KLANG: Kegani Racing Academy, a four-wheel motorsports training and education centre based in Klang, Selangor, launched the SKILLDRVN Swift One-make Series featuring the Suzuki Swift Sport.
In attendance was Kegani Racing Academy principal and founder Kenny Lee together with Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) founder and president Adian Yein.
"The local motorsports scene has been lacking a grassroots entry-level series that emphasises purely on a driver's skill along with succession path for a racer's career," said Lee who has over 20 years of racecar driving under his belt.
"We see this new race series as the future successor to the current Saga Cup and these race series will start alongside each other," said Adian.
Lee said the Swift Sport was chosen for its relatively low cost to acquire along with his familiarity with the vehicle and its plethora of spare parts despite its age.
"The purpose of this affordable race series is to create a new generation of drivers in terms of standards before they go racing," explained Lee.
The one-make race series featuring the Suzuki Swift Sport will make its inaugural debut with four rounds beginning from June 10 to 11 at Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
Round Two will be held from July 29 to 30, followed by Round Three from Sept 16 to 17 and finally Round Four from Oct 21 to 22. For 2024, the race series is expected to have five rounds instead.
Touted as an affordable one-make race series, it is open to all Swift Sport generations that uses a five-speed manual transmission to manage the 1.6-litre (1,586cc) M16A engine producing 125hp at 6,800rpm and 148Nm of torque at 4,800rpm.
Lee said the Swift Sport's performance will remain stock with about 120hp driving the front wheels.
"With the exception of a drop-in air filter, just safety and racing equipment as per FIA regulations will go into the car and the Engine Control Unit (ECU) will be untouched. Nothing else can be tampered with," said Lee.
At present, the academy has 12 Swift Sport owners of ages ranging from 18 to 50 already signed up, of which nine have already been trained and their cars prepared by the academy to see some racing action.
"As the number of drivers increases, it will eventually get its own start and we look forward to its growth and progression," said Adian.
Lee explained the course can take three to six months to complete since it includes practical on-track sessions at SIC which will depend on its availability.
To prepare the vehicle, Lee said it will cost Swift Sport owners some RM33,000 to complete and this includes training, equipment, parts, lubricants and support.
This includes a limit of eight Hankook Motorsports tyres for the season, Bendix brake pads, a choice of either Total Energies or RS Lubricants engine oils and services from KJ Brake Performance.
Once racing starts, racers will only need to pay RM3,500 per round which includes tyres, fuel and brake pads among others.
In addition to the trophies, winners will be given parts from the sponsors of the race series to help cover the expenses for next season.
Aside from damages acquired from car-to-car action, on-site race support and assistance to drivers will be provided for mechanical issues.
"A succession plan is already in the works and once we reach about 50 cars, we can start to graduate some drivers to higher-powered cars," said Lee about his future plans.
Lee hopes to attract and encourage more female drivers to participate with 16 ladies currently in training.
Through Lee's SKILLDRVN Speed Angels Programme, he hopes it will help to field 10 female racers in the 2024 season and eventually set up an all-female race series in the future.
