PCCA Rounds 3 & 4 - Sepang, Malaysia
(Asian Festival of Speed - 13-14th May 2006)
 

Thanks to Charles Chan from Create Images for the excellent photographs!

Matthew celebrates three years with GR Asia team with two podium finishes in Gates car!

Matthew enjoyed his third anniversary of racing for Tim Huxley's GR Asia team with two podium finishes on the Sepang Grand Prix circuit. As at the Malaysian Grand Prix in March, the 2004 Carrera Cup Asia champion was racing with the support of Gates -  the world's largest manufacturer of belts and hoses for automotive engines. Matthew finished third in the first race and took second place later in the day - after leading eight of the ten laps. He now lies third in the points standings. 

Tim Huxley made a rare visit to a motor race and was joined by a group of supporters from Gates including legendary photographer Hugh van Es. Matthew was also bolstered by the presence of his old friend Ian Haynes-Bowers, who had attended Matthew's first race back in 1987 - and all the significant ones since. Ian flew in from the Middle East to operate the pit-signalling board. 

There are now seven drivers who look like winning Carrera Cup Asia races – and all of them have appeared on the podium in the first four races! Certainly the three new Japanese drivers (Keita Sawa, Shinichi Imaji, Kazuyuki Nishizawa) have added an extra dimension to the series. Darryl O'Young continues to be the pace-setter, working closely with his engineer Sven Schnabl who came to Sepang following his team's victory in the Carrera Cup Germany and at the FIA GT race at Silverstone. Thai veteran Nattavude is always quick and Nigel Albon is making good use of his experience.

Round two winner Shinichi Yamaji took pole position in qualifying (2:11.360) following by Darryl (2:11.555), Sawa (2:11.711) and Matthew (2.12.384).

Sunday’s first race was eventful. Darryl took the lead from Yamaji into the first turn and then repeated his Round One trick of disappearing into the distance and setting fastest race lap on the way to the chequered flag. Matthew followed Yamaji and Sawa closely but with no real opportunity to overtake until the very last corner when the two collided. With Yamaji flicked off the track Matthew pick-up what Tim Huxley referred to as a, “jammy podium!” 

Unfortunately for Keita Sawa he was to receive a ten-place penalty for the start of Round Four – elevating Matthew to the front-row alongside Darryl. Matthew then copied Darryl’s starting tactic and took the lead into turn one.

The Gates GR Asia team now lies third in the Carrera Cup Asia series with the leader board as follows:

1. Darryl O’Young          74 points
2. Shinichi Yamaji          62 points
3. Matthew Marsh           60 points
4. Nigel Albon                 54 points
5. C. Nattavude               57 points
6. Kazuyuki Nishizawa   44 points

Photographs courtesy of Charles Chan - www.createimages.com.hk