Malaysia Racetrack Project Presents Multiple Paving Challenges
The Jeffrey Cheah Circuit, in Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia, is a premium facility designed to deliver a world-class motorsport experience. Operating much like a golf country club, it offers car and motorcycle enthusiasts access to a professional grade racetrack.
Legendary track architect Hermann Tilke designed the course. At its core is a 4.5-km circuit with 23 turns – an exacting layout that pushes the limits of even the most skilled drivers.
Those same twists and turns also created significant paving demands. MH Road Builders Sdn Bhd, based in Tampin, Malaysia, was tasked with construction, which required seamless joints and exceptional smoothness.
Early Technology Adoption
MH Road Builders’ preparation for such precision work began years earlier. In 2018, Managing Director Ian Chong made a strategic decision to invest in ABG pavers, consciously selecting the brand for its quality and paving performance. To further enhance accuracy, he also invested in the Big Sonic Ski levelling system from MOBA, an industry leading sensor technology that enabled the company to take on increasingly complex paving projects across Malaysia.
Acquiring the advanced MOBA levelling technology and the Ammann ABG 6870 Wheeled Paver, reflects MH Road Builders’ commitment to advancing Malaysia’s roadbuilding sector. The company believes that adopting innovative equipment helps drive progress across the entire industry. MH Road Builders takes great pride in its leadership and pioneering role in Malaysia.
Subsequent work – including major highways and a high-speed test track for a Malaysian car manufacturer – allowed MH Road Builders to refine both its processes and equipment. By the time work began on the Jeffrey Cheah Circuit, the team was well equipped for the technical challenge.
Screed Performance
Central to the project was the pre-compaction and paving quality provided by the ABG VB 88 Tamper Screed. The tamper delivered immediate density, which preserved surface integrity and lessened the need for compaction later. Additionally, the screed’s advanced heating system provided consistent temperatures from the beginning of paving until the end. Additionally, the screed’s advanced heating system provided consistent temperatures across the full screed.
According to Ian Chong, the asphalt mat behind the screed was so pre compacted that it could be walked on immediately – without leaving footprints.
Paver Technology
The ABG 6870 Wheeled Paver was selected for its mobility, reflecting MH Road Builder’s frequent involvement in road maintenance projects where quick relocation is essential.
On this job, traction was closely monitored to ensure the wheeled machine could handle fully loaded hoppers. “The paver did so without any problem,” Chong noted. “The ABG all-wheel drive helped here.”
The ABG 6870 provided several advantages.
Its intuitive control system delivered real-time data, allowing operators to precisely manage key functions such as auger speed and material flow.
The front-wheel suspension absorbed surface irregularities – such as material dropped by trucks – rather than transferring them. This reduced the need for external leveling systems and contributed to a smoother final surface.
ABG’s proprietary Soft Dock technology minimised the impact of trucks as they connected to the paver.
Most important: reliability
Exacting Execution
Paving was conducted at a width of 6 meters. The team first placed a 60-mm binder course, followed by a 50-mm wearing course, both over a meticulously prepared base.
Echelon paving ensured that longitudinal joints were compacted while still hot, maximising smoothness. Pre-compaction remained a priority throughout, with the screed’s tamper system helping to minimise settlement and maintain the intended profile.
Compaction followed a structured sequence. An Ammann ARX 91 double-drum roller handled initial compaction, followed by a three-wheeled pneumatic roller to refine density, and finally a static tandem roller for finishing.
Other Hurdles
Logistics were demanding. The asphalt-mixing plant was located more than 50 km away, requiring tight coordination to maintain a steady supply of hot mix for the tandem operation.
Before the project began, MH Road Builders worked smartly to prevent issues. Comprehensive maintenance of equipment was completed and operators received thorough training. Crews were not only skilled in machine operation but also capable of on-site troubleshooting and repairs. Accessible service points and easily replaceable filters on Ammann machines further increased uptime.
But the team could not anticipate Malaysia’s weather conditions, which are notoriously unpredictable. Fortunately, only one day of heavy rain disrupted the eight-day project.
Conclusion
The successful completion of the Jeffrey Cheah Circuit was the result of careful planning, advanced technology, and disciplined execution.
The Big Sonic-Ski system granted exceptional smoothness, while the ABG paver and screed delivered consistent pre-compaction and material control.
The result is a circuit that meets the highest expectations at every turn – delivered with Ammann Equipment by MH Road Builders Malaysia.
If you would like to learn more about this project or discuss your own requirements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
