Day 2 of the 2021 Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) Open Track Day ended on a positive note as the teams and riders walked away satisfied having met their respective training objectives of the weekend. Obviously, none of the riders were going out with the intention of creating new lap records. Instead, with a balanced mix of professional and semi-professional riders on the grid, every one had a different training objective in mind. Here’s what some of the riders had to say: AZLAN SHAH KAMARUZAMAN – BMW S1000RR 2020, ONEXOX TKKR RACING TEAM This weekend for me and my team was to continue the set-up work that was interrupted when the 2020 season had to be called off. I had only raced with the BMW S1000RR 2020 model once last year. To be honest, it was so powerful that I fought my bike all the way throughout last season’s one and only round. This weekend, our objective was to tame that power, find more stability while keeping the speed. So far, we are happy with the progression of our work and the opportunity to test this weekend has really helped us better prepare for the start of superbikes racing this season. MOHD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – HONDA CBR1000R SP2, BOON SIEW HONDA RACING For me, this weekend is a good way to get back my race conditioning. We were not able to use our ARRC race bike so I’m still testing with my 2019 Honda CBR1000R SP2. CY KHOO – SUZUKI GSX R1000R, TEAM HIAP AIK SUZUKI RACING It was really good to finally have a session on track after the long enforced break. We only had the chance to race on the new Dunlop tyres once last year. This was a good chance for us to try out different compounds and combinations without the pressure of race-preparations. JOEY TEO – SUZUKI GSX R1000R, SAVITAR Fitness was the biggest challenge because we had not been able to race for so long. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere this weekend. Just enjoying our riding in a safe environment. The next time the MSBK organizes another open track day, I highly recommend it to any superbike riders out there. You should come and experience it for yourself. IBRAHIM NORRODIN – YAMAHA YZF600, SIC RACING TEAM Everyone is basically using this session almost as a pre-season test to get ready for the races to come. For me personally, it is so vitally important for the MSBK and the Asia Road Racing Championship to commence this year. My racing career literally hinges on it as we’ve already lost a whole year. So I really hope that the relevant authorities will give the green light for the MSBK and Asia Road Racing Championship to proceed. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – HONDA CBR600RR, BOON SIEW HONDA RACING It’s been almost six months since I’ve had the opportunity to get back on the 600cc bike. Overall, my laptimes from the weekend was satisfactory. Not too bad, but certainly nothing to shout about yet. I was more focused on fine-tuning my riding style astride the full frame bike. IDLAN HAQIMI – HONDA CBR250RR, BOON SIEW HONDA RACING Like Azroy, my objective for this weekend was to get back into the rhythm. It was a good opportunity to train and improve and I really appreciate having these two days to focus on 250cc riding. AHMAD FAZLI SHAM – YAMAHA Y15ZR, ONEXOX TKKR RACING TEAM My role this weekend is to be the test rider and trainer for our junior riders. So I’m lending my expertise to help the team prepare for the season to come. AHMAD AFIF AMRAN AND AIMAN TAHIRUDDIN – YAMAHA Y15ZR, CARDINALS RACING This weekend was our first time out on track with the Cardinals Racing team’s bikes. It was a good chance to get acquainted with the team and the bike. Because team Hong Leong Yamaha has decided to focus solely on the 1000cc class this year, we will be participating in the 150cc class with Cardinals Racing. We are very much looking forward to the start of the season. The championship specifications are significantly different from that of the PETRONAS Malaysian Cub Prix Championship. For one thing, there will be no rpm limiters in the ARRC. USAMMAH NAZAM – YAMAHA Y15ZR, GRT RACING I’m here this weekend to prepare for the MSBK150 class. I’m really excited about this opportunity to work with GRT Racing. I race in the Pro-Am category in the PETRONAS Malaysian Cub Prix Championship, which is competitive in and of itself. However, the MSBK150 is my chance to pit my skills against the top riders of the class. It will be a great learning opportunity. Click here for full results. Be a part of the conversation.
The Open Track Day organized by the Malaysian Superbikes Championship (MSBK) at the Sepang International Circuit this weekend has been a boon for Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin. The young rider who is returning to the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship scene after a couple of years in the CEV and Moto2 World Championships, relished the opportunity to gain valuable mileage on the Yamaha YZF-R1M. “I’ve never ridden on the Yamaha YZF-R1M before. So I’m really glad that our team, Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia, has decided to take part in the MSBK Open Track Day this weekend. It has given me my first chance to get acquainted with the Yamaha YZF-R1M in a less pressurized environment,” said Kasma. During the test, Kasma was riding on the 2019 model that was used by Broc Parkes in the 2019 season. So far, the young rider has been thrilled by the glimpses of the bike’s performance. “It’s a really easy bike to ride, very stable and certainly less finicky than the Moto2 machine. We’re not going at race pace yet, but so far, I’m thrilled to get a chance to compete on this bike in the ARRC,” he added. Kasma’s best laptime of the day was clocked at 2’07.761s after putting in 255km in Day 1 alone. More promising, the ASB1000 rookie has been able to stay on pace with senior riders Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman and Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi. Kasma’s best lap was only 0.041s off Zaqhwan’s fastest lap clocked at 2’07.720s. Click here for full results. Chat with us.