Marking Malaysia’s National Day, Kegani Racing Academy faced a new challenge with the SKILLDRVN program by participating in the MSF 111-lap Merdeka endurance race. The team of Kenny Lee, Loke Yin Yi, and Daniel Storkersen drove a specially prepared Toyota Levin, competing as a three-driver team with the race number #361.
The car has a rich history. It belongs to Kenny Lee, who started Kegani with this very vehicle and first raced it at Sepang in 2007. Over the years, it has achieved a strong record in endurance racing and has competed in various regional events. Its return to the Merdeka endurance race is a fitting tribute for National Day weekend.
Race result
Qualifying in fifth place (#361) for the Super Compatto class, the team had to catch up after the rolling start. Loke Yin Yi raced first and quickly climbed to fourth on the first lap, then third by Lap 3 and second by Lap 22. During her 24-lap opening stint, she achieved a best lap of 2:38.500 and an average lap time of 2:40.193, handing over the car in good condition.
Kenny Lee took over at the first pit stop on Lap 24 and delivered the best performance of the race. Over 31 laps, he clocked the car’s fastest lap at 2:37.316 and maintained a strong average lap of 2:38.754, the best in the class during that period. By Lap 42, the Levin was leading the class and held that position for the next 38 laps.
Daniel Storkersen stepped in for the third stint on Lap 55. Although it was his first time driving the Levin, he quickly adapted and posted a best lap of 2:38.368, just a tenth off Kenny’s time, with an average of 2:40.642, maintaining the class lead. Both of Daniel’s pit stops were efficient and faster than any competitors.
Then, on Lap 77, a leaking clutch hose caused trouble, slowing the car down significantly for two laps. Daniel handled the issue well, bringing the car back to the pits on Lap 79 instead of stopping on the track. The repair took about eleven minutes, resulting in a lap time of 13:54.949, which dropped #361 from first to fourth but kept the race alive.
Kenny Lee returned to the car and quickly regained speed, recording a best lap of 2:37.393 and an average of 2:39.676 during the final stint, trying to win while creating a gap from rivals.
Rejoining in fourth, #361 had a solid pace advantage. In the last stint, it ran at an average of 2:39.676, significantly faster than the #386 Honda Civic and #878 Suzuki Swift ahead. By Lap 87, they moved to third as the #233 Suzuki Swift made its final stop. By Lap 93, #361 passed both cars that were ahead, going from fourth back to the class lead in just thirteen laps, thanks to being the fastest car still running well.
Once back in front, the last laps turned into a fuel-saving mission for Kenny. He reduced the pace, lapping in the 2:41s and 2:42s instead of the quicker 2:39s to conserve fuel until the finish line.
The #233 remained the fastest car in the end, lapping in the 2:35s and 2:36s, but it couldn’t close the gap due to its late pit stop.
#361 crossed the finish line after completing 108 laps, one more than any other car in the class, to secure the Super Compatto victory after five hours and eight minutes of racing.
A RESULT BUILT ON CONSISTENCY
Endurance racing at Sepang rewards the ability to maintain performance over time: keeping a steady pace with three drivers, having a skilled pit crew that works without mistakes, and a car that can endure five hours of heat and darkness. #361 excelled in all these areas, with its three drivers finishing within 2.3 seconds of each other, quick pit stops, and skilled driving that turned a potential breakdown into a manageable repair instead of a race-ending issue.
For a car that first raced here in 2007, this victory was well-deserved, bouncing back from fifth place on the grid and an eleven-minute repair to win by a whole lap.
The team would like to express its sincere appreciation to all sponsors supporting the Levin’s 111-lap endurance campaign, including: EXEDY, PROFIMAX, M POWER BATTERY, RACINGLAB, U PLY, TM WORKS, ZX1, TUVTEC POWER DEPARTMENT and KJ BRAKE, as well as all technical partners, crew, media partners, and supporters whose continuous trust and support made this result possible.
To explore sponsorship and collaboration opportunities, or to find out more about Kegani Racing Academy’s race preparation and endurance programmes, kindly contact/whatsapp Kenny Lee at 012-614 4141. You can also pay us a visit at Kegani Racing Services, No: 7, Jalan Serindit 2, Puchong Jaya 47100 Puchong, Selangor.