By Cheryl Tay

THREE months ago, Daim Hishammudin was crowned the 2009 Rotax Max Challenge Asia champion (MicroMax class).

This championship title however, did not come easy at all.

"The year has been full of challenges. I was down with deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in July and had to be hospitalised for two weeks," recalled the Yahama SL Cup 2008 Cadet Champion.

"I stayed in bed all day and was given two jabs a day for six weeks. After I was discharged, my mummy administered the jabs to me every day."

Daim was leading the Rotax Max Challenge Asia series and had to quickly regain his strength and fitness after this bout of DVT so he could return to racing and maintain his lead.

Adding on to his problems was a new technical crew that he had to get used to.

Just eight points ahead of his closest rival, Indonesian Rafif Rabani, Daim had to finish no lower than 10th position at the final of the 2009 Rotax Max Challenge Asia to clinch the overall title.

After a rainy practice session, technical issues with his kart and a less-than-ideal sixth place in qualifying, an intensely-stressful race concluded with Daim in 10th place, narrowly edging out his nearest contenders to top the MicroMax class and emerge champion.

"I was recovering from DVT and my kart wasn't consistent, hence I struggled in the closing races. But everything has worked out well in the end and 2009 has been a great season."

This year, Daim raced for professional Malaysian motorsports outfit BHPetrol.Iru1 all five rounds of the Rotax Max Challenge Malaysia, all four rounds of the Rotax Max Challenge Asia, round four of AAM KKS Malaysian Karting Championship and the last round of the Yamaha SL Cup.

His last race for the year will be the Rotax International Race on 22 Nov at the Sepang Go-Kart Circuit.

Transfer

The New Paper understands that Daim will be transferring to another team for the 2010 season.

"Daim was approached by two teams at the end of the Rotax Max season. Together with his manager, we assessed the situation thoroughly, bearing in mind at all times that Daim must feel comfortable with any decision made.

"We have decided to take up one of the team's offers. Talks are now in the final stages and we should have confirmation before the end of this month," said Hishammudin Hasan, 39, father of Daim.

This article was first published in The New Paper.