9th April, Kuala Lumpur – Faidzal Shahril b. Alang Abdul Rahman (Faidzal Alang) won first place in Malaysia’ s first ever rally reality TV show “Malaysia’s Next Rally Champion, Zero.2.Hero” which was aired on Astro Ria over the past five weeks and culminated in the winner’s being announced last night.

Faidzal Alang’s prize is a rally-prepared Proton car, Silverstone tyres, a Rally competition license from the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) and free entry in the Malaysian Rally Championship (MRC) 2009 season which kicks off this weekend at Cyberjaya.

Faidzal and his co-driver Mohd. Hazwan b. Fauzi of Team Feinto-D beat 15 other teams to finish top of the points table and take home the Reality TV Champions’ title.

“We were very excited and pleased to win,” 27 year-old Faidzal Alang said. “Our hard work and determination paid off. Now our excitement has turned into nerves as we prepare for our debut in the MRC.”

The pair will drive a Proton Satria 1.6 which will be delivered to them this evening (Thursday). They then have Friday to practice before the official flag-off on Saturday at 12noon.

“We’ll have to work fast to get a feel for the car and the Stages. It’s not going to be easy,” said Faidzal Alang. “Our aim is to make sure we complete all the SS and get the car to the finish line in one piece.”

In this difficult economic environment the lucky pair has also managed to secure sponsors. FA Racing is managing them. 5RJ Event is handling their marketing. ASAHI Suspension is providing spare parts. RACE is providing technical services and a service crew and The Briyani Taipan will provide them with food and drinks. Not bad for newcomers!

The public can watch Faidzal Alang and Mohd. Hazwan battle through the three Special Stages which are situated in an open area in downtown Cyberjaya giving spectators 100% visibility. Spectator maps can be downloaded from www.malaysianrally.com

The second and third place winners of the rally reality TV show will also compete in this weekend’s competition. Azmeer Yusri Yusof (driver) will be partnering with co-driver Mohd Rafidi Wahidudin (MRC Clubman Champion 2008) and Christie Goh Siau Hoon (co-driver) who’s team finished third, will navigate for Hee Yep Heng ,who competed in the MRC 2008 season.

Clerk of the Course for the Championship, Tengku Shaharin Abu Bakar Almarhum Tengku Suleiman said he is delighted that there are fresh faces in the MRC. “Our ultimate aim is to encourage more young drivers and co-drivers to take part in the Rally in the hope that we can unearth new talent. The Astro reality TV show, “Zero.2.Hero” has increased the mass appeal of Rally. As a result we already have 15 newcomers signed up for this weekend’s Round and we anticipate a great turnout from the public to support them.”

The 2009 Championship season will consist of five Rounds including the Asia Pacific Rally Championship Round to be held in Johor in August.