To back track slightly about why I’m in Malaysia we need to rewind back earlier to this year when I received a phone call from Marty.
Marty: “Hey, we’ve got this idea. Do you want to come to Sepang?”
Me: “YES!!!!!!! Count me in!”
Marty: “You don’t even know why or what the dates are?”
Me: “I don’t care, it’s been a bucket list item of mine to drive Sepang. Whatever it is, I’m there. I’ll quit my job if I have to.”
Marty: “It involves a Kei car and a 24 hr endurance race.”
Me: *Insert lots excitement noises and of swear words*
Home for the next two days, was the RAB Garage workshop in Shah Alam
Over the next few months, Marty and Blaire assembled a team of like minded friends to compete in K Car Global, a 24 hr endurance event for Kei cars at Sepang Circuit.
Not only did I never think I’d be driving around Sepang Circuit but, to be driving in an ENDURANCE RACE with KEI CARS felt like winning a lottery ticket to my version of the happiest place on earth.
Small cars litter the streets
In addition to the Blair and Marty from Mighty Car Mods – James, Isaac, Julian, Stacy and Ebony rounded out our team of drivers (half of which would also double as the mechanical team) and a super support team of Dave (behind the wiring) and Blake (behind the camera). With such a great group of humans, I knew this was going to be something really special even if we all had no idea what we were getting ourselves in for as none of us had ever competed in an endurance race before.
Wednesday 15th November, 2023: Two days before the scrutineering
The Perodua Kelisa is the Malaysian version of the Daihatsu Cuore and was purchased from Marketplace prior to our arrival. A cage had also been pre ordered from Japan and Julian and Stacy had already fitted this to the car by the time we got there.
Love heart wheels and a Hello Kitty accessorised interior
With the boys arriving the night before, we all met up on Wednesday to begin car prep in the stifling hot and thick humidity synonymous with South East Asia.
It’s 9am and everyone is already sweating profusely
A whiteboard to keep track of what had to be done.
We ended up doing more than this
With time as our enemy the boys got to work tearing the car apart. I think the only useful thing I managed to do was take the airbox off before the rest of the car was dismantled in a matter of minutes.
Equal parts blue and turd
And just like that the petite little 3cyl was out ready for a clutch and flywheel change.
Seatbelt strap is a tried and tested method for engine and box extraction
Oh man this gearbox is so cute haha.
The forklift was not used, I think Isaac or Julian moved this across with with one finger
Despite having once changed the brakes on a Daihatsu L250 we owned, it still made me chuckle seeing how micro sized everything is.
Yes, I put that whiteboard marker there for scale
Speaking of things that are cute, friendly workshop cat constantly checked on our progress
There were many cats but this one was my favourite as he let me give him pats
As the rest of the team continued to work on the mechanicals, Dave was at the back wondering what he’d gotten himself into.
‘Wiring in a Malaysian alley’ is a new one to add to his list
With little fuss, he settled in to the best seat in the house and got to work on his wiring wizardry.
Witchcraft
To further add to the unusual situation we had found ourselves in, two shops down was a lady preparing food for her restaurant next to a bunch of frantic Australians trying to put a car together for a race.
Alfresco food prep
Back at the workshop, our amazing team manager and Stacy kept us hydrated and fed during the day.
Gon Lo Mein
Everyone’s favourite drink of the trip.
This post is not sponsored by 100 plus
At this point, I would also like to call out that I now suspect that Isaac might not be human. Does he need the things us mere mortals require for survival?
I say that with the utmost respect because the pace at which he worked and his knowledge was phenomenal. I don’t’ think he would’ve stopped to eat or drink unless he was forced to!
What an absolute weapon and a gem of a human
By the end of the day, we all knew how this kitty felt. Exhausted but with a lot accomplished, we called it for the day.
Adorable
Thursday 16th November, 2023: One day before scrutineering
With the clock counting down and knowing the car had to be finished and ready for scrutineering at Sepang on Friday, it was full steam ahead.
Originally from Malaysia, Julian knew every Malaysian workshop trick in the book and is a gun of a mechanic!
As you can see in the background of this photo, the coil overs and new headers are in and more parts were being unboxed.
Our tiny oil cooler was in this box
Stacy and I went off to the tyre shop to have the AD09’s fitted on the “Fuddyclub P1’s.”
I’ve actually never driven on AD09’s so keen to see how they go compared to the AD08’s
While the workshop supervisor kept a watchful eye on proceedings.
He also likes taking dumps in the bolt box
Dave was also having success in his department and I can’t help but be amused by the fact that the first time I’m driving a car with a fancy IC-7 dash is in a Perodua.
Racey
I’m not sure what Dave is doing here but, I do know that the screen is not flashing “DANGER TO MANIFOLD” so this looks like it’s going well.
Lucky Dave knows what he’s doing
As the afternoon suddenly approached, the boys provided a status update for the viewers at home.
Pensive
And after that, it was all hands on deck again.
Fluid change and oil cooler fitted
Replacement hoses were also ordered and delivered promptly via scooter courier.
Uber Hoses>Uber Eats
The seat brackets for our seat rail never arrived but luckily we were able to acquire a different one and installing the seats and harness were next on the agenda.
Fecaro
Malaysian Blue Turd was then sent to off on errands to the exhaust shop and to get a planned wheel alignment however, the work required at the exhaust shop took longer than expected and there was no time for an alignment. This would now need to be done track side tomorrow.
The in car lighting had also been wired up
The brakes were bled and the final checks occurred to get this car to a state where it could be at least driven to the track.
Warp speed
As we were discussing that our car looked a bit plain, we were conveniently alerted to the fact that the car accessories shop next store had a variety of Kelisa wings for us to choose from.
Of course, this was an upsell that no one objected to and he even helped install it for us.
Local wing enthusiast
It’s been a hectic two days with a lot of hours put in from the team. We’re now ready-ish to head to Sepang tomorrow.
Noisy Ninja 