KUCHING: After making his debut appearance in the Malaysian Super Series by competing in the Touring Car Series in Asia (TCSA) race at the Sepang International Circuit last month, Freddy Lawan is back on the winners podium again.
The international go-kart racer from Sarawak came from behind to finish fourth in the Rotamax DD2 Veteran category of the Asia Max Challenge Round 5 with a time of 17:04.056s in a field of 22 with the Masters and Senior participants.
Malaysia’s Raymond Kong Chun Keat was the champion while runner-up and third place went to Lee Lung Nien and Chua Peng Chew who are both from Singapore.
Finishing in fifth place in the 20-lap race was Leon Khoo also from Singapore.
Following an eight-month absence from go-kart racing, Freddy is pretty pleased with his comeback effort, saying that he was just giving it a try to see how he would fare on the Sepang Kart Circuit.
“I was doing quite well even though I was not very well prepared and using my old engine.
“My time was quite good, dipping below 54 seconds per lap and I finished second in the pre-final.”
Skillwise, Freddy said he had not gotten ‘rusty’ but he was having a minor problem with his stamina and not his hip after a replacement surgery in February this year.
“It was very hot in Sepang and I had a stiff neck due to the pressure from the G-force when manoeuvring the sharp bends and corners,” he said.
In preparation for a total comeback, Freddy said he would have to work and train very hard to get his fitness in top condition for next year’s challenge in the AMC-RMC.
But before he embarks on that quest, he will race again in the Malaysian Super Series Cars at the Sepang race track from Oct 30 to Nov 2.
Also taking part in this race will be fellow Sarawakian Tony Teo who is ranked among the top three in his category.