PETRONAS Formula Xperience Racing School
Season 2007 – Fith Training Session (First School Race Event)
Sepang International Circuit (North Track)
9 to 11 November 2007

Session 5 Report: PFX Season 2007 drivers participate in first school race

Sepang, 12 November 2007 – After successfully concluding four training sessions, the second intake in the 2007 season of the PETRONAS Formula Xperience racing school returned to the Sepang International Circuit to participate in their very first school race of the season on the 10th and 11th of November. Coming out tops in the season’s first school race was 18-year old Dominic Ang who dominated the weekend after adding two race wins to his pole position after the one-lap qualifying and topping the time sheets in the qualifying session on Saturday.

Also finishing on the podium for their first school race event were Ammirol Mahmud and Muhammad Shafiq Aziz, both finishing second and third, respectively in both races.

Featuring a change in the format from last season, the three-day school race event programme commenced with a regular school programme which saw the drivers continue both their classroom and practical training on Friday. The theoretical session focused on the car's ride height and anti-roll bar setup, designed to help strengthen and improve the drivers’ technical understanding.

The training also included additional training to help familiarise the drivers with the relevant sporting codes and race procedures, through on-track simulated practice starts and safety car procedures. The drivers also had to undergo more fitness training to further enhance their endurance and fitness levels, in preparation for the school races.

Dominic Ang (18 years), PFX Racing School Season 2007 driver, winner (race 1 and 2):
“To be honest it was quite an experience for me, coming into this weekend. My focus was more on improving my driving style, adapting and applying everything the instructors had taught us to improve my times. Both races were a lot of fun, although I was a little bit nervous in the beginning. After a while, the pace settled and I could concentrate better. I am really delighted with this result and I hope I can continue the momentum into the next race, which will take place as a support event to the A1 GP.”

Ammirol Ahmad Mahmud (18 years), PFX Racing School Season 2007 driver, 2nd (race 1 and 2)
"I was actually quite nervous at the start, especially as this was our first school race! I did not know what to expect, as I was trying to process all the information and put everything we learned so far into a proper race situation. Once the race started, it was actually quite fun! There were a lot of incidents, but I had to try to keep my focus and I am glad that I managed to finish both school races on the podium!"

Muhammad Shafiq Abdul Aziz (17 years), PFX Racing School Season 2007 driver, 3rd (race 1 and 2)
"For my first school race, I think I am quite pleased to finish third and make it to the podium twice in one weekend! It felt good to be up there! Although I know I could have done a lot better especially after the spin cost me in the second race which dropped me down to third, I am happy with my pace. For sure, this will definitely motivate me to do better in the next school race."

The second school race event in the 2007 season of the PETRONAS Formula Xperience racing school will take place as one of the support events to the Malaysian Super Series at the A1 Grand Prix of Nations, at Sepang from 23 to 25 November.