MOTORSPORT: Kelly wins first Malaysian V8SC event

carsales.com.au V8
Supercars driver Todd Kelly has scored pole position and a race win in
the three-race five-car demonstration held at the inaugural KL City
Grand Prix street race in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur over the
weekend.

But Ford Falcon driver Chaz Mostert won two races and
finished on top of the points pile. Scott McLaughlin (Volvo) was second
overall, with Will Davison (Erebus) and Craig Lowndes (Red Bull)
completing the field.

While the demos were presented beforehand
as a preview taster for a full championship round at the venue next
year, the deal does not now appear to be guaranteed.

There are
now question marks over timing of the event, with the organisers talking
about moving forward from August to April, May or June 2016 to separate
further from the Malaysian Grand Prix – which will be held in
September.

The facilities at the street circuit will also have to
be improved, with the V8s housed in marquees in pitlane this year.
According to motorsport website speedcafe.com.au, the organisers cannot
guarantee the permanent pit garages that would allow mid-race refuelling
and tyre changes, or the corporate entertainment facilities V8
Supercars is pushing for.

Earlier this year V8 Supercars boss
James Warburton announced a heads of agreement to conduct a championship
round for four years from 2016 at the KL event, although it was made
clear the final arrangements would only be sorted after last weekend's
preview.

But he was bullish about 2016 when speaking to
Malaysian outlet The Star Online: “We are looking forward to bringing
our full team next year, together with 10,000 Australians to watch the
event,” he said.