PICCA Rounds 2 & 3 - Sepang, Malaysia
(AFOS Event - 14-15th May 2005)

Disappointing Results in Malaysia

There had to come a time, said my race engineer Matt Liddy after qualifying, when we didn’t start on the front row. The fifth place starting position was my worst for a whole year. Since July of 2004 we had started every Carrera Cup Asia race on the front row.

Similarly there had to come a time when we didn’t finish on the podium. A good start in the first race had elevated me to third place with two laps to run. Sadly I managed to snatch failure from the jaws of success and slip to fourth place after missing a gear.

Another good start in race two (round three) saw me in second place at one point. My lack of ultimate pace dropped me slowly back to fifth place by the finish. At least this time I managed to avoid missing a gear.

The lack of pace at Sepang was bemusing. We were racing this time on what is known as the North circuit - essentially the first half of the Grand Prix track. I seemed to lose time in the short cut which connects turn six with the pit straight.

The poor results have dropped us to fourth in the points standings. Perhaps a little too much confidence, perhaps the field is now too competitive to allow anything other than a 100-percent performance. Either way we now look forward to rounds four and five in June with renewed determination.

Results - Round 2:
1. Cocker
2. Inthraphuvasak
3. Nattavude
4. Marsh
5. Ramli

Results - Round 3:
1. Nattavude
2. Inthraphuvasak
3. Cocker
4. O’Young
5. Marsh