RL Karting

IN just his second race in the 2009 All-Japan KF2 Championship season, Malaysia’s Bryan Mehta won the race at the Haruna Kart Circuit in Tokyo yesterday.

The 15-year-old Kuala Lumpur born of the Birel Pacific Motorsports team crossed the finish line of the 25-lap final race four seconds ahead of Japanese Kohei Suto and five seconds in front of third place Reo Takahashi.

Bryan finished fourth in the heat and made the most of the second row start in the final to become the first Malaysian to win a race in the series.

“It was definitely an unexpected result but I am really h
appy and pleased with it,” said Bryan.

“I also want to thank the team who were working tirelessly to ensure I have the perfect machine throughout the weekend,” he added.

Bryan, who is the Malaysian reigning Yamaha SL Cup Junior category, is making his debut in Japan this season.

In the season opener at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit on April 9, Bryan, who is the only Malaysian on the starting grid managed to impress the pits with a second place finish.

Trained under A1 Team Malaysia driver Aaron Lim, Bryan is among the most promising karter the nation has produced.

His next event is the CIK-FIA Asia Pacific Championship in Suzuka in two weeks time.

“That will be his really test because a lot of the top European drivers will be on the grid,” said Aaron.

“It is also a good step for him to gauge himself after this win,” added Aaron.

Bryan’s race seat in Japan is the outcome of a working relationship with his Malaysian team RL Karting and the Birel Motorsports under the Toyota Motorsports programme.