Wanganui motor racer Earl Bamber made a sizzling debut in the blistering heat of the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia by finishing third in the first leg of Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2013 (PCCA).
The race, which was one of the supporting events for the Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix, was definitely the hottest race on the calendar as track temperatures soared to over 40 Celsius.
Driving for Nexus Racing team, the Malaysian-based Kiwi stunned many by qualifying on the front row in second place. Qualifying was held in difficult conditions with a heavy shower just one hour before the session leaving the track damp in many places.
"We knew we had a very strong car and that the track would be dry at the end of the session," Bamber said.
"However, we didn't get the best from our first set of tyres due to rain before qualifying began. But I knew we would get close to pole."
Bamber, who missed pole by only 0.3 of a second, was extremely happy to qualify on the front row.
"It has been a huge team effort to even make it on to the grid and the result was absolutely fantastic. I can't thank Nexus Racing and everyone behind us enough and this is a great way to repay their support with a front row start for the race."
At the start Bamber got a strong jump off the line and had his nose in front going into turn one, but it was not enough to get around pole sitter Martin Ragginger. Bamber then had a heated battle with Alexandre Imperatori, the reigning PCCA champion, who managed to overtake Bamber at turn five.
"We had good pace at the start of the race and when I was behind Alex, I waited to see if there would be any opportunity for me to pass him but it never did arise. But I am still extremely happy to finish on the podium in my first ever race in the PCCA and can't wait to build on this result at the next round."
Bamber now stands third in the championship with 16 points, five points behind round one winner Ragginger and three points off second-placed Imperatori.
The next edition of the 2013 PCCA championship will also be held as a support event to the Formula One race which will be held in Shanghai on April 12-14. The PCCA Championship calendar also includes races in Zuhai, Ordos, Korea and Singapore before the season finale in Shanghai in October.
Bamber's journey
Wanganui born-and-bred, Bamber began his journey into motorsports at the age of eight when he started go-karting.
After winning numerous championships in New Zealand and finishing third at the Rotax Max World Championship in 2005, he graduated to single seater racing by taking part in Formula Ford and Formula BMW Asia. In 2006, Bamber was crowned as the rookie and overall champion in the Formula BMW Asia. Following that, he competed in the Toyota Racing Series in the 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 edition where he was overall runner-up in his second season of the championship and at the same time, he was also the International Championship winner. In the same year he also won the coveted Lady Wigram Trophy and was awarded the Steel Trophy for his achievements as a junior driver in New Zealand.
Additionally, Bamber was also the runner-up in the Formula V6 Asia Championship. Also in 2008, Bamber was the A1 GP junior driver for Team New Zealand before making his way to become a senior driver in 2009 where he took two podium finishes in his debut race.
Bamber also took part in the Shanghai leg of the GP2 Asia race in 2009 and finished second. He then made his return to New Zealand in the Toyota Racing Series and won the 2010 New Zealand Grand Prix and finished second in the championship.