from poor traction, possibly due to incorrect application duration of the tire addictive. The first round was a battle between Norazam, Azri Amri and Jackie Siow pulling away from the others, with Norazam winning Final A1, Azri Amri 2nd, Jackie Siow 3rd, and P.Y.Tang 4th.



Going into the A2, P.Y.Tang decided to put on a new set of tires, and he was immediately breathing down the neck of Norazam and Azri Amri at the start of the tone. Azri Amri managed to pass Norazam in the first few opening laps, and we soon found P.Y.Tang attacking Norazam in the infield. Half way through, while Azri Amri was maintaining the lead, there was a small contact between Norazam and Azri Amri, allowing P.Y.Tang to move into 2nd position.

With the advantage of fresh rubber P.Y.Tang was pressuring Norazam for the rest of the 3 minutes but could not find an opening with Norazam closing up every single driving line that he could. Norazam finished Final A2 at the top taking 1st overall. P.Y.Tang finished 2nd and Azri Amri finished 3rd in Final A2.

With the remaining two podium spots still up for grabs, it would be an exciting Final A3 between Azri Amri, P.Y.Tang and Jackie Siow. At the tone, Norazam and Azri Amri took up the first two positions, but at the first corner P.Y.Tang found himself down in the pack after a small contact from the back by Jackie Siow, causing P.Y.Tang’s bodyshell to get stuck in the tires. P.Y.Tang tried to regain his position but the leaders were too far ahead, denying him a podium spot at his first MNC trip. Norazam went on to win the Final A3.

Final Top Standings (ProStock 11.5T):
1. Norazam
2. Azri Amri
3. Jackie Siow XRAY T3
4. P.Y.Tang XRAY T3

5. Michael Lo
6. Ken Ng XRAY T3
7. Zuki
8. Shahrin
9. James Ki XRAY T3
10. Jonest