Malaysia’s Hayden Haikal proved he has what it takes to move up the ranks in the Thailand Super Series Championship when he raced to victory in his first ever drive in a Mercedes-Benz AMG GT4. His victory also gave the newly-minted Racing Aurora – a Malaysian team – its first GT4 Class and international win.

The 19-year-old completed the 1-hour + 1 lap race around the 4.554km Chang International Circuit, 26 seconds clear of his nearest contender K. Kantadhee in a Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.

Having competed and finishing third in the Super Eco Class 30 minutes earlier, Hayden joined The Super Series Supercar GT4 race 27 minutes after the start, taking over from his Racing Aurora team mate Peter Hackett at the mid-point compulsory driver change. Up to that point, Kantadhee had been in the lead with an 8-second advantage.

In a series of events that unfolded during the stop, AAS Motorport’s Kantadhee was held back in the pit as mechanics worked to remove a delaminated wrap on his bonnet, while another contender, the ZW Zoomies pair of P. Prakhun and A. Warren in another Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport was slapped with a 2-second stop-and-go penalty for breaching the minimum pit stop time limit.

Unaware of these incidents, Hayden piled on the pressure at the head of the GT4 pack gradually extending his lead from a mere 8 seconds to finish well clear of any opposition.

“Pulling double duty (competing in the Super Eco and GT4 Class) and to come away with my first race win in GT4 is just a phenomenal feeling and I would like to thank Peter (Hackett), Racing Aurora and sponsors for making all of this possible,” said Hayden.

“I look forward to this being the start of a strong season ahead for both the team and I.”

Race 2 tomorrow (Sunday 5, May) will see Hayden starting the race before handing over to Hackett, who was the 2001 Australian Formula 3 champion.