As we pull into the Sepang parking area and notice the available lots rapidly diminishing, the excitement starts to build in anticipation of the night's Sepang Drag Battle event. The car park is full of modified and as well as stock cars, but the entire crowd consists of drag racing fans. For some it is even a family event as moms can be seen wheeling their children through the entrance on their strollers.
We pay the entrance fee (RM180 for participants, RM30 for spectators) and enter the pit area. Right from the start, you can see that these people mean business. Many of the participating cars aren't even road legal, evident by the fact that not only do they not even have a full chassis or body, the cars have to be actually towed or transported by flatbed to the event. I find it difficult even to refer some of them as actual cars but more of highly tuned engines with wheels fitted to lift them off the ground.
A short walk over to Pit 11 where the class B (2WD Forced Induction category) cars are parked, we find the Monster Pit car that we have come to support. The R32 Nissan Skyline of Monster Pit owner Ivan Tan is easily the most attractive car competing today. Fresh from the Mean Machines event at Juru recently, the Monster Pit R32 is still sporting its fresh show car paint and livery. Ivan and his chief mech have worked hard to get the car where it is today with its new RB26 powerplant ready to lay down a baseline 400m time in stock form with its new driver, Akina Teo.
As the qualifying session begins, our eyes are truly opened to the fact that these cars are really quick in the quarter mile. Plenty of cars in class B can be seen pulling off 10" and 11" runs. The class A (Open category) cars are even quicker, with cars including a highly tuned Satria, and an Impreza and Evo from Singapore.
In conclusion, the Sepang Drag Battle was an interesting experience indeed with the Monster Pit team having a very good first outing. The team will continue to grow with more experience and track time with Ivan's goal of building a powerful track weapon that works equally well as a daily driver set in the team's sights. We wish the best of luck to the Monster Pit team.
Pictures from the 15/11/08 Sepang Drag Battle below.
