HiRev Dream Chaser Wins Inaugural Sepang 1,000 KM Title

HiRev Dream Chaser ended its decade-long wait by clinching its inaugural Sepang 1,000 KM title last weekend.

HiRev Dream Chaser ended their decade-long victory drought last weekend, as the racing team clinched their inaugural Sepang 1,000 KM (S1K) title in this year’s edition. Despite facing various issues throughout the race, the team has managed to put up a surprise against some big names and officially-backed teams along the way.

Piloting the team’s MTC-class Suzuki Swift Sport race car to victory was Hayden Haikal, Rahul Mayer, and Daim Hishammudin, where the trio claimed the chequered flag in eight hours, 14 minutes, and 25.9 seconds, covering a total of 181 laps under the Petronas Sepang International Circuit floodlights.

Coming in second place was the Wing Hin Motorsport racing team with their Toyota Yaris MTC, who trailed behind the winner by two minutes and 38 seconds, while Tedco Racing’s Honda Fit MTC completed the podium by finishing a lap behind the winner. Meanwhile, HiRev Dream Chaser’s second entrant, in the form of a Honda City Hatchback, clinched fourth place with a total of 173 laps under its belt.

Apart from a slew of privateers, this year’s S1K also featured several manufacturer-backed outfits, including Honda Malaysia Racing Team (HMRT) with their Honda City Hatchback, Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia (TGRM) with their Toyota Vios, as well as the famed Proton R3 team, who outfitted their spanking new Proton S70 R3 racecar for the first time ever.

Despite leading the race in the earlier parts, HMRT was forced to retire their car due to technical issues, while both the S70 R3s were also forced to retire due to earlier accidents that occurred to car #81 and technical issues on car #82. Also suffering from technical issues was the TGRM’s #37 Vios, as the car was forced to pit on the 112th lap, and the mechanics only managed to get the car back on the track near the end of the race.

Commenting on this triumphant win, HiRev Dream Chaser team principal CY Ong told NST, "It feels surreal to win it after 10 long years of trying. We finished second and third a few times before, so to finally take the win means a lot to the whole team."

Prior to this victory, the HiRev Dream Chaser outfit finished second overall at last year’s S1K edition, with the Wing Hin Motorsport team clinching the win, while TGRM completed the podium with renowned drift racer Tengku Djan Ley at the helm.

Photo credit: HIREV Dream Chaser & Sepang Circuit