14.06.2004 Malaysian outfit Amprex Motorsports, who are targeting Le Mans next year,  will race their new Lamborghini R-GT for the first time at this weekend's round of the JGTC at Sepang

Malaysian-based team Amprex Motorsports on Sunday launched their new team and car, a Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT for their entry in the GT500 class in Round 3 of the Japan GT Championship 2004 at Sepang Circuit this coming weekend.

An official launch by Amprex Motorsports was held at the Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur to coincide with the Japan GT road show.

The R-GT was developed for racing by the sports unit of Audi, who own Lamborghini. Audi Sports captured the 24hrs Le Mans in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and also was champion recently in the American Le Mans Series.

The company that build the car, which is powered by an V12 6.0 litre engine is Reiter Engineering of Germany who has also been racing with Lamborghini cars in the FIA GT, one of the biggest endurance races in Europe where many famous ex Formula 1 drivers participate.

In April this year, Reiter Engineering entered the Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT in the FIA GT Round 2 in Valencia, Spain and finished third.

The team director of the Amprex Motorsports Team, Hong Heng Soon said that their late entry into Japan GT 2004 which had Round 1 in April and Round 2 in May would hamper their chances in the championship. "We are still learning the new car as a new team. The car was prepared one week before the race so any good result will be a bonus for us".

The drivers for the car are first driver Kuala Lumpur-based Genji Hashimoto, who is also owner of Team Amprex Motorsports and their new driver, Norman Simon who has been racing internationally for many years including F3, F3000 and also 24hrs Le Mans.

"Our experienced first driver Hashimoto is familiar with Japan GT, having participated in the GT300 class while Norman though young is quick and was test driver for Lamborghini".

Hong said the car was built according to FIA regulations and had to get special approval from Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) to race in the Japan GT Championship. "We cannot modify the car to Japan GT specification. Obviously there is a big difference technically where the FIA rules will have a disadvantage on the car."

"For example in terms of engine power, our car might be better than the top teams like Toyota, Nissan and Honda but will loose out in the cornering speed because of the aerodynamic and suspension layout".

Hong said the ultimate target for the team, which has five Malaysian mechanics, is to participate in the 24hrs of Le Mans next year, which is the greatest endurance race of all time. "We want to make history for a Malaysian team to participate in this event. Many Japanese teams have been there for some time but definitely none from Malaysia."

He said the team had participated in Japan in 2002 and 2003 with a different car and in the GT300 class and will continue to participate in this championship this year but in the GT500 class. There are seven rounds in JGTC remaining, all to held in Japanese circuits except the race in Sepang.

"Our main reason for participating is to test and develop the car further while racing. Sometime in August this year we are intend to do a 24 hours endurance test to prepare ourselves for the 24 hours of  Le Mans next year, as we need to prepare the car for a longer distance race".

After two rounds in Japan, Toyota are leading both categories in the Japan GT championships with the Cerumo Supra partnership of Yuki Tachikawa and Seiji Ara heading the GT500 class and the Wedsport Celica duo of Takayuki Aoiki and Nobuteru Taniguchi topping the GT300 class.

In Round 1 (Aida-April 3 and 4) and Round 2 (Sugo-May 22 and 23), chilly, misty and wet tracks were the order of the races. In Sepang, which has hosted three Japan GT races since 2000, the hot and steamy tropical weather with temperatures at the track leading to 40 degrees will have an effect on the performance of both drivers and cars participating. However the race will start at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 19 with the temperature a few degrees cooler.

The remaining Japan GT 2004 schedule will also include, Round 4 (Tokachi Speedway - July 17 and 18), Round 5 (Twin Ring Motegi - Sept 4 and 5), Round 6 (Autopolis Ota - Oct 30 and 31) and Round 7 (Suzuka Speedway Mie - Nov 20 and 21).