Malaysian outfit, TPC Team Qi-Meritus, had a sensational day at the track today when Kiwi Earl Bamber secured a runaway victory in the Formula V6 Asia Championship at the Sepang Circuit today. Success was even sweeter for the team when defending champion James Grunwell took the third spot on the podium.

 

Bamber, from second spot on the grid, did not have the best of starts but managed to stay close to leader Armaan Ebrahim. "There was a chance of taking him at Turn 1 but I just could not get past him …  I continued to pressure him (Armaan)," said Bamber.

 

After the safety car came out on the fifth lap, Armaan pulled up with what appeared to be some mechanical trouble and dropped out of contention. Bamber, 17, stormed away after the safety car went in and never looked until the end of the gruelling 35-lap race.

 

Bamber, fresh from his recent double victory in the Toyota Racing Series at Hamilton 400 street circuit in New Zealand, completed Round 2 of the Formula V6 Asia Championship in a time of 36 minutes 26.276 seconds.

 

Ishiah-Ro Charlez from Black Tara was over four seconds behind the winner at 36:30.535 while Grunwell was clocked at 36:30.822.

 

Grunwell, the individual drivers' champion last year, also finished third in the first round of the championship held here yesterday. The Thai driver had secured pole position yesterday but was unfortunate to start from the pit lane. And from last spot, Grunwell battled his way back to end up third.

 

"I tried to go past on the outside at the start but could not find a way through. Although the safety car was out, another diver passed me, and that should not have happened. After the safety car, I pushed hard all they way to get past Charlez but just could not," Grunwell said.

 

After two rounds, Bamber tops the standings with a total of 35 points while Grunwell is second 10 points off the leader. TPC Team Qi-Meritus leads the team championship.

 

In the Formula BMW Pacific Series, Japanese Ryuichi Nara won Round 7 with Marlon Stockinger coming second and Team Meritus driver, Chris Wootton, completing the podium.

 

Ryuichi led all the way and did a fine job holding the others for all 20 laps of the race. "It has been a great weekend for me," said a smiling Ryuichi.

 

Wootton said that it had been an exciting experience for him in his first weekend in Sepang. "It has been quite an eventful weekend for me, not quite as planned, but it turned out good. On today's race, I started 10^th but made my way through the field. The team set up a great car for me."

 

 

RESULTS

 

Formula V6 Asia (Round 2)

1.      Earl Bamber (NZ) TPC Team Qi-Meritus 36 minutes 26.276 seconds

2.      Isaiah-Ro Charlez (Mas) Team Taradtm 36:30.535

3.      James Grunwell (Tha) TPC Team Qi-Meritus 36:30.822

 

Formula BMW Pacific (Round 7)

1.      Ryuichi Nara (Jap) E-Rain 24:15.824

2.      Marlon Stockinger (Phi) Eurasia 24:16.428

3.      Chris Wootton (HK) Team Meritus 24:18.214