Nazrie Ramli Wins PanGlobal Alex Yoong F1 Driver Search Title

The 2005 Champion, Nazrie Ramli...(click image to enlarge) - Photo from Max Revson
The Class of 2005 ...(click image to enlarge) - Photo from Max Revson
At the top-5 podium with the VIPs...(click image to enlarge) - Photo from Max Revson
At the chequered flag...(click image to enlarge) - Photo frm Max Revson

from Terengganu's Mohd Zurairi and Syazril Amri

Twenty-six year old Nazrie Ramli was dominant amongst the 40 grand finalists in yesterday's PanGlobal Alex Yoong F1 Driver Search Grand Finals held in the Sepang International Kart Circuit as he won with ease from second on the grid to snatch the 2005 crown from second finisher Mohd Zurairi Mohd Nasir from Terengganu and Syazril Amri Abd Rahman.

He was unperturbed when he had a dissasterous qualifying which placed him seventh on the grid for his pre-final race which meant he had to climb to at least second to qualify for the final race. This he did and he proceeded to the final race where he fought out an initially tough battle in the first three laps of the eight-lap final race to finally overtake pole sitter Syazril on lap 4.

Terengganu boy, 21 year old Zurairi had an inspired final race as he managed to fight through the field from 6th on the grid to second. Raja Mardiah Idris, 24, one of only two lady grand finalists to get into the final race of the day also did very well to finish fourth from eighth on the grid. Md. Misbahudin Idrus Tam rounded off the top five podium finishers in the grand finals.

"It was a very tough race," said the newly crowned 2005 F1 Driver Search champion, Nazrie. "I had taken this very seriously and had been in training for the last two months. It has now paid off and I'm really looking forward to the Formula BMW test."

First runner-up Zurairi who was one of four Terengganu residents who made it to the grand finals became the sole Terengganu representative after the pre-finals and he duly acknowledged the strong support from his home state saying, "I can hear the cheers from my friends and relatives from Terengganu who are here to support me. They have helped me to climb from 6th to second. This is my first time ever in the Sepang track and I am sure I could have done better if I had trained here. But second is fantastic for me."

Third finisher, Syazril was disappointed with third as he said, "To finish third after getting pole for the final race is disappointing. I however enjoyed the competition very much and I hope to get the second spot of that Formula BMW test drive."

A large crowd had turned up to watch the grand finals yesterday. They were treated with a huge load of exciting action from all the races from the 40 grand finalists as well as from an entertaining display of advance and stunt driving from the Lotus Club, courtesy of Lotus Asia Pacific. Malaysia A1 team owner, Alex Yoong and former GP Bike racer Oh Kah Beng and Lotus Club members took time off to give members of the enthusiastic crowd exciting rides in the Lotuses.

PanGlobal Insurance Bhd.'s senior manager, N. Sharmila was at hand to give away the prizes with Alex and MMOCA's president Ahmad Awang. Sharmila announced, "PanGlobal Insurance are extremely appreciative of all the spectators' and racers' support for the series. We take this opportunity to announce a continuation of the Driver-Search programme with the A1 Driver Search for next year."

End

GRAND FINAL RACE RESULTS

Pos./Kart No./Driver/Laps/Best Lap/On Lap/Total Time

1 2 Nazrie Ramli 8 01:06.35 8m 59.52

2 6 Mohd Zurairi Mohd Nasir 8 01:06.26 +1.21s

3 3 Syazril Amri Abdul Rahman 8 01:06.96 +1.80s

4 8 Raja Mardiah Idris (Ms.) 8 01:05.86 +1.96s

5 9 Md. Misbahudin Idrus Tam 8 01:06.06 +2.01s

6 5 Nevsky Chin Wai Leong 8 01:06.54 +5.81s

7 1 Thomas Ong 8 01:06.75 +7.15s

8 10 Mohd Nazri Ng b. Mohd Ng 8 01:06.36 +7.25s

9 7 Ramzul Zai b Zainudin 8 01:07.57 +16.64s

10 4 Abd Razak Abd Halim 8 01:08.02 +1 lap