Johor Sultan's fourth son to make race debut at first leg of 2019 Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia
MOTORSPORT
Saturday, 9 Mar 20199:41 PM MYT
by mohd farhaan shah
JOHOR BARU: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar's fourth son, Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, will be making his debut as a race driver at the 2019 Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia series.
The series will be held on April 6 and 7 at the Sepang International Circuit.
The Tunku Panglima Johor will race in a Mercedes Benz AMG GT3 for Johor Motorsports Racing, managed by Australian outfit Triple Eight Race Engineering.
Partnering him will be fellow Johorean and Malaysian racing ace, Jazeman Jaafar.
Tunku Abdul Rahman, unveiled his team car, which depicts striking Johor livery on its side, at a glittering ceremony at Dataran Bandaraya here Saturday (March 9) night.
Sultan Ibrahim officiated at the launch, which was also attended by Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah.
Tunku Abdul said he was excited and looking forward to doing his best in the series and thankful for the support he received from his family.
“I am also very proud of this moment as my late grandfather, Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail, was an avid racer too, winning the 1960 Johor GP, also in a Mercedes,” he added.
He said it felt good to be racing for Triple Eight, the most successful racing outfit in Australia, with Jazeman beside him.
Meanwhile, Jazeman said he was proud to have Tunku Abdul Rahman as his teammate and could not wait for the season to get underway.
“I have raced in the Mercedes AMG GT3 before in 2016 when I finished as vice-champion Blancpain Endurance series.
“It feels good to be back driving in a competitive car that I have spent a lot of time in and gotten good results. I do feel we have a competitive package coming into this season,” he added.
They would be joined by experienced European Blancpain GT champion, Shane Van Gisbergen.
The 2019 Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia is an auto racing series for GT3- and GT4-spec cars.
The season will be run over six race weekends consisting of two one-hour races each.
The first four rounds will be held in Sepang before moving to Buriram in Thailand (May 11-12), Suzuka (June 22-23) and Fuji (July 6-7) in Japan.
The Korea International Circuit in Yeongnam will host round five on Aug 3 and 4 while Shanghai would close the season with races on September 27 and 28.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/motorsport/2019/03/09/fourth-son-of-johor-sultan-to-make-race-debut-at-first-leg-of-2019-blancpain-gt-world-challenge-asia/#p3FQgwr12QsvKw0L.99
