MME 2004 - Unsuccessful year

The driver line-up for MME 2004 was Cassim Hanef, Azlan and Kenny. Muzamil’s absence to partake in the competition was due to poor health. According to the Team Manager, the last minute preparation had lead them to suffer from mechanical problems wherein they experience overflowing engine oil throughout the race. Nonetheless, despite the crisis the team still finished the race at 15^th place (Class C).

MME 2003 - Another Victory and Air Asia

The third appearance was made in 2003 where the team had received a major sponsorship from Asia’s leading and largest low cost carrier, Air Asia Berhad. A roadshow was held by Air Asia at the Sungei Wang Plaza to introduce the team to the public prior to the race wherein it was joined by a few local artists namely Ning Baizura, Fadzley, Hazami, Deja Moss, Ani Mayuni, Syikin and Datin Sheril Aida and hosted by Azhar Sulaiman dan Red 104.9 radio DJ, KC Ismail.

Driving the same humble car again, the 1.6 Toyota Corolla SEG (now painted red) and with the help from an extended number of crews, the team once again emerged 3rd in its Class but this time, the cousins completed the race with driver Khaidi Kamaruddin’s involvement replacing the initial driver, Adian Yein Khalid. The team was left behind by 1.04 seconds due to the problem they had with the broken exhaust mounting at the final hour of the 12-hour race.

Drivers and their winnings

Climbing the podium for the second time

Lining up

Assiduous crew

Sharing the joy

With some of the artistes at the roadshow

MME 2002 - First Win

They made a comeback in the subsequent year with the same set of drivers and loyal crews. Rizal once again lead the team and what started as fun turned into leading the team to a victory when they were announced as the 3rd place in Class C category and 15^th in the overall category of the MME 2001, driving the 1.6 Toyota Corolla SEG.

A similar standard engine set up was once again being tailored by Muzamil and his team of mechanics. No sponsors for the guys this time. The only contribution they received was their mothers’ sandwiches, bihun goreng and nasi lemak. The cash prize of RM5,000 was used to pay off the costs of preparing the car, injected by the drivers prior to the race.

Learning from their previous experience, Rizal planned for more efficient pit stops and it worked out well. If it weren’t for the accidents they had at Turn 1 and Turn 10 at the track, the team would have achieved a better result as Muzamil was leading in the Class C category before he had the accident at Turn 10. Nonetheless, it was a fantastic achievement considering the competition against very experienced drivers.

From then on the cousins decided to make MME an annual event for the team. No limited funds and workforce will stop these guys from taking part and performing well.

The Team in the earlier days

Its second act

MME 2001 - The Debut

Making their debut with only less than 10 members and a very limited budget in the in the 12-hour endurance race in 2001, the cousins joined by another driver, William Chong under the management of their friend and Team Manager Rizal Abd Rashid, finished 8^th in the overall Class C category.

Muzamil who enjoys working on his car engine ever since he got the 1.6 Toyota Corolla SEG in 1996 was responsible in preparing the engine for the MME, emphasizing on the brakes, suspensions and getting the car lighter with the help from their personal mechanics. He even went all the way to Hong Kong and return on the very same day to get parts for their car. That was how passionate these guys were, willing to go the extra mile for their fast car. Approached by an agent for small sponsorship to aid their team financially, they went for it without any hesitation. This time the cousins pretty much have to stick to the standard engine set up due to SIC rules in contrast to a more flexible race at Batu Tiga.

Being involved for the first time in such event, the team lost a lot of time on account of the pit stops they made throughout the race. The problem of not being equipped with a fuel catch tank resulted in some fuel surge problems during the second half of the race was another difficulty they faced. Nonetheless, despite all the challenges, they still manage to complete the race among the Top 10 in the Class C category.

Making its first appearance

Front profile of THE Toyota Corolla SEG

How it started

It all started circa 1999 when Muzamil drove all the way from JB to meet up with his cousin Cassim for their regular Saturday Night races at the Batu Tiga track, where racing avids were able to quench their adrenaline thirst by making 5 hot laps in their road cars.

It was when Muzamil first heard that Sepang International Circuit (“SIC”) was having the very first Merdeka Millennium Endurance ("MME") Race in year 2000 that he had the bold idea of transforming the 1.6 Toyota Corolla SEG he owned (and in which he drove to work every day) into a racing machine for real. Sharing this idea with his then 26 year-old cousin, Cassim couldn’t be any happier as he has always dreamt of driving in the fast lane without having to sacrifice his own ride. It was merely an idea that they kept secret from their parents and started putting their heads together for the preparation and racing strategy to turn their dream into a reality. They recruited their brothers, cousins and friends and formed their very own team.