Piston Project, a newly-formed race team, joined forces with Pulzar Malaysia in an impressive collaboration that marked their debut at the Malaysia Championship Series 2023 Round 2. The event witnessed an extraordinary display of skill and determination from the Piston Project team as they competed with three cars across multiple categories.
In the MTC category, the team’s Honda Fit GK5, car #5, was driven by the talented duo of Vera Teh and Gladys Lam. The SP2V category saw the participation of two Suzuki Swift Zc32s, car #28 driven by Roni Risman and Hugo Chai, and car #88 driven by Shafiq Samsudin and Nadzrie Shuhaimi.
Amidst fierce competition, with a total of 54 entries across four categories, Piston Project by Pulzar stood out as the only team to have a car driven by two female drivers. This inclusion showcased their commitment to diversity and empowerment within the motorsports industry.
Race 1, held on Saturday, presented challenging conditions as heavy rain forced the officials to declare it a wet race. After a 25-minute interruption, the race resumed. Despite the unpredictable weather, the determined team’s car #5, driven by Vera Teh and Gladys Lam, claimed the chequered flag in the MTC category, bringing the car home safely. Unfortunately, car #28 encountered an accident and had to retire just after three laps. However, the team’s car #88, skilfully driven by Shafiq Samsudin and Nadzrie Suhaimi, secured an impressive 3rd place finish in the SP2V category.
Race 2 took place on a scorching Sunday, with track temperatures soaring above 40 degrees. Car #5 showcased a brilliant start, climbing up from 9th place to an impressive 5th position. However, after the mandatory pit stop, they faced setbacks and ultimately finished in 9th place. Despite missing out on a podium finish, the remarkable performance of the two female drivers drew admiration from all, as their lap times continued to improve, showcasing their rapid progression in their first Malaysia Championship Series race.
Car #28, despite facing adversity after the accident in race 1, exemplified the team’s resilience. The dedicated crew worked tirelessly overnight to prepare the car for race 2. Unfortunately, further mechanical issues forced them to pit during the safety car release. Nevertheless, with swift repairs, Roni Risman re-joined the race and fought hard for a better position. After the mandatory pit stop and a driver change to Hugo Chai, car #28 overcame the odds to secure an impressive 6th place finish in the SP2V category.
Car #88 exhibited exceptional performance in race 1, finishing in 3rd place. In race 2, Shafiq Samsudin, the first driver in the car, fought valiantly and climbed to an astonishing 1st place. However, luck was not on their side, as mechanical failure forced the team to retire the car, hindering their chances of a podium finish.
The Piston Project by Pulzar demonstrated tremendous skill, determination, and teamwork throughout the Malaysia Championship Series 2023 Round 2. Their commitment to excellence and their relentless pursuit of success serve as a testament to the team’s capabilities. The entire Piston Project team remains motivated and determined to continue pushing boundaries in the world of motorsports.
