Jazeman and Co falter due to machine failure

SEPANG: Hopes of seeing an all-Malaysian trio of Jazeman Jaafar ( pic), Weiron Tan and Afiq Ikhwan Yazid winning their home race were dashed in the final 15 minutes by mechanical failure in Round 4 of the Asian Le Mans Series.

The team’s Oreca 05 Nissan machine stalled in the pit lane during their final pit stop while running in second place behind Jackie Chan DC Racing X Jota in the final round at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday.

It’s a big disappointment for the trio after winning the third round in Buriram, Thailand, last month.

Jackie Chan DC Racing X Jota’s Stephane Richelmi of Monaco, Harrison Newey of Britain and Thomas Laurent of France won the four-hour endurance race, completing 117 laps around the 5,543m track under scorching heat in 4’02:06.258.

The victory secured the overall title for the LMP2 class and an automatic ticket to the prestigious Le Mans 24-Hour Race, which will be held in June.

BBT, comprising China’s Anthony Xu Liu, Italian Davide Rizzo and Brazilian Pipo Derani, took second place in their Ligier JS P2 machine.

Starting from pole position courtesy of Malaysian Nabil Jeffri’s sensational qualifying time, Eurasia Motorsports took third place with a total time of 4’03:12.451.

“I’m happy to bring home a podium considering my limited track time in an endurance racing car. I did well in qualifying but it’s a long race and

a team effort nevertheless,” said Nabil.

“I’m pleased to achieve what the Sepang management set for me to be the top Malaysian finisher but my goal is still to try to continue single seater racing,” he said.