PETRONAS SYNTIUM TEAM TO RACE IN JAPAN’S SUPER TAIKYU ENDURANCE SERIES
PST Media, 12 January 2007
After two successful campaigns in the Asian Touring Car Championship (ATCC), the PETRONAS SYNTIUM TEAM will be taking part in the Super Taikyu Endurance Series in Japan from 2007. The announcement was made during the SYNTIUM lubricant launch at the Japan Auto Saloon Exhibition at the Makuhari Messe Conference centre.
Spearheading the PETRONAS SYNTIUM TEAM’s challenge in the highly regarded Japanese endurance series is 23-year old Malaysian driver Mohamad Fariqe Hairuman, runner-up in the 2006 Asian Touring Car Championship. Fariqe will be partnered by experienced Japanese Formula Nippon driver Masataka Yanagida. The 27-year old driver from Tokyo will draw from his vast competitive experience in a number of championships, including the infamous Japan Gran Tourismo, or GT series, Formula Nippon and the All-Japan F3 championship. Both drivers will be competing in the championship with the BMW Z4 M Coupe, which was also unveiled at the exhibition.
In addition to the driver line-up, the PETRONAS SYNTIUM TEAM will also feature a new management line up, which will include endurance racing veteran Gen Suzuki who will take up the role as Team Manager and Tetsuo Suzuki as Race Director.
David Wong, Team Principal:
”After two successful campaigns in the Asian Touring Car Championship following our return from the British Touring Car Championship, we feel the team is ready to take on a new and fresh challenge. Aside from being hugely popular in Japan, the Super Taikyu Endurance Series has an established a reputation for being highly competitive. Moreover, this will be the first time the BMW Z4 M Coupe will be seen racing in Asia, and it will be interesting to compete against the might of the Porsche GT3’s and Nissan 350ZX. We are very excited to have Masataka Yanagida on board to partner Fariqe Hairuman and although 2007 will be our maiden season, we are optimistic and look forward to being able to challenge some of the best drivers in Japan and from the region.”
Gen Suzuki, Team Manager:
“We are very excited and looking forward to start our 2007 campaign in this highly competitive series. The Super Taikyu Endurance Series has since 1999 featured some of the best drivers and cars as well as gaining popularity after replacing the Japan Touring Car Championship. It will be the ultimate test to our own performance, which will come down to the race preparation, teamwork, the car, the drivers and race strategy. The circuits we will be racing at are amongst the best in the world and the nice weather in Japan helps to bring in huge crowds to the races, in addition to drawing in the participation of some of the best drivers and best cars. It is a championship that features the widest variety of race cars into four different classes, so the odds are quite even between ll the teams.”
Fariqe Hairuman said,
“With my experience and exposure in the British Touring Car Championship, then the Asian Touring Car Championship, I hope I will be able to be as competitive in this new series. I still have a lot to learn and adapt to in this new series, but I am looking forward to this new challenge. To be able to have Masataka Yanagida as my teammate will also help me, as I will be able to learn from his vast racing experience.”
Masataka Yanagida comments,
“To be able to participate and race in the Super Taikyu Endurance Series in a BMW Z4 M Coupe is a dream as I am confident that it can challenge the likes of the Porsches, for instance. The team is already an established team, with experience in touring and endurance races and I am confident we can all put up a strong challenge!”
Engine Management System: BMW Motorsport ECU406 with two powerful microprocessors, Ethernet Interface and four CAN busses
Cylinder selective optimized Injection and Ignition
Pit-Speed-Limiter
Quick-Shift; Engine Log Book
Electronic Throttle Control
VANOS Control
ABS
Energy Management:
Distribution and Control of the electric energy through the BMW Motorsport POWER400 Control Unit
Networking of all Sensors and Actuators through a CAN Bus
Electric loom: Weight optimised
Ignition coils: Six high performance pencil-type ignition coils with integrated ignition driver
Sparkplugs: NGK high performance Sparkplugs
Instruments: Free programmable LCD Display with integrated shift lights
Steering-wheel: multiple function Steering-wheel with Quick-Release mechanism & display control
Length 4415mm
Width 1880mm
Wheelbase 2493mm
Front & Rear Overhang 865mm/774mm
Rear wing width 1504mm
Front & Rear Ground Clearance 80mm / 90mm
Front & Rear Tyres Michelin 27/65-18, 28/71-18
Front Brake Grey cast iron disc
diameter 380mm / 6 pot fixed calliper
Rear Brake Grey cast iron disc
Diameter 320mm / 4 pot fixed calliper
Driveline Sequential 6-speed gearbox, sintered clutch
Engine Layout Six cylinder in-line
Cylinder Capacity 3246 cc
Bore x Stroke 87 x 91 mm
Compression Ratio 12,5:1
Max Power 396 PS at 8200rpm (approximate)
Max Torque 400 Nm at approximately 5750 rpm (approximate)
Max Revolutions per minute 8400 rpm
Cylinder Block One-piece construction
Crankshaft Forged steel partPiston Forged slipper skirt piston
Con-rod Steel
Cylinder Head Aluminium, four valves per cylinder
Valve Train Two chain driver overhead camshafts with variable valve timing
Intake system Six single throttle valves
Carbon fibre airbox with resonance induction optimised inlet pipes
Exhaust system Multiple pipe manifold with silencer and catalytic converter
PST Media, 12 January 2007
After two successful campaigns in the Asian Touring Car Championship (ATCC), the PETRONAS SYNTIUM TEAM will be taking part in the Super Taikyu Endurance Series in Japan from 2007. The announcement was made during the SYNTIUM lubricant launch at the Japan Auto Saloon Exhibition at the Makuhari Messe Conference centre.
Spearheading the PETRONAS SYNTIUM TEAM’s challenge in the highly regarded Japanese endurance series is 23-year old Malaysian driver Mohamad Fariqe Hairuman, runner-up in the 2006 Asian Touring Car Championship. Fariqe will be partnered by experienced Japanese Formula Nippon driver Masataka Yanagida. The 27-year old driver from Tokyo will draw from his vast competitive experience in a number of championships, including the infamous Japan Gran Tourismo, or GT series, Formula Nippon and the All-Japan F3 championship. Both drivers will be competing in the championship with the BMW Z4 M Coupe, which was also unveiled at the exhibition.
In addition to the driver line-up, the PETRONAS SYNTIUM TEAM will also feature a new management line up, which will include endurance racing veteran Gen Suzuki who will take up the role as Team Manager and Tetsuo Suzuki as Race Director.
David Wong, Team Principal:
”After two successful campaigns in the Asian Touring Car Championship following our return from the British Touring Car Championship, we feel the team is ready to take on a new and fresh challenge. Aside from being hugely popular in Japan, the Super Taikyu Endurance Series has an established a reputation for being highly competitive. Moreover, this will be the first time the BMW Z4 M Coupe will be seen racing in Asia, and it will be interesting to compete against the might of the Porsche GT3’s and Nissan 350ZX. We are very excited to have Masataka Yanagida on board to partner Fariqe Hairuman and although 2007 will be our maiden season, we are optimistic and look forward to being able to challenge some of the best drivers in Japan and from the region.”
Gen Suzuki, Team Manager:
“We are very excited and looking forward to start our 2007 campaign in this highly competitive series. The Super Taikyu Endurance Series has since 1999 featured some of the best drivers and cars as well as gaining popularity after replacing the Japan Touring Car Championship. It will be the ultimate test to our own performance, which will come down to the race preparation, teamwork, the car, the drivers and race strategy. The circuits we will be racing at are amongst the best in the world and the nice weather in Japan helps to bring in huge crowds to the races, in addition to drawing in the participation of some of the best drivers and best cars. It is a championship that features the widest variety of race cars into four different classes, so the odds are quite even between ll the teams.”
Fariqe Hairuman said,
“With my experience and exposure in the British Touring Car Championship, then the Asian Touring Car Championship, I hope I will be able to be as competitive in this new series. I still have a lot to learn and adapt to in this new series, but I am looking forward to this new challenge. To be able to have Masataka Yanagida as my teammate will also help me, as I will be able to learn from his vast racing experience.”
Masataka Yanagida comments,
“To be able to participate and race in the Super Taikyu Endurance Series in a BMW Z4 M Coupe is a dream as I am confident that it can challenge the likes of the Porsches, for instance. The team is already an established team, with experience in touring and endurance races and I am confident we can all put up a strong challenge!”
The 2007 Super Taikyu Endurance Series is scheduled to start with the first round at the Sendai Hi-land Raceway on April 22nd.
PETRONAS SYNTIUM TEAM PROFILE
PETRONAS has been racing in the Malaysian and Asian Saloon car events since 1990 under the name TEAM PETRONAS with a strong record of significant championship successes and over 80 wins.
The 1999 / 2000 season saw the collaboration with Opel South Africa, which led to the team’s participation in the South African Touring Car Championship (SATCC) under the name of TEAM PETRONAS SYNTIUM OPEL. When the South African Touring Car Championship ceased, the team's South African challenge continued with the 2001 South African Wesbank V8 Championship with a completely new car, which was designed and built in nine weeks.
In 2002, the team entered the prestigious world of touring car when it entered what is arguably the world’s premier touring car series, the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) series under a new name PETRONAS SYNTIUM PROTON.
The team entered a new phase with its new liveries as PETRONAS SYNTIUM PROTON when the team competed with two PETRONAS-backed Proton Impians in the BTCC Drivers' and Manufacturers' Championship, adding a brand new marquee to the grid in the 2002, 2003 and 2004 season.
After a three-year campaign in the BTCC, team PSP returned to Asia in 2005 to begin its challenge in the Asian Touring Car Championship (ATCC). An FIA-sanctioned race, the ATCC is held as part of the Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS) with rounds across Asia. BTCC pilot Fariqe Hairuman returned to his seat in the Proton Impian partnered by seasoned Team PETRONAS driver Mashlino Buang to lead the team’s charge in the Division One category (1600 cc and above). Participating in Division 2 (1600 cc and below) Mohd Syahrizal completed the team’s line-up for the season. The season ended on a high note with Team PSP drivers Fariqe and Mashlino claiming second and third overall in the drivers’ championship for Division 1, while Syahrizal took second overall in Division 2.
The 2006 season saw the return of South Africa’s most successful touring car driver Michael Briggs in the team’s most ambitious move with three Proton Impians to compete in Division 1, a move that cemented team PSP’s position as the premier touring car team in the region, claiming the overall Team Championship title with Fariqe, Michael and Mashlino bagging second, third and fourth overall in the driver’s championship in the Division.
On the back of two successful ATCC campaigns, 2007 will see the team embark on a new challenge with its participation in the highly regarded Japanese Super Taikyu Endurance Series. Having had experience of racing in the Korean round in the series in 1999, the 2007 challenge will field a driver line-up that will feature Fariqe Hairuman and established Japanese driver Masataka Yanagida, the PETRONAS SYNTIUM TEAM will lead the challenge in the series with a brand new BMW Z4 M Coupe.
The 1999 / 2000 season saw the collaboration with Opel South Africa, which led to the team’s participation in the South African Touring Car Championship (SATCC) under the name of TEAM PETRONAS SYNTIUM OPEL. When the South African Touring Car Championship ceased, the team's South African challenge continued with the 2001 South African Wesbank V8 Championship with a completely new car, which was designed and built in nine weeks.
In 2002, the team entered the prestigious world of touring car when it entered what is arguably the world’s premier touring car series, the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) series under a new name PETRONAS SYNTIUM PROTON.
The team entered a new phase with its new liveries as PETRONAS SYNTIUM PROTON when the team competed with two PETRONAS-backed Proton Impians in the BTCC Drivers' and Manufacturers' Championship, adding a brand new marquee to the grid in the 2002, 2003 and 2004 season.
After a three-year campaign in the BTCC, team PSP returned to Asia in 2005 to begin its challenge in the Asian Touring Car Championship (ATCC). An FIA-sanctioned race, the ATCC is held as part of the Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS) with rounds across Asia. BTCC pilot Fariqe Hairuman returned to his seat in the Proton Impian partnered by seasoned Team PETRONAS driver Mashlino Buang to lead the team’s charge in the Division One category (1600 cc and above). Participating in Division 2 (1600 cc and below) Mohd Syahrizal completed the team’s line-up for the season. The season ended on a high note with Team PSP drivers Fariqe and Mashlino claiming second and third overall in the drivers’ championship for Division 1, while Syahrizal took second overall in Division 2.
The 2006 season saw the return of South Africa’s most successful touring car driver Michael Briggs in the team’s most ambitious move with three Proton Impians to compete in Division 1, a move that cemented team PSP’s position as the premier touring car team in the region, claiming the overall Team Championship title with Fariqe, Michael and Mashlino bagging second, third and fourth overall in the driver’s championship in the Division.
On the back of two successful ATCC campaigns, 2007 will see the team embark on a new challenge with its participation in the highly regarded Japanese Super Taikyu Endurance Series. Having had experience of racing in the Korean round in the series in 1999, the 2007 challenge will field a driver line-up that will feature Fariqe Hairuman and established Japanese driver Masataka Yanagida, the PETRONAS SYNTIUM TEAM will lead the challenge in the series with a brand new BMW Z4 M Coupe.
The Super Taikyu Endurance Series
The Super Taikyu Endurance Series began in 1999 as the replacement to the All Japan Touring Car Championship (JTCC) or Inter-TEC series, which ran for four years between 1994 and 1998.
As one of the region’s premier championships in Asia, the Super Taikyu Endurance Series has since 1999 gained popularity over the past few years with increasing number of participants with over 35 cars on the grid at every round. This domestic stock-car series is divided into four race categories and boasts some of widest variety of race cars. Among the different cars participating in the series are the BMW M3, Honda NSX, Integra DC5 and S2000; Mitsubishi EVO; Subaru WRX; Mazda RX7 and RX8; Nissan 350ZX; Toyota Lexus GS450H; and the Porsche GT3 models, to name a few.
In addition to rounds held at some of the world’s best race circuits, the series has also established itself as one of the feature race events in the region, able to attract large crowds to the events. With participation of the country’s best drivers from other series, including Formula Nippon and Japan Super GT has also helped to elevate the Super Taikyu Endurance Series to become one of the most influential series in the country. Moreover, the cars in the series have also come to play an influential role on the popular import performance on the street-racing scene in the United States.
The Super Taikyu Endurance Series began in 1999 as the replacement to the All Japan Touring Car Championship (JTCC) or Inter-TEC series, which ran for four years between 1994 and 1998.
As one of the region’s premier championships in Asia, the Super Taikyu Endurance Series has since 1999 gained popularity over the past few years with increasing number of participants with over 35 cars on the grid at every round. This domestic stock-car series is divided into four race categories and boasts some of widest variety of race cars. Among the different cars participating in the series are the BMW M3, Honda NSX, Integra DC5 and S2000; Mitsubishi EVO; Subaru WRX; Mazda RX7 and RX8; Nissan 350ZX; Toyota Lexus GS450H; and the Porsche GT3 models, to name a few.
In addition to rounds held at some of the world’s best race circuits, the series has also established itself as one of the feature race events in the region, able to attract large crowds to the events. With participation of the country’s best drivers from other series, including Formula Nippon and Japan Super GT has also helped to elevate the Super Taikyu Endurance Series to become one of the most influential series in the country. Moreover, the cars in the series have also come to play an influential role on the popular import performance on the street-racing scene in the United States.
2007 Super Taikyu Endurance Series
Race Calendar*
<TABLE borderColor=#e1e1e1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=8 width=650 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>Round </TD><TD>Venue / Circuit</TD><TD>Race Distance / Format</TD><TD>Date</TD></TR><TR><TD>1</TD><TD>Sendai Hi-land Raceway (Japan)</TD><TD>To Be Advised</TD><TD>22nd April 2007</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>2</TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>Suzuka Circuit (Japan) </TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>500km</TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>13th May 2007</TD></TR><TR><TD>3*</TD><TD>Tokachi Speedway (Japan) </TD><TD>24hrs Race </TD><TD>15th July 2007</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>4</TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>Fuji Speedway (Japan)</TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>4hrs Race</TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>5th August 2007</TD></TR><TR><TD>5</TD><TD>Okayama International Circuit (Japan) </TD><TD>500km</TD><TD>2nd September 2007</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>6</TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>Sportsland Sugo (Japan)</TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>To Be Advised </TD><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>28th October 2007</TD></TR><TR><TD>7</TD><TD>Twin Ring Motegi (Japan)</TD><TD>500km </TD><TD>11th November 2007</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>*Subject to the final announcement by race organisers. </TD><TD></TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>PETRONAS SYNTIUM TEAM - BMW Z4 M COUPE RACE CAR SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Management System: BMW Motorsport ECU406 with two powerful microprocessors, Ethernet Interface and four CAN busses
Cylinder selective optimized Injection and Ignition
Pit-Speed-Limiter
Quick-Shift; Engine Log Book
Electronic Throttle Control
VANOS Control
ABS
Energy Management:
Distribution and Control of the electric energy through the BMW Motorsport POWER400 Control Unit
Networking of all Sensors and Actuators through a CAN Bus
Electric loom: Weight optimised
Ignition coils: Six high performance pencil-type ignition coils with integrated ignition driver
Sparkplugs: NGK high performance Sparkplugs
Instruments: Free programmable LCD Display with integrated shift lights
Steering-wheel: multiple function Steering-wheel with Quick-Release mechanism & display control
Length 4415mm
Width 1880mm
Wheelbase 2493mm
Front & Rear Overhang 865mm/774mm
Rear wing width 1504mm
Front & Rear Ground Clearance 80mm / 90mm
Front & Rear Tyres Michelin 27/65-18, 28/71-18
Front Brake Grey cast iron disc
diameter 380mm / 6 pot fixed calliper
Rear Brake Grey cast iron disc
Diameter 320mm / 4 pot fixed calliper
Driveline Sequential 6-speed gearbox, sintered clutch
Engine Layout Six cylinder in-line
Cylinder Capacity 3246 cc
Bore x Stroke 87 x 91 mm
Compression Ratio 12,5:1
Max Power 396 PS at 8200rpm (approximate)
Max Torque 400 Nm at approximately 5750 rpm (approximate)
Max Revolutions per minute 8400 rpm
Cylinder Block One-piece construction
Crankshaft Forged steel partPiston Forged slipper skirt piston
Con-rod Steel
Cylinder Head Aluminium, four valves per cylinder
Valve Train Two chain driver overhead camshafts with variable valve timing
Intake system Six single throttle valves
Carbon fibre airbox with resonance induction optimised inlet pipes
Exhaust system Multiple pipe manifold with silencer and catalytic converter
Cooling system Water / Air cooler
Flywheel Steel
Fuel system Inlet-Pipe injection
One injector per cylinder
5 bar injection pressure
Fuel 5 star lead-free petrol
ROZ min=98
Fuel tank volume 100 / 120 litres
Minimum weight 1,250kg
1200 kg in Nürburgring Specification
Flywheel Steel
Fuel system Inlet-Pipe injection
One injector per cylinder
5 bar injection pressure
Fuel 5 star lead-free petrol
ROZ min=98
Fuel tank volume 100 / 120 litres
Minimum weight 1,250kg
1200 kg in Nürburgring Specification
Source: teampetronas.com
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