race in four different categories (DD1- 32.6 horsepower engine, Junior Max 20.4 horsepower, Senior Max – 28.5 horsepower and the DD2 Masters – 32.6 horsepower) in the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals at the Al Ain Raceway.

After winning the 2010 event, 14-year-old winner Emirates-born Edward Jones won the Meritus.GP prize of a free one-day Formula BMW development test at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. This year, the winner will be provide a two-day scholarship test to train in the Meritus.GP car competing in the JK Racing Asia Series which has just returned from competing at the first ever Grand Prix of India at the Buddh International Circuit.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President and President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE is thrilled that the event has returned to Al Ain after the emirate first staged the race in 2007 and commented: ” I am happy that Meritus have again taken this significant step because it sends the right signals out to the youths, that talent will be recognized. It is important to encourage young talent from the grass-roots, and karting is

where the sport begins”, Sulayem said while welcoming Meritus’ initiative to now fund a two-day development programme for upcoming drivers at the Sepang circuit in a Meritus.GP car.

Peter Thompson, President and team founder of Meritus.GP said: We have an in-house motorsport responsibility programme and we are delighted to support His Excellency’s initiative and to encourage young UAE karters. We are the only truly Middle East team that offers all the steps on the motorsport ladder from karting to the doorstep of F1 and we have a responsibility to find and educate young karters and their families in their transition to formula motorsport and we are proud to support Al Ain Raceway and encourage young drivers from the UAE to take up the sport.

It was what could only be described as a superb weekend for Klarich, a clean sweep of all the heats in addition to qualifying first in the 1 lap dash by three tenths placed the 16 year old in firm positioning for a victory and the impending test drive to take place at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Some minor changes were made to the Super Rooster Lenzo Kart that recently claimed 3^rd in the CIK Stars of Karting Series for the Pro-Junior category meant that yet more speed was found for Jake.

The Perth teenager stated, “the Super Rooster Lenzo Kart was on song in Kalgoorlie, we made a few little changes all weekend and it took off.”

Following these minor tweaks, and riding an enormous wave of confidence, Jake then drove through to storm the field in the final to eventually claim victory by 10 seconds, truly displaying the talent that has been attributed to him across the season which also saw two round wins in the CIK series. Already with 5 WA State Karting Titles and 1 NSW State Karting Title to his name, this opportunity to compete in what was formally known as Formula BMW Asia will be a strong move for Klarich into the direction of International open-wheel racing that he is striving to achieve.

Klarich added, “we are very happy with the result and I am looking forward to driving with Team Meritus in Malaysia,” further stating, “to have the opportunity to drive this car is an amazing feeling and i will be working hard before it so i can go there hoping to make a good impression.”

“A big thank you to the team, Lenzo Kart Australia, Super Rooster Toowoomba, Condo Cartage, MI Construct, Bowra Signs and A and R Klarich Transport and Earthmoving,” Klarich concluded.

ENDS

The first Meritus formula car win was at the 1989 British Grand Prix when Anthony Reid (now a multi BTCC winner) won the Formula Opel Lotus series support races. Meritus went on to win European team championships and helping many of today’s top drivers.

In the early 90’s the team participated in F3 and F3000 and in 1995 expanded to Asia. Backed by Marlboro and Castrol, the team won its first Formula Asia championship in 1996, and our driver, Narain Karthikeyan became a national sports star in India. Another Meritus hero is Takuma Sato won his first formula race with Meritus at the 1999 Macau Grand Prix, we are very proud to have helped our Asian drivers achieve their F1 dreams with Takuma joining Jordan in 2002 and Narain followed in 2005.

Asian motorsport offers a very cost-effective and competitive step from karting to formula motorsport and provides all the career benefits for ambitious drivers focused on F1. The big difference is that these Asian steps are at least 30% cheaper than similar European formulae. Meritus champions have gone to win European podiums in the Renault Eurocup (Oscar Tunjo), British F3 (Jazeman Jaafar), GP3 Series (Rio Haryanto), World Series by Renault (Alexander Rossi) and GP2 Series (luca Filippe), proof of the training, coaching and competition that Meritus and Asian series provides.

The Arab/Asian owned Meritus team is headquartered in Malaysia, where Peter Thompson’s Asian partner Firhat Yuri Mokhzani manages race operations. The Arab link is via Saudi businessman Raad Abduljawad.  The successful partnership has seen the Meritus brand grow into the regions premier race-team brand, conquering Asia with 34 Asian motorsport titles in the past 15 years. Meritus.GP missed-out winning the 2010 GP2 Asia Series by one point, however we has won seven of the last eight Formula BMW team and drivers crowns. In addition Meritus has won the team and drivers’ titles in the 2007 and 2008 Formula V6 Asia Series.

Formula BMW; now Rebranded the JK Racing Asia Series

The Formula BMW junior driver development series has been a huge success. The BMW-FB02 car incorporates all the latest F1 technology and has helped many of today’s top drivers make the transition from karting to formula motorsport. Many F1 drivers are Formula BMW graduates, in fact the 2004 Formula BMW champion is now the 2011 FIA Formula1 double world champion! The youngest man yet to achieve the dream!

When BMW pulled out of Formula One, the series was rebranded the JK Racing Asia Series and continues to provide the same high-standards which BMW established, supporting Formula One and racing in Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, China, Korea and India and maybe a visit to Europe in 2012.

The JK Series is without doubt one of the best F1 junior driver development series in the world today, being part of the F1 environment provides opportunities for drivers to be linked to Formula1 teams, like the Meritus 2010 formula BMW winner Oscar Tunjo who was spotted by Lotus Renault driver development manager and is now a fully backed Gravity-managed driver.

Meritus Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals Scholarship

Meritus are proud to be associated with this prestigious event, we hope that our two-day test scholarship in a BMW-FB02 car on the Sepang F1 Circuit will help the Rotax World Champion to make a successful career move to formula motorsport.

Ends

For more information on Meritus and the JK Series please check our 2012

Drivers Guide at www.meritus.gp/sereis or contact Peter Thompson at

+601230274324 and peter@meritus.gp

Kuala Lumpur,21^st October: The Meritus JK Racing Asia Series team confirms sponsorship of the 2011 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals. The Al Ain Raceway (UAE) hosts the Grand Finals from 19 to 26 October.  The Rotax Max Champion will be awarded a two-day scholarship test in a Formula JK Series racecar with Meritus.GP. The test scholarship will be held during January 2012 on the Sepang Formula One circuit in Malaysia.

The international CIK event is one of the most prestigious championships in the world of karting applying the Olympic spirit to an international semi-professional kart racing series. National champions from each of the Rotax classes are invited to the Grand Finals.  This year the 12th Annual World Final event will see 262 drivers from 60 countries fighting for World Titles.

Meritus.GP is one of the top Asian race organizations and winners of 34 Asian motorsport titles, including seven Formula BMW Asia/Pacific titles. The JK Racing Asia Series was formerly known as Formula BMW Asia from 2003-2008, and Formula BMW Pacific from 2009-2010. When BMW pulled out of formula racing in 2010, Motorsport Asia took over the title rights of the series and entered into an agreement with Mr Ecclestone and Formula One Management. The Series continues to support three Formula One Grand Prix in 2011 with Malaysia, Singapore and India Grand Prix on the calendar, while being a part of the Asian Festival Of Speed in Malaysia and Indonesia. The 2012 Season is expected to expand to a 7-event format with additional events in Japan and Korea.

The purpose of the JK Racing Asia Series is to provide a platform to develop young karting talents towards their ‘dream’ of Formula 1. The JK Series winner will be awarded a test with one of the leading GP2 Teams, which is just one step from Formula 1. This GP2 test will not only provide further motivation for JKRACERS to secure the JK Racing Asia Title, but will also give them an opportunity to understand what will be expected from them in their future careers.

Meritus are proud of their association with karting and, through the JK Racing Asia Series, we provide the initial step for karters and their families seeking a long-term career in motorsport.  President of Meritus.GP Peter Thompson says:

“we are happy to award the JKTEST Scholarship to the winner of the prestigious Rotax World Finals and we hope it will become an annual scholarship to promote and motivate young karters.”

Many of today’s Formula One drivers graduated from karting series like Rotax Max to the Formula BMW championship, while the 2011 Formula One double world champion Sebastian Vettel secured his future by winning the 2004 Formula BMW championship.  It is our hope that the Meritus scholarship will kick-start the career of a young Rotax Max World Champion.

I was a touring car driver myself and won the 12 hours of Madeca  in 2003 with a Porsche GT3.

I have known Peter Thompson since 1995 and when he wanted to expand his business I did not hesitate and became a partner to keep the race team going. In 1999 and 2000, I started to introduce the coaching side as part of the race dimension. Since then, success has been with us and we have now won seven championships.

Drivers do a better job if they are given a broader picture to understand where they are at.

Q What are the qualities necessary in a driver?

Intelligence is the number 1 quality. From there they adapt to anything and understand the feeling and have the intelligence to learn more and not to be arrogant.

You can never become a good driver if you are dumb.

Q Which drivers have the highest amount of talent you have come across with Meritus GP?

Ross Simpson, Earl Bamber, and Jazeman Jafaar…are the first name that come to my mind

Q What are your goals with a driver?

There are immediate goals like winning the race and win this year.

Then with the team Meritus GP, we want to win the series and we want to expand to Europe.

Q What are the tensions in your job?

The race itself of course and then managing the relationship between the individuals is important. A family type of environment is necessary for a driver to blossom and keep everything smooth and everyone involved at their maximum.

ends

Q How did you start?

I started officially in 2003 with Meritus and even two years earlier with Meritus in the UK. So a good decade!

Q What is your job?

I am the race engineer. That means I set up all the four cars.

Q How do you start your race week-end…

I could say …it is like a dream for a kid. I open boxes. And I see what’s inside…

Here the boxes came from the Singapore race. The surprise is that we will have a few long hours refurbishing the car as there was lots of damage, especially because we had a fire on one of the cars in the last race. We knew about the damage and we shipped two brand new cars from Malaysia.

Q what are the challenges you face at the Buddh circuit?

A new track of course. This is the same for all the competitors. So we must be first on track. It will be critical as the surface of the track is not rubbered in and it is very dusty. We have to predict the grid and provide the set-up accordingly.

Q What are the keys to success?

A combination between a good race and a good setup for the race.

I suppose it all starts with good organization and planning. Then the driver must have the right attitude and the team too. The set-up after practice is key. The tyres degrade. You also can’t get the race set up wrong. It is just a fine mixture between all these factors. And also a combination between the talent of the driver and the result of the driver’s coaching. Not just the fitness of the driver counts. Not only the engineering factors. In the end, it is important for a driver to relate back to the engineers properly the reactions of the car. What is important is what the diver is telling me and I have to translate it.

The pre-season testing is the key to the season. The racing background of the drivers is important as well. Despite their young age, these drivers are full-time athletes.

Q And after the race?

We pack as usual…Here we will store the boxes at the track as our next race is again on this track.

Q and A with New Zealand ex driver, Earl Bamber – talented coach of the Meritus.gp team

Q Do you feel like a teacher?

Maybe! There are three types of steps to take for a good approach with a driver.

Firstly driver training means building a relationship with the driver. It is important to listen and organize the trust. Then only you can pass on your knowledge. I could sum up the mission saying that coaching is making a driver understand that it is not so important “Not to be fast” but more important to understand “how to be fast”.

This understanding factor is important to go faster and faster. This is the only way to progress.

Q Can you forget one step as a driver?

Preferably not… A good memory needed! The track walk is important. I did it today. It is key to approach a complete race week-end. Using a simulator is a bit the same. Now simulators are not games any longer. They really reflect the reality and teach reflexes to the drivers.

Q Do you miss driving personally?

Of course, I still drive when I get the opportunity. Back in New Zealand, I compete in the commercial Audi Ice experience. I also compete in Superleague Formula.

Q what is a good driver?

You can tell that a good background helps to build up the environment of a champion. When they arrive the young talents know what a gearbox is and how it works. There is enough to learn that you do not have to teach them the basics. It is harder for a driver who comes from a non-racing background. Then he has to learn everything. Years of racing and experience in racing help more than the age.

Q Can drivers learn from their mistakes?

No one is perfect. You can make mistake. What you cannot do is you should not do the same mistake twice. You can eventually jump-start. Cross the white line, be involved in a racing incident…but repeat the problems. No!

Q How quickly do you learn a new circuit?

My job is easy. You can never be bored. This is fascinating, because you almost never get a perfect lap.

Q What is the safe recipe for progress?

For talented drivers, mileage is key to the training. With enough time you can get a driver as close to perfection as you want

Q What are the secrets to a good preparation?

Ultimately 3-4 laps should be enough because 70% of the race preparation is before the race. Then when you have these 70% behind you, you are ready to win a race. This is the way to prepare well!

Q Is coaching a new discipline necessary to be a good racer?

It is a bit. In every sport coaching is important: In football, golf elsewhere. But motorsport was the only sport in the world where coaching did not exist. It is a big bonus for the Meritus team and its management to have developed this unique aspect. Bruce Jouanny before me and Firhat Mokhzani who is Peter Thompson’s partner have prepared the concept and implemented it. In F1 you need not only a coach but a physio to improve your reaction time by knowing what is happening and how it is happening will make you faster, even if you can always be fast naturally.

Q What are the qualities for a fast driver?

Passionate, hungry and well prepared to push to the absolute limit. He must keep calm and calculated. He needs to have everything put into prospective to have a bigger picture and that comes with experience.

In fact, it is the same effort to be on pole position in GP2 or in JK Series. If you miss your best time by a tenth the consequence are bigger for instance in a European series because there are more drivers in Europe than in Asia.

Q What is the secret for a new tracks like India?

7’0 % lies in the race preparation before you touch the track. The simulator and the latest version and how it is used is as important as ever.

We also give tools to drivers with a booklet which is the program of their week-end and highlights the key moments and what their job and responsibilities are and when it happens. It is easier when it is in writing.

We give them track notes that we prepare with them. This is more about how to drive.

We prepare together a circuit map where drivers write their own notes about gear rations for instance or corners so that they can refer to the situation and see what the other competitors are doing and compare and then it is easier for them to stick to the plan of the team. Drivers are the key players. They must be helped to stick to the overall team plan for a win for instance.

Giving advice, and the goal for the race, changes before the race …all this is part of a drivers training and coaching.

In fact a driver is a complete professional. This is what we need; a fully prepared and dedicated individual who even prepares in the gym on a regular basis. A driver is an athlete. He follows a set of guidelines written with him and for him. This goes as far as participating in “fitness camps” prior to the season.

Q And summing it up?

The drivers must be “at their best” all the time and never be lazy.

Q What comes next?

After success or a problem, the debrief to understand why and build on the event.

I started racing 14 years ago in go kart.

It is a bit hard for an Indian racer with no infrastructure in the country, a bit of an original move for a country where cricket is the number one sport. Sponsors usually have no interest and it is not really the sport in the country.

My first sponsor however was the Sujane steel company which I met through a PR agency.

Q Do you remember your first win?

Yes of course. I was nine years old. It was a local race and then I won in the under 12, under 16t and open classes.

Q what makes you strong?

My family. My father Dinnesh is an ex professional bike racer.

Then we worked together on the racing concept. I won the national championship. I represented India in final. I won the final! Then I was seven years in a row India’s Championship winner. In 2007, I received the BMW scholarship and went with Eurasia.

Q What does the first India Grand Prix mean for you?

It is phenomenal and important. Imagine what it makes you feel like to race in front of the eyeballs of your fellow citizens for the first time; an Indian driver on the track for the first time and part of the show. I have the mission to represent my country and achieve something good for my fans in my fan club.

Q how well do you know the Meritus car?

We are just back from a four day test in Johor Baru in Malaysia. I ran one second quicker than the Meritus bench mark time on the Johor Baru track. You have to adapt to the circuit.

Q And the secret for the Indian GP?

You have to get familiar. Not too eager. With a short 30 minute practice you do not have a second chance. You have to get your act together very early. Then it is all about an excellent qualifying result. You want to finish the race and to finish on the podium.

Q When did you started racing?

This dates back a long time. Samir, my dad, used to be a touring car driver and a 4X4 rallye car driver. I was two years old…

Later even my sister who is three years older than me also tried karting But she prefers watching but she cracked under pressure…and went back to watching f3.

Q What is your best memory?

My first podium and my first race were lousy. This I remember very well. I won my second race however. My Dad started his own karting team after that. Then Imran came on board from the FBMW driver Petronas series.

I learned a lot from him and competed and won almost every race in Malaysia since I have been working with him.

Q How did you meet Peter Thompson?

Peter Thompson was in contact with my Dad from the start. Meritus was looking for new drivers. I was doing well. We met in Macau for the international go-kart grand prix. After that, I did a test. It boosted my performance in kart racing. I was top 5 in the first test and then I did well also in the second test.

Then I had to make a choice. Either another year in karting or go up into Formula racing. This is what I did. I just wanted to achieve more.

For the first season, as a rookie I have been doing well with three podiums.

Other drivers have a lot of experience. So six more races on this Indian track and we will see where I stop.

Q as a rookie… How did you learn the Indian track?

Well simple. I learnt it in the simulator. Just like last year in Philippines or almost every race. I have been improving step by step. I scored a fifth place finish in Singapore after a start from P8. I also had two safety cars period disrupt my race. In fact I did not get enough track time during the Singapore race. I had a problem too and went into the wall in the first race. It was my mistake and I am sorry for the team.

Here in India, I had three weeks of practice to familiarize myself with the track on the F1 car simulator with Earl Bamber our team’s coach and I am very close to his best time.

Q What do you want to achieve?

Finish practice. Finish the full qualifying session and finish the two races.

Q What is the secret to a good race?

Stay relaxed and calm. I need to improve on thinking and analyse better the results. I also need to plan and anticipate.

Q Do you like F1 races?

Of course, and I have not missed a single race since 2003; watching every event closely on TV. On top I watched the 2004 Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang.

Q What is your preferred race?

Singapore I suppose. Also after my race, I stayed to watch the F1. It is more challenging to race at night. It feels like driving in the day. But it is not as easy and you may lose the breaking point and go straight.

Q Who is your favourite driver?

I am a fan of Lewis Hamilton. He is my hero. I like his driving style. He is aggressive. The Korean Grand Prix race was one of his best races. His qualifying was good. He showed how relaxed he was.

Q and F1…?

I would say that it is a very perfect mix: A lot with the car, but a lot with the driver too. Button for instance can conserve the car better. But Hamilton is just the class above.

At Ferrari, Alonso has an excellent race base but poor qualifying usually.

Q How do you rate F1 overall?

It is entertaining! You have 5 world champions competing this year. DRS, overtaking, just great fun to watch

Q What are you after?

I remember my first win in karting with Yamaha. But I want my first win on this track for instance…I have Indian blood from my grandmothers even though I am a Malaysian! So that would make me proud for my family roots to win here.

Six Indian drivers will join the JK Racing Asia Series (formerly known as Formula BMW Pacific) line-up over the weekend. Meritus has invited one of them as a guest driver: This driver flying the Indian flag is no stranger to the FB02 cars having participated previously, and is making his return at Meritus.GP as a guest driver.

Meritus.GP driver, Afiq Ikhwan, is coming off two very successful outings and with a tally of six back-to-back wins, the Malaysian is quickly catching up to Auer and has closed the gap to only a nine-point margin after Singapore. The 20 year old has also shown great strength, levelheadedness and determination heading into the final two race weekends.

Interview Afiq Ikhwan, 20 years old

Q What does the first India Grand Prix represent to you? Is it very important?

This race is key for me. I have just finished a string of six wins in a row. But I lost time and points in the Championship at the start of the season when I did not get everything together. So I am not the leader of the Championship. Now this win will be very important. On top, India is a new track. It makes it very challenging for everyone. It is fresh and interesting.

Q How did you prepare?

I already know from the simulator program that I have used several times that turn 3 will be my favourite. It goes uphill. It is very hard for every driver, uphill and 90 degrees to the right. You can’t see the next corner. This is very challenging.

Q Do you remember your first race?

No driver ever forgets their first race. I went go-karting first. In the first year, I won my first title and became rookie of the year. This earned me an incredible experience: to participate in the Al Ain final where I gained a lot of experience. It was challenging and dusty there. After that I won the Rotax Asia challenge and the Malaysia senior challenge. Then I went to Formula BMW. I have been fighting for the Meritus scholarship as well as for the 2009 Petronas experience and I have really learned a lot. I want to continue with this trend and develop more.

Q How did you meet the Meritus team?

Meritus organized different tests and several drivers were evaluated in the different test sessions. I test drove at 5 or 6 tests with Meritus. I learned a lot in Sepang as it is a very challenging track. I used thinking and experience too.

Q What is your secret to prepare for a race?

I focus and push hard and try to avoid mistakes and keep my times consistent throughout a session.

Q Are you fit too?

Yes for sure. I am in the gym every day except Saturday and Sunday because usually I have races.

Q What is your best result lately?

I won the races at the Singapore Grand Prix. It was a fantastic event. On the podium I could see the team members gathered around me. I saw the Malaysian flag. I heard the Malaysian anthem. This is all so important and I am very proud.

Q Tell us about the Indian Grand Prix?

It is a lot of work between me and my engineer. We arrive at the race and we are well prepared. A race is a lot of preparation before the race. Then we talk about the event and the set-up for the Indian race. We count on no red flags and must do as much as we can out of the 8/10 laps free practice as it is pretty short. Thirty minutes and dust is expected. That is the challenge.

Q Then Qualification session?

This is to set the race quality. The best way to communicate with engineers and it is the session where you can feel the car the best.

Q What is your best achievement until now?

Being able to drive as a full time career for the past 5 years since go-karting.

Q And school?

In the end it is not a hot subject. My family accepts and supports my choice. Zairuddin, my uncle raced in the Malaysian rally championship. Everyone knows of his deeds in Malaysia. So, somewhere racing is in the family. My best supporters are my two older sisters, Ili and Najwa.

Q Who is your toughest competitor?

Austrian Lukas Auer (who is the nephew of ex F1 Race-winner Gerhard Berger) and Nabil Jeffri are two accomplished drivers. It is very hard and tough to fight with them.

Q What is next?

If I win I move to the UK: I will be off to the Formula Renault Euro Series or British series and this will keep me pretty busy as there is a program of 40 races in a year and this I hope will allow me to get Petronas sponsorship too.

Q What is your dream overall?

I want to graduate and go all levels: F3 one season, Gp2, or Formula Renault 3.5 and finally go to F1!

Q Do you have other dreams?

I leave near KL In Kajang. So Sepang is my home track. But I won in Indonesia, I won in Singapore. Sepang is a dream to win as I still have not won at Sepang.

Q What teams inspires you in F1?

Ferrari. I love the red colour. I also like Alonso.

Q What car do you dream of?

A Lamborghini Murcialago. It has a very sexy look and the interior is awesome. It is just a complete car. One day, I wish I can buy a Ferrari.

Q By the way, who is your favourite driver?

Ayrton Senna. I believe I wanted most of his races on videos when he was driving at McLaren. He was a real champion and winning every race. And it was so much harder than nowadays with no driver’s aids. No electronics.

Indian driver RAJ

(Born Nov, 20, 1994) Will turn 18 on November 20

Started his career with 4 years of karting in India in Coimbatore and Hyderabad

Q What is a week-end like for you?

Usually I arrive on the Wednesday and leave on the Monday after the race.

Q What is your goal?

My goal is to be in the top ten in my first season. But here in India, I am very proud to be racing in front of Indian spectators. My family and home crowd will be cheering for me: My Mother and sister have travelled here to see me race. It is really a big event for India.

Q How do you organize and build your racing career?

Racing is a lot of discipline and hard work. Not only do you go to the gym everyday buy you must be clear about what you are doing.

Q What is your favourite track this season?

Indonesia. I was fast there and had a good result in the two races in P8 and P9 which means I finished in the points. It is a fast and flowing track. I like it.

Q what will the 2011 Formula 1 Airtel Grand Prix of India look like?

The new Buddh International Circuit in India is going to be a fast track with tricky corners. It is a bit like Sepang in terms of interest and technicality. The third corner is blind which I want to try. The fourth one goes downhill. It is fascinating

Q How did you learn the track?

It’s been on the simulator for a month and I have been on it as often as I could. I can reveal that my best time is a 1.22.1. Ultimately, I can’t wait. I wish to finish in the top ten.

Afiq Ikhwan wins in Singapore and makes it six wins in a row

Kuala Lumper 21st October: The final two events in the 2011 JK Racing Asia Series are set to be staged at the new Buddh International Circuit in India. The JK RACERS will arrive in New Delhi on Monday 23rd October to acclimatize  to the cooler condition that Buddh will provide them. The winner of the last six races Afiq Ikhwan (Meritus 88) will have to keep on winning in order to overhaul the championship current leader, Austrian superstar Lucas Auer who is 9 points ahead with 120 still to earn.