Former international touring car driver Mitchell Cheah and Sepang 1000km Endurance race winner Naquib Azlan will pair up to lead Wing Hin Motorsports’ single car entry in the Thailand Super Series Championship from 3-5 May at the Chang International Circuit.
Competing in a Toyota Yaris in the Super Compact Class, it will mark the pair’s first full season competing in the championship abroad. The Super Compact Class will involve two 1-hour + 1 lap races being held on Saturday (4 May) and Sunday (5 May). A total of 22 cars are registered to compete in the class which includes models like the Toyota Altis and Yaris; Honda CRZ, City and Jazz GK; and Ford Fiesta.
Bolstered by the success the team enjoyed in Thailand in 2023, Wing Hin Motorsports has committed its drivers and resources to competing both abroad in Malaysia this year. In only its debut in Thailand last season, Wing Hin Motorsports secured a Class victory in the 10-hour Idemitsu Super Endurance 600 Southeast Asia Trophy, successfully bringing its 3-car entry to the finish line with the other two entries completing the race in 4th and 7th in Class.
“Thailand has proven to become a very competitive proving ground for the team, bringing together a very diverse mix of Thai and international drivers as well as cars. We don’t expect the Thailand Super Series to be any less competitive and challenging given its reputation of close and fierce racing and exceptionally powerful built cars,” said Wing Hin Motorsports Team Principal William Loh.
Loh added that Wing Hin Motorsports is also making preparations to field Malaysian drivers to compete in the Thailand Supercar GT4 Class when Round 2 of the TSS moves to the Bangsaen Street Circuit in 3-7 July.
“The racing exposure in Thailand is a fundamental step to elevate the team’s overall competitiveness and technical competency in preparation for local events, namely the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) and flagship races like the Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race. In fact, Wing Hin Motorsports will also be fielding a second Toyota Yaris helmed by Nabil Azlan and Amer Harris in the opening round of the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) the very same weekend we are competing in Thailand.”
For Naquib, the responsibility of driving in all four rounds of the Thailand Super Series is certainly one that he relishes and intends to make the most of.
“I’m really excited to be paired up with Mitchell again. Our first outing together was during lastr year’s 10-Hour endurance race and we showed great potential. We are hoping to carry this momentum into TSS this year,” said the 24-year-old.
“My aim is always to win. I know the team has been working hard to provide us with a car that will give us a shot at winning. I have no doubt that the teams at TSS are going to be strong but I have confidence in our team and that we can take the fight to them. For sure racing internationally is a whole different experience and the exposure last year has helped me to adapt quicker to not only a different track but to the many different styles of my opponents. The exposure has certainly been vital and it gives me a strong platform to accelerate my development as a driver.”
Cheah, 26, is equally excited to take the next step in his motorsports career with a new championship and a new team.
“Wing Hin Motorsports has been very welcoming since I joined last December and immediately, I came away from the 10-hour race in 4th on the team’s very first time competing in the event. My hope is definitely to win the Super Compact championship together with Naquib. Winning has always been my goal in whichever championship I compete in. TSS will be competitive as I know some good drivers are also taking part in this category so let’s see how it plays out…I will certainly do my best in every race.
“The exposure in TSS is big from what I’ve seen and experienced because the motorsports community in Thailand is much bigger. I definitely hope to excel there and maybe have more opportunities to further my motorsport career in the future.”
The Thailand Super Series Championship (Super Compact) race starts from 8.15 am (9.15 am Malaysian time) on 4 May, and at 10.55 am (11.55 am Malaysian time) on 5 May. To catch the race action, tune in to the livestream at: www.thailandsuperseries.net
