Jeroen Bleekemolen: “I see no reason why we should be off the pace at Sepang”
Nov 22, 2007
A1 Team Netherlands
After a break of little over a month A1GP visits the Sepang circuit in Malaysia for the third year running. Here the third race of the 2007/08 season will be held.
After the good performance at the first two European races this season, where the team managed to take two podium finishes, A1 Team Netherlands sets out this weekend to mantain or even improve their form.
At last year’s race on the 5.54 km track just outside the Malaysian capitol Kuala Lumpur the team struggled at the start of the weekend and also suffered mechanical failure as the Zytek V8 only ran on seven cylinders. But this did not stop Jeroen Bleekemolen in fighting his way to points. This year the goal is to compete in front though. A1 Team Netherlands currently shares third with Great Britain and is only six points behind the leader in the Championship.
Jeroen Bleekemolen cannot wait to get into the A1GP car again. “Finally we can go out and race again. I missed A1GP terribly the past few weeks. It always is a nice feeling being able to defend your country’s honour in this fantastic series. This weekend I do want to move up in the championship. The best way to do this is by winning, so that’s the goal. The team improved the car more and more and I see no reason why we should be off the pace at Sepang. The race itself is one of the heaviest because of the heat, but normally I can cope quite well, so bring it on! It is a nice circuit, with both fast and slower corners. Rain is always a possibility here, we are in the middle of the rain season. There should be plenty of action. ”
For Arie Luyendyk jr Sepang again is a new track and at the same time he will experience the heat and humidity of Malaysia for the first time; “Well we are finally at our next event and I am enjoying the experience of being in Malaysia. I have never been this far away from home and I’m learning to adapt to the hot and humid climate. I’m new to the Sepang Circuit and I hope to give Team Netherlands some good feedback during the Friday rookie sessions. I don’t know if all those laps on X-Box will help but I’m definitely eager to find out! From the data and the footage I have seen of the facility it looks like an amazing circuit and I am eager to take to the track.
he 5.54 km Sepang circuit is one of the longest tracks in the A1GP season. The track is very wide so overtaking should be well possible. The weather can come into play, it is the rain season in Malaysia and almost every day there are one or more downpours which can soak the track completely in no time at all.
