Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA delivered a strong performance to secure victory in Race 2 of the MSBK1000 A category during Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. The race got off with Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT and Kasma made their moves from the front row, but it was Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM who emerged ahead to take control of the opening lap. Adam Norrodin of AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT slotted into fourth position, with Abhijith Satya Prasad of RACEHUB RACING TEAM completing the early top-five order. Adenanta maintained his advantage into Lap 2, with Kasma staying close behind and immediately searching for an opportunity to challenge. Despite an early attempt from the Yamaha rider, Adenanta defended his position strongly to keep the lead. However, Kasma’s pace continued to improve as the race progressed. On Lap 3, the Malaysian rider produced the fastest lap of the race at 2’08.231s before making a decisive move on Adenanta to take over the lead. From there, Kasma began building his advantage, setting another fastest lap on Lap 4 with a stunning 2’07.638s as he looked to break away from the chasing pack. Behind the leader, Adenanta continued his pursuit while Adam maintained third place ahead of Azlan, who remained within striking distance and constantly searching for an opportunity to move into the podium positions. Abhijith continued his consistent run inside the top five. By Lap 6, Kasma had extended his lead, with Adenanta trailing by 2.755s. Despite pushing hard, the Indonesian rider was unable to close the gap, although he recorded an impressive top speed of 291.90kph on Lap 9 in his attempt to challenge for victory. On final lap, Kasma remained composed at the front while Adenanta held second position and Adam faced intense pressure from his own teammate Azlan. Adam successfully defended his position until the chequered flag, securing the final podium spot. Kasma crossed the finish line victorious with a winning time of 21’29.916s, followed by Adenanta in second at 21’33.136s, while Adam completed the podium in third with 21’35.977s. Kasma stated, “Alhamdulillah, winning was definitely my target coming into this race. We knew Adenanta was not at 100% yet, especially after the injury he suffered during the Suzuka 8 Hours, but I see this as a good training opportunity for both of us as we prepare for ARRC Round 4.” “During the race, I wasn’t able to push as much as I wanted, and my pace was not quite at the level of my usual lap times. However, Alhamdulillah, I’m still very grateful to have secured the victory. The race was a good test for me, and it gave me valuable feedback on where we need to improve.” “A huge thank you to my team for their hard work, dedication and continuous support throughout the weekend. This victory gives us great confidence and motivation as we continue preparing for the next challenge ahead.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (21’29.916s) 2. MOHAMMAD ADENANTA PUTRA – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (21’33.136s) 3. ADAM NORRODIN – AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT (21’35.977s) 4. AZLAN SHAH KAMARUZAMAN – AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT (21’36.725s) 5. ABHIJITH SATYA PRASAD – RACEHUB RACING TEAM (22’37.452s)
Santhiran A/L Naga Raju of RACEHUB RACING TEAM continued his remarkable momentum in the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 by completing a flawless weekend at Round 2 of the championship, securing his second consecutive victory in the MSBK1000 B category at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Starting from the front row of the grid, Santhiran made a strong launch off the line to immediately take control of Race 2, leading the field into the opening corners ahead of Kamarul Izad Ishak of KHSRT and Jeff Chong of B. A TUNING. However, the race quickly saw changes in the order after Kamarul and Martin Noh of FGRT PROJECT ONE crashed out, reshaping the battle at the front. Santhiran remained composed despite the pressure behind him, maintaining his pace and controlling the race from the opening laps. By Lap 2, He Junpeng of SILVER STEED RACING TEAM moved into second position, with Jeff Chong following closely in third. The leading group continued to evolve as Junpeng later dropped out of the podium battle on Lap 4, allowing Alvinderjitsingh to move into third place. Santhiran continued to extend his advantage while Jeff Chong settled into second position. Behind them, Alvinderjitsingh, Theva Kumaran from Singapore and Wesley Lim Shing Shiong of RACEHUB RACING TEAM fought closely for the remaining top-five positions, with Wesley eventually moving ahead of Theva on Lap 8. On final lap, Santhiran maintained his focus and delivered a controlled performance to cross the chequered flag first with a winning time of 23’01.415s. Jeff Chong secured second place at 23’09.644s, while Alvinderjitsingh completed the podium in third with 23’21.442s. The victory marked Santhiran’s second win of the weekend, confirming him as the MSBK1000 B Weekend Champion for Round 2 and further strengthening his championship campaign. Santhiran shared, “I was quite nervous actually because previously I did not have the best pace in dry track conditions. Last round, it was wet all the way, so that was my week. This weekend, qualifying went really well as I went out early and managed to secure pole position in MSBK1000 B.” “Today, I was nervous because the weather was perfect and the faster riders were doing 2’15s and 2’16s. I thought they would catch me, but my target was to get a good launch and have a strong first two laps before settling into my own rhythm.” “Thankfully, with God’s blessings and the support from my family, those first two laps were fantastic. After that, I had clear track ahead of me and could focus on maintaining my pace. I saw some incidents happening behind, but for me it became a smooth and enjoyable race. I am extremely grateful to my team and everyone who supported me throughout this weekend. This result means a lot to us.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. SANTHIRAN A/L NAGA RAJU – RACEHUB RACING TEAM (23’01.415s) 2. JEFF CHONG – B. A TUNING (23’09.644s) 3. ALVINDERJITSINGH – MALAYSIA (23’21.442s) 4. WESLEY LIM SHING SHIONG – RACEHUB RACING TEAM (23’28.528s) 5. THEVA KUMARAN – SINGAPORE (23’29.519s)
Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND produced a masterclass performance in Race 2 of the MSBK600 category, converting his strong pace into a dominant victory during Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Starting from the front of the grid, Thanat immediately stamped his authority on the 10-lap encounter with a brilliant launch, grabbing the holeshot and leading the field into the opening corner. Following closely behind at the start were Muhd Helmi Azman and Khairul Idham Pawi of HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, with Kitsada Tanachot of HONDA RACING THAILAND and Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA completing the early top five. Thanat maintained a 0.771s advantage over Khairul on Lap 2 before delivering an even stronger pace. On Lap 3, the Thai rider set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 2’11.388s, while Helmi moved ahead of Khairul to take second position. The leading trio immediately began creating a gap of more than two seconds over Kitsada in fourth. On lap 4, Thanat improved his fastest lap again with a 2’11.349s effort, while Helmi remained his closest challenger. By Lap 5, Thanat had stretched his advantage to 2.540s, and the gap continued to grow as the race progressed. At the halfway point, Thanat’s pace proved untouchable. The HONDA RACING THAILAND rider extended his lead to 3.477s on Lap 6 and continued to increase the margin lap after lap. Behind him, the battle for the remaining podium positions intensified, with Kitsada eventually moving ahead of Khairul on Lap 7 to claim third place. Thanat continued his flawless rhythm, opening a 4.814s advantage over Helmi on Lap 8 before extending the gap beyond seven seconds by the final lap. Meanwhile, the battle behind remained competitive, with Farres and Muhd Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi from Malaysia exchanging positions before Naqib’s race ended following a crash on Lap 9. Entering the final lap with a comfortable advantage, Thanat maintained his focus to cross the finish line first in 22’06.296s, securing a dominant victory. Helmi completed a strong ride for second place with a time of 22’12.363s, while Kitsada finished third at 22’13.073s. Khairul and Farres completed the top five. Thanat said, “The conditions were very hot today, and it was definitely a challenging race. My target before Race 2 was to try and maintain a 2’10s pace, but it was not easy because I had some movement from the rear tyre and also some moments with the front tyre. I had to manage the bike carefully, stay focused and keep improving my lap times every time I went out on track.” “I kept pushing as hard as I could and tried to maintain my rhythm until the end. Winning this race feels really special because it was not an easy one. I’m very happy with the result, and I want to thank my team, my mechanics and everyone who has supported me. Their hard work and encouragement gave me the confidence to fight for this victory.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (22’06.296s) 2. MUHD HELMI AZMAN – HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (22’12.363s) 3. KITSADA TANACHOT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (22’13.073s) 4. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (22’18.796s) 5. FARRES PUTRA MOHD FADHIL – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (22’29.937s)
Irfan Ardiansyah of NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM produced a sensational final-lap comeback to snatch victory in Race 2 of the MSBK250 A category during Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, emerging victorious from a dramatic three-way battle. The race began with a brilliant start from Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, who immediately launched into the lead ahead of Nguyen Huu Tri of HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM and Irfan Ardiansyah of NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM. Muhd Akif Abdullah of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA and Muhd Haziq Muhd Fairues of OSAMA RACING TEAM completed the early leading group. Haykhal quickly settled into his rhythm, but Irfan remained firmly attached to his rear wheel, with the gap between the two separated by just 0.085s on Lap 2. Behind them, Huu Tri and Haziq engaged in their own battle for third place, while Ahmad Afif Amran of RAPIDO YAMAHA FIVEZERO RACING TEAM began his charge after moving ahead of Akif. The intensity increased as Huu Tri set the fastest lap of the race on Lap 3 with a time of 2’25.563s, while Haykhal and Irfan continued their battle at the front. However, drama struck when Akif crashed out of contention, ending his race prematurely. By Lap 5, the leading trio of Haykhal, Irfan and Huu Tri had closed up, with just 0.440s separating them. Afif then made his move, overtaking Huu Tri to join the fight for the podium, while Nazirul Izzat Muhd Bahauddin of TEAM ACR climbed into the top five. The final laps saw Haykhal maintained the lead, but Irfan began searching for an opportunity, while Afif stayed within striking distance waiting for his chance. Entering the final lap, Irfan made his move at Turn 1 to take the lead from Haykhal, with Afif also advancing into third after overtaking Huu Tri. Haykhal responded immediately, reclaiming the lead as the trio charged towards the finish line. Afif attempted a final attack at the last corner but ran wide, allowing Irfan to regain the advantage and power across the line first in 19’35.995s. Haykhal secured second place just 0.293s behind the winner with a time of 19’36.288s, while Afif completed the podium in third after another impressive performance, finishing at 19’36.514s. Irfan commented, “From the very beginning, I focused on maintaining my race pace and staying consistent throughout the race. I knew the key was to stay calm, avoid unnecessary risks and save my strongest push for the final lap. When the opportunity came, I trusted my feeling, made my move and fought until the very last corner. It was an incredible battle because everyone was pushing at the limit, but I believed in my strategy and never gave up. “I’m extremely grateful to my team and all my mechanics for their endless hard work, support and confidence in me. They have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to give me a competitive bike, and this victory is a result of everyone’s effort. Standing on the top step after such a close race makes this moment even more special, and I hope we can continue this momentum for the rest of the season.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM (19’35.995s) 2. MD IRFAN HAYKHAL AMIDI – HRM MOTUL RACING TEAM (19’36.288s) 3. AHMAD AFIF AMRAN – RAPIDO YAMAHA FIVEZERO RACING TEAM (19’36.514s) 4. NGUYEN HUU TRI – HONDA RACING VIETNAM (19’36.759s) 5. NAZIRUL IZZAT MUHD BAHAUDDIN – TEAM ACR (19’49.767s)
Carlsen Jacob Solis of FCC – HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM capped off a flawless weekend by completing a dominant double victory in the MSBK250 B category during Race 2 of Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, securing his first clean sweep of the season and earning the coveted Weekend Champion title. Having already tasted success in Race 1, the Filipino rider once again showcased his composure and outright pace, controlling the eight-lap contest from lights to flag. Carlsen asserted his authority at the start, launching perfectly off the line to seize the holeshot ahead of Kabilesh, while Ng Wei Shyang of MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM settled comfortably into third as the leading trio immediately established themselves at the front of the field. The order remained unchanged through the opening laps as Carlsen dictated the pace, with Kabilesh shadowing the race leader and looking for an opportunity to close the gap. Behind them, Wei Shyang maintained a consistent rhythm, comfortably holding third while the leading pair gradually pulled clear. By Lap 3, Kabilesh had reduced the deficit to just 1.390s, briefly raising hopes of a late challenge. However, Carlsen responded by immediately increased his advantage to 1.668s on the following lap before continuing to stretch the gap with a series of smooth laps. Carlsen never allowed his rival a realistic opportunity to mount an attack. Maintaining relentless consistency through Laps 5, 6 and 7, he controlled the race from the front before delivering one final push on the last lap. The race leader increased his pace once more, decisively pulling away as Kabilesh struggled to match his speed, while Wei Shyang remained unchallenged in third to complete the podium. After eight commanding laps, Carlsen crossed the finish line in 20’12.428s to secure his second victory of the weekend. Kabilesh followed in second with a time of 20’27.930s, while Wei Shyang completed the podium in third after clocking 21’07.153s. The victory marked Carlsen’s first double win of the 2026 campaign and crowned him the MSBK250 B Weekend Champion. Carlsen said, “It’s been an incredible weekend, and I’m really grateful to come away with another victory and complete the double. Coming into Race 2, I knew it wouldn’t be easy because everyone was pushing hard, especially Kabilesh, who kept the pressure on in the early laps. My focus was to stay calm, manage the race and avoid making any mistakes. Once I found a good rhythm, I concentrated on building the gap little by little without taking unnecessary risks.” “Huge credit goes to everyone in FCC – HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM because they’ve worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to keep improving the bike. Every adjustment we made gave me more confidence on track, and without their dedication this result wouldn’t have been possible. This isn’t just my victory, it’s a reward for the whole team. Winning both races and becoming Weekend Champion is a fantastic feeling, and it gives us great momentum heading into the next round.” TOP 3 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. CARLSEN JACOB SOLIS – FCC – HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM (20’12.428s) 2. KABILESH RAJINI KRISHNAN – RACR CASTROL POWER1 (20’27.930s) 3. NG WEI SHYANG – MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM (21’07.153s)
Ashraff Zaquan Bin Zainal Raif of LIANG SOON MOTOR delivered another masterclass in racecraft to complete a sensational clean sweep in the BERJAYA SOMPO YAMAHA R15M RACE ELITES category, claiming his second victory of the weekend during Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Zaquan made a superb launch off the line to seize the early advantage, immediately coming under pressure from Muhd Irish Shazwan of ALL BIKES, while Muhd Farhan Naqib Mohd Faiz of BLH RACING TEAM also established himself among the leading contenders. By Lap 2, Zaquan continued to dictate the pace, but the chasing pack was reshuffled as Muhd Ikram Dani of EL CHONG MOTOR climbed into second ahead of Ahmad Jebat Zulkarnain Md Nazrun of ENG LUM RACING TEAM, with of Adam Danial Abdul Fattah ANN SENG MOTOR moving into fourth. The race intensified on Lap 3 when Raja Abdurraqib Raja Norfatihah of LKT MOTOR briefly broke clear from the pack and clocked the fastest lap of the race with a time of 2’52.995s. However, his advantage proved short-lived as the packed front group quickly reeled him back in. Zaquan remained firmly in contention alongside Naqib, Adam Hariz Hafiz of XL MOTOR and Shazrel Aqief Hakimy of BEN HUAT MOTOR in the battle for supremacy. Abdurraqib again looked poised to escape on Lap 4 after stretching his lead to 0.573s over Hariz, while Shahuzzaifie Adli Shafendi of SOON CHYE MOTORS occupied third ahead of Naqib and Muhd Afiq Syazanie Muhd Zaini of HOCK LIONG. Yet the relentless slipstream battle ensured no advantage lasted for long. Hariz emerged at the front on Lap 5 ahead of Jebat and Adam Danial, but the order continued to change almost every corner. Every attempt to break away was immediately answered by the chasing riders, creating an intense drafting contest that carried into the closing laps. Zaquan reclaimed the lead on Lap 6 ahead of Naqib, Ikram and Hariz before the final lap. As the leading contenders fought wheel-to-wheel for victory, drama struck at the final corner when Ikram and Adam Danial crashed while battling for podium positions. Adam Danial managed to remount and finish the race, but Ikram was forced to retire, ending what had been an outstanding charge. Zaquan crossed the finish line first in 20’29.051s and complete a memorable double victory. Jebat secured second place with a time of 20’29.771s, while Shazrel completed the podium just 0.753s behind the winner in 20’29.804s. Zaquan shared, “Alhamdulillah, I’m truly grateful to complete the double victory this weekend. Going into the race, my strategy was to stay with the leading group without pushing too hard too early because I knew the race would only be decided in the closing stages.” “At one point, I started losing touch with the front riders, and I knew I had to give everything I had to close the gap. I kept believing, stayed calm and focused on making the right move at the right time.” “On the final lap, heading into the last corner, I saw an opportunity under braking and committed fully. I managed to carry the momentum onto the exit, accelerated past the others and crossed the line first. It’s an incredible feeling to win again, and I’m very thankful to my team for giving me such a competitive bike. This double victory means a lot and gives me even more confidence for the rounds ahead.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. ASHRAFF ZAQUAN BIN ZAINAL RAIF – LIANG SOON MOTOR (20’29.051s) 2. AHMAD JEBAT ZULKARNAIN MD NAZRUN – ENG LUM RACING TEAM (20’29.771s) 3. SHAZREL AQIEF HAKIMY – BEN HUAT MOTOR (20’29.804s) 4. ADAM HARIZ HAFIZ – XL MOTOR (20’29.857s) 5. MUHD ALI IMRAN MOHD DZUL HIJRI – KEAT SENG MOTOR (20’29.880s)
After a year away from the top step of the podium, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT made a triumphant return with a spectacular victory in Race 1 of the MSBK1000 A category during Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Starting from pole position after setting the fastest qualifying time of 2’15.670s, Azlan launched strongly at the race start and took control of the race lead. Behind him, Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM slotted into second place, followed by Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA, while Azlan’s teammate Adam Norrodin settled into fourth. The leading group quickly formed an intense battle. On Lap 3, the dynamics of the race changed when Adenanta served his Long Lap Penalty, allowing Kasma and Adam to move forward. With Azlan continuing to lead, Kasma began applying increasing pressure from second position, setting a series of fastest laps in pursuit of the race leader. Kasma’s impressive pace saw him reduce the gap dramatically, recording a 2’14.244s lap on Lap 5 to move within just 0.114s of Azlan. Despite the relentless pressure from Kasma, Azlan remained calm and defended his position with precision. As the race entered its final stages, the battle intensified further, with Adam and Adenanta also fighting closely for the remaining podium positions. On the final lap, Kasma continued to challenge for the victory, setting the fastest lap of the race at 2’10.884s, while Adam attempted to make a move but was unable to break through. Azlan held his ground until the chequered flag to secure an emotional victory with a total race time of 22’26.031s. Kasma finished just 0.717s behind in second place with 22’26.748s, while Adam completed the podium for AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT after crossing the line in 22’26.957s. Adenanta and Mohd Fahmi Abdul Wahaf of FGRT PROJECT ONE completed the top five. Azlan commented, “It feels amazing to win again after such a long time away from the top step. Since taking a one-year break, this victory means a lot to me and the whole team. It’s a very special feeling because we have worked so hard to come back stronger. “The race was extremely challenging because the conditions were difficult, with some parts of the track wet and others dry. It was not easy to find the perfect rhythm, so I had to stay focused, manage the bike carefully and make sure I didn’t take unnecessary risks. “My strategy was to stay close to the front, understand the conditions and wait for the right moment. At one point, I saw Kasma making a move to overtake me, but I managed to fight back, regain the position and from there I pushed even harder until the chequered flag. “Alhamdulillah, this victory was beyond my expectations because I expected the battle to continue all the way until the final corner. I want to congratulate Kasma and all the riders for such a great fight today. Most importantly, I want to thank my team for preparing an amazing bike, especially in these difficult conditions. Their hard work and support made this victory possible.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. AZLAN SHAH KAMARUZAMAN – AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT (22’26.031s) 2. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (22’26.748s) 3. ADAM NORRODIN – AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT (22’26.957s) 4. MOHAMMAD ADENANTA PUTRA – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (22’27.414s) 5. MOHD FAHMI ABDUL WAHAF – FGRT PROJECT ONE (23’26.446s)
Malaysian rider Santhiran A/L Naga Raju of RACEHUB RACING TEAM continued his impressive momentum in the Round 2 of MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 by securing a hard-fought victory in Race 1 of the MSBK1000 B category at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. As the race started, Santhiran made a strong getaway to lead the opening lap. However, the battle at the front quickly intensified as Kamarul Izad Ishak of KHSRT mounted a strong challenge, taking over the lead on Lap 2. The opening laps saw constant position changes as Santhiran remained within striking distance of Kamarul, while Martin Noh of FGRT PROJECT ONE, He Junpeng of SILVER STEED RACING TEAM, and Jeff Chong of B. A TUNING fought closely behind. Santhiran showed patience and race maturity as he stayed behind Kamarul, carefully studying his rival’s pace before making his move on Lap 4 to reclaim the lead. However, the battle was far from over as Kamarul responded strongly on Lap 5, briefly returning to the front. With only 0.394s separating the two riders on Lap 6, the intensity continued to rise. Santhiran eventually made his decisive move on Lap 7, overtaking Kamarul once again and immediately began building his advantage at the front. Despite the changing track conditions following earlier rain, Santhiran remained composed and managed the tricky surface confidently. As the circuit continued to dry, the Malaysian rider improved his pace lap by lap, controlling the race until the chequered flag to claim the victory at 23’29.050s. Kamarul crossed the finish line in second place, just 3.674s behind the winner, while He Junpeng of SILVER STEED RACING TEAM completed the podium after a strong and consistent performance. Alvinderjitsingh from MALAYSIA and Jeff Chong of B. A TUNING rounded out the top five. Santhiran shared, “It was a really good race overall. I was happy with my qualifying performance earlier in the morning because I managed to go out just before the rain arrived, which allowed me to secure a strong starting position and build confidence for the race. My plan was to get a good launch and stay with the front group in the opening laps, and thankfully I managed to do that.” “I was able to race with the MSBK1000 A riders for about three laps, which was a great experience as I could learn from their pace and riding style. After that, I focused on my own rhythm and maintained a consistent pace. When Kamarul overtook me, I stayed behind him, studied his pace and waited for the right opportunity before making my move. Once I got ahead, I concentrated on maintaining my pace until the finish.” “The track conditions continued improving as the surface became drier, and my lap times kept getting better, which gave me more confidence to push. Overall, it was a very positive race, and this victory means a lot to me. I want to thank my family, friends, sponsors and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. Their encouragement gives me the motivation to keep improving and fighting for more strong results.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. SANTHIRAN A/L NAGA RAJU – RACEHUB RACING TEAM (23’29.050s) 2. KAMARUL IZAD ISHAK – KHSRT (23’32.724s) 3. HE JUNPENG – SILVER STEED RACING TEAM (23’49.270) 4. ALVINDERJITSINGH – MALAYSIA (23’57.470s) 5. JEFF CHONG – B. A TUNING (24’05.867s)
Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND mastered the wet track condition at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit to secured victory in Race 1 of the MSBK600 category during Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026. Starting the race from pole position after setting the fastest qualifying lap of 2’09.688s, Thanat made a strong getaway and immediately established himself at the front of the field as light rain created a challenging wet condition race. Behind Thanat, was Khairul Idham Pawi of HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA, and Kitsada Tanachot of HONDA RACING THAILAND exchanged positions before Kitsada moved into second place and began his pursuit of his teammate at the front. By Lap 2, Thanat had already created a 1.520s advantage, showing impressive pace and consistency despite the difficult conditions. The Thai rider continued to increase the gap on Lap 3 after setting the fastest lap of the race at 2’24.701s, while the battle behind intensified as Muhd Helmi Azman of HONDA RACING MALAYSIA charged forward and began closing the distance to the leaders. Helmi’s relentless pace saw him record consecutive fastest laps, including a 2’23.491s on Lap 4 and 2’23.315s on Lap 5, reducing Thanat’s advantage to just 1.540 seconds. However, Thanat remained composed at the front, carefully managing his tyres and maintaining his rhythm as the race entered its decisive stages. The fight for the podium continued when Kitsada and Helmi traded positions, with Kitsada eventually moving back into second position on Lap 7. Despite the pressure from his teammate behind, Thanat kept control of the race and crossed the chequered flag first with a total race time of 24’04.675s. Kitsada followed closely behind to complete a memorable HONDA RACING THAILAND one-two finish, finishing just 1.035s behind his teammate at 24’05.710s. Muhd Helmi Azman secured third place for HONDA RACING MALAYSIA with a time of 24’13.886s, while Khairul Idham Pawi and Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil completed the top five. Thanat said, “I’m really happy to take the win today. It was a very difficult race because the track conditions were constantly changing, with some sections dry and others still wet. It wasn’t easy to find the right rhythm, so my main focus was to stay calm, manage my pace and remain consistent throughout the race.” “I tried not to think too much about what was happening behind me. I just focused on my own riding, finding the best feeling with the bike and making sure I didn’t make any mistakes because the conditions were very tricky.” “On the final lap, I actually thought about letting Kitsada take the victory because today is his birthday. But then I thought, maybe I should keep the points for the championship instead! I was ready if he wanted to make a move, but he didn’t overtake me, so I’m happy to keep the win.” “It’s a fantastic result for the team, especially with a one-two finish. I want to thank everyone behind this achievement for their hard work and support. Tomorrow will be another challenge, but we will continue fighting and give our best to fight for another victory.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (24’04.675s) 2. KITSADA TANACHOT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (24’05.710s) 3. MUHD HELMI AZMAN – HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (24’13.886s) 4. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (24’28.876s) 5. FARRES PUTRA MOHD FADHIL – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (24’38.870s)
Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit saw Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA emerged victorious in a wet-weather Race 1 of the MSBK250 A category. Starting the race from pole position after setting the fastest qualifying time of 2’25.163s, Haykhal immediately showed strong pace despite the light drizzle that greeted riders at the start. The Malaysian rider made a brilliant launch to move into the lead, but the battle at the front quickly intensified as Nguyen Huu Tri of HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM, Irfan Ardiansyah of NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM, Muhd Haziq Muhd Fairues of OSAMA RACING TEAM and Muhd Akif Abdullah of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA challenged for the top positions. On Lap 2, Irfan moved ahead to take control of the race, while Haykhal remained close behind before reclaiming the lead on Lap 3 with the fastest lap time of 2’39.671s. However, Irfan launched a strong comeback on Lap 4, overtaking both Akif and Haykhal to return to the front, while Haziq continued to impress with a clean and consistent ride to remain within the leading group. The intense battle continued throughout the race, with Haykhal and Irfan repeatedly exchanging positions. On Lap 5, Haykhal returned to the lead before Irfan responded once again at the first corner on Lap 6. Despite the constant pressure from behind, Haykhal remained calm and focused, managing his pace while adapting to the difficult track conditions. Haykhal began to find his rhythm and increased his pace. Setting the fastest lap of the race with a 2’37.570s on the final lap, the Haykhal pushed his machine to the limit to secure the chequered flag with a winning time of 21’22.722s. Irfan Ardiansyah crossed the finish line just 1.142s behind to claim second place, while Akif completed the podium after another strong performance. Pillarisetty Sai Rahil of RACR CASTROL POWER1 and Ahmad Afif Amran of RAPIDO YAMAHA FIVEZERO RACING TEAM completed the top five. Haykhal said, “First of all, I want to thank my entire team for giving me such a competitive bike today. Racing in these conditions was incredibly challenging because the rain arrived just before the start, and we didn’t have the perfect wet setup. That meant I had to change my riding style, stay patient and adapt as quickly as possible with every lap.” “From the beginning, I wanted to be at the front, but I also knew that making mistakes in these conditions would be very costly. I stayed calm, followed the riders ahead, studied where they were strong and where there were opportunities. Once I found my rhythm, my confidence kept growing and I knew I could start pushing harder.” “The fight for the lead was intense because everyone was pushing to the limit, and every overtake had to be calculated carefully. On the final lap, I gave absolutely everything I had, and seeing the chequered flag first after such a demanding race is an amazing feeling. This victory means a lot to me, my team and everyone who has supported us. It’s a fantastic way to start the weekend, but we’ll stay focused because there is still another race ahead.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. MD IRFAN HAYKHAL AMIDI – HRM MOTUL RACING TEAM (21’22.722s) 2. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM (21’23.864s) 3. MUHD AKIF ABDULLAH – HRM MOTUL RACING TEAM (21’25.851s) 4. PILLARISETTY SAI RAHIL – RACR CASTROL POWER1 (21’28.422s) 5. AHMAD AFIF AMRAN – RAPIDO YAMAHA FIVEZERO RACING TEAM (21’29.950s)