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The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport 2007/08 title race is hotting up, despite just two of 10 rounds having been held so far this season. After a five week break, the thrilling championship heads east to Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit near Kuala Lumpur for the third round of the season on 23-25 November, as 22 nations prepare to recommence their on-track battles.
As the series celebrates its 50th ever race on Sunday afternoon, championship defender Germany take on a new driver in Michael Ammermüller while Switzerland demonstrate the growing role of women in motorsport by naming Rahel Frey as its rookie for the weekend. When she takes to the track on Friday, the 21-year-old will become the fifth female to drive an A1GP car during a race weekend.
Home nation Malaysia’s Alex Yoong is the most experienced driver in A1GP and, despite a tough start to the season, the 31-year-old from Kuala Lumpur remains upbeat about his team’s chances at his home race. Malaysian rookie Aaron Lim, who knows the Sepang circuit well, will get his first taste of his home circuit in an A1GP car when he takes to the track this weekend.
Current championship leader New Zealand will have its sights firmly set on extending its one-point advantage over South Africa while Oliver Jarvis will be aiming to keep Great Britain, currently lying third, in title contention. Jarvis will arrive in Malaysia fresh from taking a dominant victory at the Macau F3 Grand Prix. A1 Team China was also present in Macau as both CongFu (Franky) Cheng and YinKin (Marchy) Lee were on hand to perform demonstration laps in the Chinese car to promote the fourth round of the A1GP season at Zhuhai.
Emerson Fittipaldi, A1 Team Brazil seat holder:
‘It is great to be going back to Malaysia for the third year running. The race has proved a traditional event in our calendar, and it is a magnificent track that all the drivers enjoy. A1GP has had a lot of good news recently, and it seems appropriate that we go to one of the first tracks we visited when A1GP began to celebrate our 50th race on Sunday afternoon. I am looking forward to it being a very enjoyable weekend. ’
Michael Ammermüller, A1 Team Germany:
‘It’s extra motivation to start for the defending champions. Even though I’ve never driven at this interesting circuit I want to show that I earned this seat by getting a good result in Malaysia. I’m up against a lot of good drivers. I know some of them already from other series. It’s a great challenge. ’
Rahel Frey, A1 Team Switzerland:
‘I am determined to make this weekend a positive one. My goal eventually is to become the first female driver to win in this series, just as I did in Formula Renault 2000 at Dijon in 2004. I am not afraid of the challenge of the rookie session to learn the new car and track very quickly in what will probably be very difficult weather conditions. I can’t wait to meet the team again and to continue the work that we completed at the Silverstone test. ’
