Farique bags double win in Japan to open up 10-point lead

PETALING JAYA: Petronas Syntium’s Mohd Farique Hairuman opened up a 10-point lead in the Asian Touring Car Championships (ATCC) after securing his third double win of the season at the Autopolis International Racing Circuit in Japan over the weekend.

Standing tall: Mohd Farique Hairuman (centre) of Petronas Syntium Team celebrates on the podium after winning Round 8 of the Asian Touring Car Championships at the Autopolis International Racing Circuit in Japan on Sunday. With him are second-placed Masaki Kano (left) and third-placed Cheung Chi Sing.

The Malaysian started sixth on the reverse grid order in Round 8 on Sunday and won the race in 21:28.074. Farique had won Round 7 on Saturday in 21:23.856.

The 23-year-old is certainly on track to winning the championships for the first time.

He has won six of the eight races thus far and has 100 points.

His other double victories were achieved in Sepang and Chengdu.

The blot on his record this season was gaining only 10 points (a third place) from the two races in the third-leg in Sentul, Indonesia. The last two races of the championships will be held in Zhuhai on Nov 3 and 4.

“Winning two races in Japan is a good feeling. I have to thank the guys in the team for the great job over the weekend.

“I am looking forward to Zhuhai and I hope to repeat the great results we got here,” said Farique.