SIC TO MAKE 2006 MERDEKA RACE THE BIGGEST EVER TEAMCAR - Back with a midnight start and offering increased prize money for the winners, Sepang International Circuit is ready to make the eighth edition of the 12-hour Merdeka Millennium Endurance race its biggest ever.

As early as May, registration for entries had poured in and the 2006 Merdeka Millennium Endurance race is certain to have another full entry of 77 starters as it had been since its second edition in 2001. The maiden race in 2000 had 52 entries.

"It looks like that we would be getting more than 77 cars again. So, again, the actual starting grid will depend on the team's qualifying. My best wishes to all of our competitors," says Datuk Ahmad Mustafa, General Manager of Sepang International Circuit.

While noting that the increased prize money was a factor for the overwhelming response, Ahmad believed the bigger pull for the competitors was due to the growing prestige and popularity of the event, which is hailed as Asia's Biggest Race with the participation of more than 300 drivers and 1,000 crew members and team personnel.

Internationally popular with competitors coming from as far as Japan, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia, each car will have three drivers who will compete to complete as many laps as possible around the 5.543-km F1 circuit within the 12-hour period.

Featuring GT driver Genji Hashimoto, Australian Tony Riccirdello and Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel, Team Amprex Motorsports Proton R3 won the race last year after completing 279 laps; narrowly beating defending champions Eddie Lew, Farriz Fauzy and Hiroki Katoh of Honda Malaysia Racing Team, which completed one lap less with 278 laps.  ¶ 2:20 PM