Double Top For Dilantha Malagamuwa In Sepang

Sri Lanka’s Dilantha Malagamuwa Takes a Double Victory in Rounds 3 and 4 of the Aston Martin Asia Cup.

Scorching hot weather greeted the drivers of the Aston Martin Asia Cup when they arrived in Malaysia for the third
and fourth rounds of the 2009 series.

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.

AMAC Round 3 Review
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.

Aston Martin Asia Cup, Round 3, Sepang Result
Pos. No. Driver Country Best time Total Time Laps
1 6 Dilantha Malagamuwa, Dilango Racing Sri Lanka 2.22.320 35.51.660 15
2 51 Tunku Hammam Malaysia 2.22.353 35.55.801 15
3 69 Mel Choo, ThunderAsia Racing Singapore 2.22.347 35.59.920 15
4 64 Jean-Marc Merlin France 2.23.606 36.17.229 15
5 36 K L Lim Singapore 2.23.945 36.31.945 15
6 11 Stewart Seatter Scotland 2.24.123 36.41.806 15

AMAC Round 4 Review
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.

Aston Martin Asia Cup, Round 4, Sepang Result
Pos. No. Driver Country Best Time Total Time Laps
1 6 Dilantha Malagamuwa, Dilango Racing Sri Lanka 2.21.671 35.38.694 15
2 69 Mel Choo, ThunderAsia Racing Singapore 2.21.840 35.54.401 15
3 64 Jean-Marc Merlin France 2.22.655 35.55.920 15
4 33 Mark Williamson, ConcordEnergy Racing Australia 2.22.134 36.11.247 15
5 11 Stewart Seatter Scotland 2.23.031 36.19.812 15
6 23 Simon Waters, ConcordEnergy Racing Australia 2.23.731 36.41.312 15

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.
The series can be followed at www.astonmartin-asiacup.com

Comments

• dilan silva

  yes yes come onnnnnnnnnnn. sir nice job keep it up my hero

  god bless you

  i think u can do more than this.... ok?????