Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit featured the YAMAHA R15M Race Elites category practice sessions. Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli of CHAI KEN MOTORSPORT topped the practice sessions. In Practice 1, Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli of CHAI KEN MOTORSPORT set the fastest lap with a time of 2’49:826s. He was followed by Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak of WELLY RACING TEAM at 2’50:725s and Muhd Iqbal Amri Abdul Malek of Y S CHONG at 2’50:936s. In Practice 2, Izam improved his time to a lap of 2’49:270s, securing the fastest position. Qayyum was second with 2’49:819s, and Iqbal finished third with 2’49:895s. Overall, Izam was the fastest across both sessions, with Qayyum and Iqbal taking second and third places. Izam commented, “Today, I was the fastest. We focused on finding the right setup, as it’s my first time riding the R15. So far, there isn’t much difference compared to the 600cc and 250cc bikes. We’ll work on finding the optimal setup for qualifying and the race tomorrow. My goal is to secure pole position for Race 1.” Combined Result – Top 5 Fastest Practice Session YAMAHA R15M Race Elite 1. Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli – CHAI KEN MOTORSPORT (2’49:270s) 2. Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak – WELLY RACING TEAM (2’49:819s) 3. Muhd Iqbal Amri Abdul Malek – Y S CHONG (2’49:895s) 4. Muhd Firdaus Mohd Hamdan – SOON CHYE MOTOR (2’50:937s) 5. Muhd Hafiza Rofa – HENN MOTOR BROTHERS (2’51:141s)
With the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) Round 2 fast approaching, Thanat Laoongplio of Honda Racing Thailand is gearing up with both anticipation and determination. Currently holding the 3rd position in the overall standings after a commendable performance in Round 1, where he secured P3 in both Race 1 and Race 2 in the MSBK600 category, Laoongplio is focused on climbing up the leaderboard and making his mark at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Thanat shared, “After Round 1, it was clear that both the team and I needed to address areas for improvement. We dedicated our efforts to enhancing our physical fitness and fine-tuning our strategies. Our primary goal is to build on our performance from Round 1 and come into Round 2 stronger and more prepared.” Currently positioned 3rd in the standings, Thanat remains optimistic about his chances of ascending to the top spot. “My initial aim when coming to these races was to gather valuable data for the ARRC (IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship). However, my ambitions also include clinching victories and securing the championship. I believe that with the right adjustments and continued focus, moving up to the top spot is entirely within reach.” With Helmi currently leading the standings, Thanat is determined to overtake him. “Helmi is a strong competitor, but my strategy is to outperform him and secure the front position. My focus will be on being faster and more consistent, aiming to stay ahead and capitalize on every opportunity that arises.” The PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit is renowned for its unpredictable nature, where any rider could claim victory on any given day. Thanat acknowledges the challenge and his approach to mastering the track, “Sepang is a track where winning requires both skill and a deep understanding of the circuit. I’ve been meticulously studying the track layout and analyzing past performances. It’s crucial to gather as much detailed information as possible to improve our strategy and execution.” Thanat added, “Competing here not only provides valuable experience but also helps in gathering critical data for the upcoming ARRC Round 5. My aim is to leverage this opportunity to both achieve success in the current race and better prepare for the ARRC.”
MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) is approaching Round 2 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Azroy Hakeem Anuar of the BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM stands at the forefront of the competition. Following an exceptional performance in Round 1, where he dominated both Race 1 and Race 2, Azroy now leads the overall standings. In preparation for Round 2, Azroy is focusing on a rigorous and comprehensive physical training regimen. “As always, my preparation for Round 2 involves a comprehensive approach to physical training,” he explains. “I focus on various aspects such as strength, endurance, and flexibility to ensure that my body is in optimal condition for the demands of racing. Physical fitness is crucial for maintaining peak performance over long races and under intense conditions. Additionally, I analyze data from previous races and work closely with my team to fine-tune the bike setup. This holistic preparation helps me stay competitive and perform at my best.” Despite his current top position, Azroy remains grounded and pragmatic about the season’s progress. “Although I am currently leading the overall standings, I’m choosing not to get too wrapped up in the notion of securing the top spot just yet. It’s still early in the season, and while it’s great to be in the lead, there’s a long way to go. My focus remains on consistently improving my performance and learning from each race. It’s important to stay grounded and avoid complacency, as every race presents its own set of challenges and opportunities.” The competition in MSBK is fierce, with seasoned riders such as Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, Nakarin Atiratphuvaphat, and Passawit Thitivararak all aiming for top positions. Azroy views these competitors as valuable challenges rather than threats. “The MSBK field is incredibly talented, with riders like Azlan Shah, Nakarin, and Passawit all vying for top positions,” he acknowledges. “Instead of viewing them as threats, I see them as valuable competitors who push me to enhance my skills. Racing against such accomplished riders is a great way to test myself and elevate my riding abilities. I’m looking forward to the challenges they present and am committed to fighting hard in every race. Competing with the best helps me refine my technique and strategy, which is beneficial for my overall development as a rider.” Azroy’s deep familiarity with the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, being his home track, offers him a significant advantage. “Sepang is a track that offers both excitement and complexity, and having it as my home circuit gives me a distinct advantage,” he says. “I’ve spent countless hours here, understanding every corner, straight, and elevation change. This familiarity allows me to make split-second decisions and optimize my racing line more effectively than others. Knowing the track so well means I can anticipate the conditions and adjust my strategy accordingly. This local knowledge helps me gain confidence and a competitive edge when racing on this challenging circuit.” However, Azroy also faces the challenge of adapting to the high-speed nature of the 1000cc bike. “One of the main challenges I’m currently facing is adapting to the high-speed nature of the 1000cc bike,” he admits. “The power and performance of these machines require a different level of control and precision compared to smaller bikes. Mastering the dynamics of such a powerful bike while maintaining speed and stability is a continuous learning process. It demands a combination of technical skill, mental focus, and physical strength. I’m working hard to address these challenges and push the limits of what I can achieve on the track.”
Nakarin Atiratphuvaphat of Honda Racing Thailand has made a significant mark in the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship, currently holding a commendable third position in the overall standings following a strong performance in Round 1. During Round 1, Nakarin demonstrated his prowess by securing P3 in both Race 1 and Race 2, setting a solid foundation for the rest of the season. Reflecting on his preparation for Round 2 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Nakarin emphasized the importance of recovery and mental clarity. After competing in the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at Mandalika, he focused on rest and physical conditioning through jogging and cycling, coupled with meditation to maintain mental sharpness. “After ARRC Mandalika, I concentrated on rest, jogging, cycling, and meditation,” Nakarin explained. “Meditation is also crucial for maintaining both focus and mental clarity.” As he heads into Round 2, Nakarin is determined to build on his initial success. “I will give my best effort. While there are many variables in racing, I am committed to my riding and continuous improvement,” he said, underscoring his dedication despite the sport’s inherent uncertainties. His awareness of the competitive field is evident, especially given the strength of Malaysian riders. “It’s not easy here. Malaysian riders are exceptionally strong. I need to gather more insights to enhance my performance and break away from the pack,” he noted. The technical complexity of the Sepang circuit, combined with its unpredictable weather conditions, adds another layer of challenge. Nakarin highlighted the importance of adaptability and strategic decision-making in such an environment. “Sepang is a technical track that offers many opportunities for riders to learn and improve. With its ever-changing weather, it becomes a test of decision-making skills. Mastery over tire management is crucial. I anticipated rain but managed to adapt and ride effectively under the conditions,” he remarked. Looking ahead, Nakarin’s personal goals extend beyond merely winning races. “My goal is to enjoy the riding experience and continually develop myself into a winner,” he stated.
Round 2 of the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) will take on the grounds of the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit once again this weekend. Making its debut in the championship is a brand new one-make race category which is the Yamaha R15M Race Elites, geared up to make its grand entrance. The formation of this new race class was conceived upon the idea of providing riders with a different kind of experience and exposure in their transition from the underbone machine to a tank-machine. The effort seeks to accelerate the experiences of young riders by paving a pathway that would enable them to adapt to a more refined riding technique aboard a slightly higher capacity machine before potentially scaling up into the Asian-level championship. The Yamaha R15M machine is a 155cc machine that has been effectively modified to fit into the racing motorcycle specifications. The goal of MSBK over the years has been about developing motorsport and providing a platform for enthusiasts to experience the standard of excellence in motorcycle racing. In tandem with that, the collaborative initiatives with Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) with the inclusion of this new race category will serve to groom talented riders in their aspirations to excel further in motorcycle racing. The race category which comprises 32 riders in total were handpicked from various race categories within the national motorcycle championship namely the PETRONAS Malaysian Cub Prix Championship (MCP) including the CP150, CP125 and ProAm race categories. On the other hand, The Berjaya Sompo Yamaha Y16ZR Race MasterClass race category will continue for the third consecutive year with a total of 32 riders beginning from Round 2. The riders were selected from the race categories within MCP namely the Wira KBS, Yamaha PETRONAS Super Series and AEON Credit Service Yamaha 135LC Tekhne Challenge and will compete till the end of Season 2024.
Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship will take place this weekend at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Geared up for the robust challenge are Gerry Salim of Honda NWN SCK Racing Team in MSBK250 A and teammate Rakha Bima Sakthiansyah in MSBK250 B. Indonesian rider Gerry may be a newbie in the MSBK250 A race category but he definitely has what it takes to compete competitively among the much-seasoned riders, especially with his experiences in the racing scenes of his local ground as well as the Asian and international front. In Round 1, he was defeated by his teammate with a 5-point difference in Race 1 and in Race 2, he once again fell short by 5-points in his attempt to take the win. However, his consistency in both races and his ability to defend his position awarded him with 40 points in total and a seat on top of the chart. The rider finally returned to the racing scenes after his injury last year and is certainly making up for the losses with the right scores. Commenting on the race, Gerry said, “Racing in MSBK this year has helped me try out new bike setups for ARRC Round 5 that will be held at Sepang. In my opinion, the standards of MSBK are great as the regulations are almost on par with that of ARRC for the AP250 race category. Only difference is that there are two different race categories that run in parallel. The Malaysian riders definitely inject better challenge because of their experience on the circuit ground and for me, it is a good experience to learn from them. At the moment, I have a good machine setup because I also get support from the Honda Indonesia Team. They too have a lot of experience on the Malaysian soil so, I have high hopes and trust on the team and mechanics. On the circuit, I love it. I have had my fair share of experiences and I guess that also means that I have a slight upper hand here. It is a circuit with many technical sectors and it is all about mastering it. For the upcoming round, there will be some changes to the setup compared to the first round as there have been some changes to the regulations. Therefore, some settings need to be changed to adhere to that. My goal for this season is to win the MSBK overall. Keeping my fingers crossed!” Rakha on the other hand may also be new in the MSBK250 B but the Indonesian rider has showcased quite a remarkable performance when he went on to compete with great dexterity to score the Weekend Champion title. Being in the championship for the first time, Rakha has demonstrated the ability to fight competitively and utilise the right technical skills to guard his position all the way. The MSBK250 B race category is not one that is easy to dominate especially with the huge troop flooding the circuit ground nevertheless, Rakha stood out, maintained his composure well and stayed focused before clocking in victory in both races. Commenting on the race, Rakha said, “For me, the most significant difference would be the opponents. I find them less competitive compared to those in the Mandalika Racing Series that I have been racing in. For the coming round, I have prepared myself physically and practiced on machines in Indonesia to compete against those riders in the MSBK250 A race category. Apart from that, I have also been honing my skills so that I can be competitive enough. I can’t say much about the machine at the moment but the machine is very fast. I like the Sepang circuit because the atmosphere and the level of safety is really excellent. Only thing that I didn’t quite like during the first round was the hole on the asphalt at corner 9. My target for the year is to make it as a leader in the overall chart and perhaps fight well with the other group.”