Manchester-based racing driver, Michael Bentwood has been selected to participate in the prestigious Sepang 12-hour race on the 5-7th August.
The experienced endurance specialist was selected by Aston Martin DBRS9 owner, Frank Yu, who wanted to drive alongside a successful pro-racer to give him the best set-up data and performance. Bentwood, who has been racing GT3 specification DBRS9s for more than five years was a natural choice because of his success and experience with the Barwell Motorsport team.

2010 is the 11th time the Merdeka Millenium Endurance Race has been run at the Sepang International Circuit and this year will feature more professional drivers than ever before. Like its German counterpart, the Nurburgring 24-hour race in Germany, the Sepang event features a very broad range of cars, from 1000cc Perodua Kenaris, to World Touring cars and FIA GT racers like Bentwood’s Aston Martin.

The high heat and humidity of Sepang is a vicious test over such a long race, but Bentwood is confident his dedication to his fitness will pay dividends, commenting: “I am delighted to have been selected by Frank to race in the Sepang 12-hours in his car. I seem to be regarded as something of a specialist in the DBRS9, which is an excellent accolade. The cockpit temperatures in the car will be extreme in Sepang, but I am relentless with my fitness training and that has paid dividends in previous races in extreme conditions.

This race will mark 10 years of my association with Arai helmet who have given me valuable and excellent support all through my career. While working with Arai I have driven BTCC, F3000, GTs and F3 cars and I am glad to be using the best equipment available in an area I can’t afford to take chances.”

Bentwood will be fitting the Sepang race in around his Avon Tyres British GT Championship commitments, where he will be back in action on the 5th June at the Belgian F1 circuit, Spa Francorchamps.