On August 24, AirAsia, Asia's leading and largest low cost carrier announced that they would be partnering the Hong Leong-Kencana Racing Team in the 2007 edition of the Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race 2007 (MMER). As part of AirAsia's global link with AT&T Williams F1 Racing Team; the objective of this association is to develop and support the local Malaysian Motorsports racing teams to further excel in the sport as well as continuously leverage AirAsia's brand image in the local motorsports arena. The Hong Leong-Kencana Racing Team is set to soar with the support of AirAsia in one of the hottest races in the country, taking place at our very own internationally designed racing circuit in Malaysia.

The team will be supported by the famed German racing team, Farnbacher Racing which will be providing this year's challenger; the formidable Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Apart from the car, Farnbacher will also be providing one driver and a team of technicians to handle the technical side and strategy management of the team. The team will be racing in the Open category for the MMER; which is the highest ranking car category among the rest as it comprises standard and modified cars of 2000cc and above.

The driver line up will be Dato' Mokhzani Mahathir, Chairman of Jaseri Automotive Group Sdn Bhd, Sven Herberger (both of which campaigned in the 2006 edition of the MMER with a 3rd place result) and Lars Erik Nielsen from Farnbacher Racing. Lars who also is the owner of this year's car brings to the team much experience in endurance racing. He had also finished 3rd in Class at the 2007 LeMans 24 hours race and is a regular competitor at endurance races.

Commenting on AirAsia's support for the team, Dato' Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia Berhad said: "We can see the synergy that exists between Hong Leong-Kencana Racing Team and AirAsia. The team will be racing one of the fastest cars with capable top drivers around. Thus, both share a relentless pursuit for excellence and both intend to deliver where it matters most. Apart from our relationship with AT&T Williams F1 racing team; towards building the AirAsia brand across the globe, our commitment towards supporting our local Malaysian sports talent will always be a continuous effort."

"We are proud to associate ourselves with an august team at one of the hottest race in Malaysia; the Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race 2007. In fact, we have been supporting Muzamil Mohamad and his team; our very own AirAsia pilot in the same Merdeka Millennium Endurance race every year. This partnership with Hong Leong-Kencana Racing team will associate our very own AirAsia staff with Jaseri Racing to participate in their driver's development programme and encourage him to realize his dreams in becoming a better driver. We hope that it brings great benefits and exposure for Muzamil's future career development in the motorsports racing arena." added Tony.

Team principal of Jaseri Racing, Dato' Mokhzani Mahathir adds: "We are also pleased to have AirAsia with us. We are confident that this partnership will bring a fantastic result for both AirAsia and the Hong Leong-Kencana Racing Team. With teams from as far as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and many other Asian destinations, this partnership is advantageous for AirAsia in its efforts to expose the AirAsia brand to these countries. Like AirAsia, we at Jaseri Racing also places emphasis on efficiency without compromise and getting things done with the least fuss."

AirAsia recently bagged the Best low Cost Airline in Asia 2007 Award by SkyTrax Research of London and was awarded the Airline Human Capital Development Strategy Award by Frost and Sullivan; a global growth Consulting Company in recognition of the airline's demonstration of excellence in improving their training quality and human capital development within the industry. AirAsia continues to grow by offering truly low fares, exceptional services and innovative products to further leverage their brand both locally and internationally.