STRENGTH in numbers sometimes determines the outcome of a battle.

The more support you get on thebattlefield, the more likely you will win.

On the race track, the same theoryapplies.

For the newly-formed Singtrek race team, pooling their resources and taking part in the Malaysian Super Series (MSS) will, they hope, result in some wins in2008.

Said the Singapore team manager, MrShahlan Saim, 39: 'We have a better chance of getting podium positions as a team rather than fighting it out alone as privateers.

'When the riders' logistics are handled by a team, their minds will be free to just concentrate on the racing. I hope that with good results, we will be able to canvass for more sponsors in the following year.'

As a racer, Mr Shahlan knows the difficulties.

In the late '90s, he struggled on his own, with minimal support for the Johor Race Series held at the Pasir Gudang circuit.

This year's MSS race, which starts on 13 Apr, will see a packed grid of more than 30 riders for the Supersport (600cc) class.

Four of the five riders from Singtrek will be riding 600cc Yamaha R6 sportbikes.

Their ages range from 22 to 40, and they have varying racing experience.

The fifth rider will be racing a 1,000cc Yamaha R1 for the Superbike class.

Said rider Safarin Hasibon, 31: 'After round one, we will have a better picture of who our rivals are. We will also know where we need to improve to excel on the track.'

Mr Safarin was third overall in the Supersport class last year.

Given how expensive racing is, the team has been lucky so far because of the sponsorship it hasgarnered.

It expects to spend about $7,000 for each round on the five-round MSS race.

The bulk of the expenditure would go to items like tyres, oils, fuel, transportation, race registration and hotel bills.

One of the first bike dealers to help the team was Hodaka Motorworld, said Mr Shahlan.

Hodaka spokesman Kenji Lim, 30, said: 'We know that younger riders sometimes have difficulties finding sponsorship from dealers.

GROOMING THE YOUNG

'Our company's perspective is to groom young riders so that they will hopefully be able to excel in the sport.

'It's amazing that the MSS races (supersport class) have turned into a popular race with Singapore bikers, who form 70 percent of the grid.

'We just want to show our support for therace.'

Mr Shahlan revealed that Hodaka has absorbed all cost for parts and workmanship, greatly reducing the cost of racing, while lubricant company Motul is fully sponsoring the team's lubrication needs.

Mr Safarin's strong connection with a past sponsor, Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak, has also benefited the team in terms of sponsorship.

With the biggest hurdles crossed, MrShahlan said the real work needs to be done on the track.

Practice sessions have been held at Sepang, focusing on the riders' stamina andtactics.

Said Mr Shahlan: 'At this stage, it's not really important how fast the riders are. What I would like to see is commitment and discipline from theteam.'

Singtrek is not the only team being formed.

Local Superbike class rider Shaiful Bahari has formed a team called Team Looi's Motor/Metzeler with fiveother riders.

Said Mr Shaiful, 36, who will be racing the Supersport class this year on a 600Honda: 'As a team, our efforts on the race track will look more professional now.

'With similar race colours on our bikes and support from our sponsors, we can show others that we're more organised and ready for the season.'

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