Malaysian Super Series (MSS) champion Dilantha Malagamuwa has issued an early warning to his rivals; declaring that he was ready to defend his Supercar Championship overall crown next year and that he was determined to be the MSS Hattrick Man.

Immediately after successfully defending his Supercar crown, the Sri Lankan driver declared that he was already figuring out plans for 2008 and that he had set a target of a third consecutive MSS title.

“The mission will be to win the title again next year. It’s not going to be easy as I am made to understand that there would be some top new drivers taking part in the series next year,” said Dilantha, who swept aside the local challenge of Wira Dani Daim to win the 2007 overall title at Sepang Circuit yesterday.

“I am told that the Porsche Club would be coming in strong next year and I am pretty sure that Wira and his Fugazi Racing Team would be even stronger next year,” said Dilantha, who ended the five-round championship with a total haul of 185 points.

“But, that was what it should be. The event is great and I am happy that it is growing. It’s going to be an even more exciting season next year and I am ready for the challenge,” said Dilantha, adding that he would hoping to challenge for the Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race (MME) title as well.

“Yes, I will be competing in the MME along with all the five rounds of the MSS here. It’s always a pleasure to come to Malaysia and I always find reasons to race in Sepang,” said Dilantha, adding that he would also be competing in the Dubai 24Hour Endurance race next year.

Making his debut in the MSS this season, Wira Dani needed to beat Dilantha in both Race 1 and Race 2 in the season-ending Round 5 yesterday to have any chance of denying the Sri Lankan driver his second overall title. Instead, it was Dilantha who took the double victory and Wira cursing his luck.

After finishing second in Race 1, his Radical SR8 machine stalled at the starting grid of the second race; forcing him to start from the pitlane. His mechanics were unable to solve the problem at the pitlane and Wira was forced to withdraw.

“These are all part of racing. Sometimes, you just ran out of luck, no matter how much preparation you have made. Anyway, we am happy to finish second overall in my first season and hopefully we can climb one more notch next season,” Wira Dani added.

K. Perajun defended his Supercompact title in dramatic style in the final round of the season after he was slapped a 30-minute penalty for unsporting behaviour after winning Race 1, which then saw him dropping to second place behind Syazril Amri – the man who Perajun rammed into from behind midway through the race.

Perajun, however, was a clean winner in Race 2 and the additional 20 points took his total haul to 110 championship points; crowning his as the 2007 champion in the battle of the sub-1000cc compact cars.

Boy Wong Yew Choong retained the Supersixteen title with a massive 150 points despite missing one of the rounds. But, his mission to win the Supersaloon title was thwarted by his great rival and 2003 Supersixteen winner, Eddie Lew of JC Racing.

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