Malaysian driver, Hiqmar Danial, started his second season in the JK Racing Asia Series with a fine third place in the third of four races held at the opening round of the Series held at the Sepang F1 Circuit. This was his first podium in the Series and his first event with Eurasia Motorsport. Australian team mate, Josh Raneri, was an extremely impressive rookie finishing in the top ten in all four races. The first time he had sat in a Formula car was race week making his performance all the more remarkable.
Hiqmar had completed only a handful of tests prior to the season but he was immediately on the pace once race week began. He was very disappointed to qualify 7th – “Too many mistakes, my theoretical fastest lap on the data was faster than the pole lap” rued Hiqmar. Josh Raneri was just two places behind in 9th place on the starting grid, a remarkable performance considering he had begun the week as a complete novice.
Race one saw Hiqmar climb to 5th place after a spirited battle with Ron Tan. Raneri completed his first Formula car race in 8th place, a fine achievement considering the quality of the 14 car field.
Race two saw Raneri go one place better whilst Hiqmar was pushed off track whilst battling for third place and fell to the back of the field, eventually finishing tenth. Race three was much better for Hiqmar, taking third place on lap three and then holding off a challenge from Afiq Yazid. Raneri finished 7th, his fastest race lap less than a second slower than the race’s fastest lap.
Race four saw Hiqmar start from tenth on the grid and he was able to finish 7th just ahead of his team mate. “Hiqmar undertook very little pre-season testing compared to all the guys at the front and yet he still managed his first podium finish. I believe this bodes well for the remainder of the season and I see no reason why he will not be winning races this year. In Josh we seem to have found another Australian star in the making and if he continues to improve at the rate he did at Sepang we will have two potential race winners on our hands this season” reported Eurasia’s Mark Goddard.
The next round of the series will be held at Paul Ricard in France on July 1st.
