Super GT 2012 Round 3 to go green

The Super GT Racing Championship 2012 will embrace the green movement with the use of eco-friendly cars for the first time. The small step taken is helpful to preserving the environment.

The hybrid switch will occur at this year’s Super GT Round 3 series in Malaysia on June 9 and 10 at the Sepang International Circuit starting with the Toyota Prius GT300 which is equipped with a racing hybrid system, and from Round 4 onwards, the hybrid powered Honda CR-Z GT300 will also be joining the fray to reduce the environmental impact.

JPM Motorsport founder J.P. Chin said this at a press conference during the Super GT Queen Preview Showcase 2012 at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur on April 9, 2012. JPM Motorsport is the race organiser for the Malaysian round of the Super GT 2012 series.

“This year, in keeping with the global trend to become more environmentally friendly, we will, for the first time ever, see some green racing in the form of the Toyota Prius GT300 hybrid at the Sepang circuit battling it out with the rest of the GT300 contenders.

“The Honda CRZ GT300 hybrid will make its appearance from Round 4 onwards. This demonstrates the technological advancement leadership being presented by the Super GT race series.”

Malaysia is the only other nation to host the Super GT race outside of its home turf, Japan and the event is expected to attract about 50,000 attendees a day, of which close to 6,000 foreign visitors are from Asian nations and beyond.

There will be a special bus service to ferry fans from KL Sentral to Sepang International Circuit on race weekend.

Chin said that in keeping with the fast-paced excitement of the day, this year will also see the return of the cashless event, successfully implemented at last year’s inauguration, where all transactions will be done using the Touch ‘n Go electronic payment card. The special edition of the Super GT Touch ‘n Go card in four designs will be on sale during the event.

Japan GT Association president Masaaki Bandoh said: “I am certain the Super GT Round 3 in Malaysia will bring hot exciting competition in both classes by Japan’s top teams and drivers, so I hope as many people as possible will come to Sepang circuit to experience the thrills of Super GT action live.”

Guests were treated to a welcome cocktail party and activities held at the showcase included the Super GT Queen Search 2012 second audition, dance performances by Super GT Malaysian Queen 2011 Lu Shan, drum performances by young children and certificates of appreciation to partners and sponsors.

The Super GT Queen 2102 is presented by Engine Up, an engine oil product. Six Engine Up ambassadors made a special guest appearance and interacted with everyone at the event.

This time around there were more contestants trying their luck at the second audition for the Super GT Malaysian Queen Search 2012.

Seventeen young ladies participated in the queen-search where they had to walk down the mini catwalk and answered questions at the live audition in front of the panel of judges such as former Miss Malaysia finalist and model Leng Yein, JPM Motorsport project manager from Japan Satora Tsuyama, Simone Model Studio founder and professional catwalk trainer Simone Teh, actress and television host Lavin Seow and Louis Whitney of Oriks Malaysia.

The judges will shortlist the top 12, including those from the first audition held last March, who will go through the grand finale on June 9 on race day at Sepang circuit.

There will be a host of off-track sideshows clustered together with the weekend race. Some of the activities and features to draw spectators and fans to the event are :

–  Super GT Malaysian Queen Search 2012 grand finale.
–  Motorshow
–  Biggest Supercar and Performance Car Gathering in Malaysia.
–  BMX Challenge for the younger fans.
–  Akiba Town, a Japanese-style bazaar for lifestyle devices and cuisines.
–  Cultural show featuring traditional, modern and fusion dances.
–  Gran Turismo 5 Asia Online Tournament 2012 final by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE).