KEY POINTS:
Win the Sepang race and become A1GP champion. Well, that's how it has worked for the entire, three-year history of the World Cup of motorsport - with France, Germany and Switzerland winning in Malaysia.
It's a coincidence, but whoever wins the feature race today will fancy themselves with
that kind of tradition. Whoever wins this weekend will be keen on the idea that history repeats.
Series leader Malaysia are buoyed by their current position and hope to keep the momentum up as they head into the two-month long break that follows this race. Driver Fairuz Fauzy admits the team is aware of the expectations of the home crowd, but sees that as good for the team.
"Racing at our home circuit gives us an extra buzz," he said. "The tremendous support we're given may add to the pressure but it's a positive for us, it fires us all up, the adrenalin pumps and it really helps."
While most of the teams are still coming to grips with the new A1 Ferrari-powered racer, most predict the car will be driven to its fullest potential in terms of all-out speed.
"Sepang will be the perfect track for the new A1GP car, with its long straights and sweeping corners" Fauzy enthused. "We'll achieve top speeds we haven't seen yet and with the PowerBoost we should reach in excess of 300km/h. I think it will be a real favorite with all the drivers and I know I can't wait to put the car through its paces here."
Defending champion Neel Jani knows the challenges of doing well at this track having finished in the top five in all but one of the six races on this internationally renown course.
"I have a lot of fond memories of Malaysia", said Jani. "I also have come to know the changeable weather. Two years ago, I led all the way in the sprint race in the morning in excellent conditions. The weather changed just before the feature race so that we had to start behind the safety car in pouring rain. And in 2007, we found out that it can also be incredibly hot."
Despite his success at this track Jani doesn't see himself as top dog heading into this event.
"A1GP is really close right now and you do what you can to make a step to improve the car and the set-up to your driving style, so you have a little the edge over the rest."
New Zealand, fourth in the standings after two races, have a fine chance of success with Earl Bamber driving Black Beauty - he has extensive experience at this circuit for one so young. New Zealand qualified eighth after practice but all except four of the 20 teams are using a rookie driver.
The American team brought in newly signed American junior series standout J.R. Hildebrand while Australia added Ashley Walsh, an Australian Motorsports Federation rising star award winner.
