The Selangor Grand Prix which was actually known as a race held at the end of the year at the Shah Alam Circuit in Malaysia. Something rather special but something to be known as it was quite an unusual place to see the so-called Super Saloons.
Funny is that through the years and various research done on Group 5 cars, Zakspeed, BMW 320s and so on, I had stumbled across a number of pictures of a few Group 5 or Special Saloons being raced somewhere in Asia. Interesting as well is that being a fan of Roberto Ravaglia and BMW I had found a picture of a BMW 320 Group 5 in “Extreme” form with his name on and with a JPS livery but I could not find or figure where this had been taken.
Following on a share and a little help from friends on facebook, I gathered information regarding a race held in 1985, in Malaysia and that would I presume be no other than the Shah Alam, Selangor Grand Prix. Interesting as well is that the same year, on the 01.12.1985, the World Sports Car Championship visited the circuit for the so-called Selangor 800KM.
The only time that an FIA World Championship would visit Malaysia before the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix first took place in 1999 at the Sepang track. But still, the track remained well-known in the motorcycle community as it hosted numerous Grand Prix and World Championship Superbike rounds between 1991-1997.
Back to touring cars though, quite interesting, and from the late sixties to the eighties, a Super Saloon race was held there at the end of the year as well as the Tasman series visiting, various Formula Libre races were held as well and I guess, start money or prize money was interesting as it attracted quite a few number of European, Aussie drivers to compete against the local stars.
And the cars, well, it proved quite interesting with all sorts of cars coming up, from the Group 2 and Group 5 Escorts and Datsun to the later BMW M1 and its Schnitzer Turbo version seen in the DRM as well as a pack of Porsche RSR, 935 and later BMW 320 Group 5. As said, it was all about “Super Saloons” so I guess, as long as it could fit a category, it was permitted to race.
Interesting as well is the link wit the Macau Guia Race as quite a number of cars that went there or ended up in that region were possibly on their way to the famous street circuit as well. Great is that the Armin Hahne Zakspeed Escort Group 5 car that raced there in 1978 and on was found years ago by an Australian who did restore the car to its period specification and now campaigns the car down under.
Anyway, enjoy the gallery and if you have anything else on these races, please let me know. Results, pictures, entry lists, programs, anything is welcome. Cheers.
Historic Motor Sport Central. 
I raced at that meeting in a BMW 635 which was a originally a group 2 in Europe then to Australia as an Australian group c It was a JPS car run by BMW AUSTRALIA and I purchased it from BMW and raced it as a sports sedan. After that meeting I left the car in Malaysia for 3months and went back to race at Shah Alam and 2weeks later in Penang
Hello I’m doing some research on a car that raced at the 1985 Selangor event being a Nissan Datsun 910 Bluebird (the one that raced in Australia between 1981 and 1984) was entered by B Peacock of Western Australia, any information or photos would be greatly appreciated
Regards
Adam
Unfortunately, no information on that.
I’m very confused……. I was lead hear whilst looking for info about a GP race I was at between 1983-1985 in Malaysia, I was around 12 or 13. My father was an Australian diplomat and we had a 3 year posting in KL. The reason we went to this event was because Wayne Gardner was racing in it and I took many photos of him. For the life of me I can’t find any info that there was a race on at that time and Malaysia didn’t even have a moto gp event until 1991…… I now my memory is bad, but this is making me feel insane! The ironic thing now is that you mentioned touring cars and show pics of BMW s etc….. Before my father became a diplomat he was general sales manager of BMW Australia, he virtually brought BMW to Australia and was poached from Ford in the early 80s. He was responsible for the jps sponsorship, the hiring of Frank Gardner and Jim Richards, and the firing of Alan Grice, he also put BMW on sale of the century LOL….. just to name a few……. so I find this thread interesting and am now wondering why we weren’t at these races in Malaysia…… or maybe we were……!! Help!