KUALA LUMPUR: After clinching a hat-trick of Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) titles, HI-REV Dream Chaser Racing Team are now eying their maiden victory in the Sepang 1000 kilometres (S1K) endurance race on Nov 21-23.
Dream Chaser will be fielding two cars in the MTC class for S1K - a Suzuki Swift piloted by Hayden Haikal, Rahul Mayer and Daim Hishammudin as well as a Honda City that will be driven by Lee Wai Cong, Fitra Eri as well as Aaron Haikal, who is Hayden's younger brother.
The Swift, which has won the MCS title three years in a row now (2022-2024), as well as the City will both run 1.6 litre engines with sequential gearboxes and use HI-REV lubricants.
Dream Chaser team principal CY Ong is hoping they can finally make their breakthrough after coming in second in S1K last year.
"We finished on the podium a number of times previously, including second last year, but have never been able to win S1K before," said CY when met yesterday.
"Based on our performances this season - touch wood - I think both cars have the potential to finish on the podium. But of course, winning it is the goal.
"Having said that, S1K is an endurance race which lasts roughly nine hours and anything can go wrong even if the car is prepared perfectly. Sometimes it's the weather and the track conditions, sometimes it's the driver."
Standing in their way are heavyweights Proton R3 who are making their S1K comeback this year after a five year hiatus.
Proton will be fielding two Campro-powered Proton S70s. The S70 is Proton's latest sedan.
CY is, however, relishing the challenge from the works team.
"We welcome Proton R3's comeback and welcome all factory teams to race, because that is how we elevate the sport here," said CY.
"When we race together we force each other to raise our games.
"Proton have been strong for so many years and have dominated S1K in the past. Of course, we will be watching them closely."
S1K, which made its debut in 2009, is currently the longest domestic car endurance race in Malaysia.
Proton won the race in 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019.