Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit featured the YAMAHA R15M Race Elites category practice sessions, where Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli of NS ONE topped the sessions. In Practice 1, Muhd Idil Fitri of TKC SOUTHERN set the fastest lap with a time of 2’50.991s. He was followed by Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak of HOCK LIONG in second with a time of 2’51.945s, and Ahmad Syukran Aizat Mohd Yusoff of BLH GLASSTEEL 46 RACING in third at 2’52.104s. In Practice 2, Izam set the fastest lap time of 2’34.100s, reaching a top speed of 118.13 km/h, to lead the group. Idil, who posted a time of 2’49.134s, finished 0.206s behind Izam in second, while Fareez took third with a time of 2’49.350s. Overall, Izam was the fastest across both sessions, with Idil and Fareez rounding out the top three. Izam commented, “In FP1, we saw that the track condition was quite wet, so there wasn’t much we could try out. In this category, there isn’t much we can adjust with the setup, so it’s mostly about our skills and techniques. So I made good use of the advantage I have to stay ahead of the other riders. In FP2, the weather improved, and I was able to set a good lap time. So far, I’m ready for Race 1 tomorrow.” Combined Result – Top 5 Fastest Practice Session YAMAHA R15M Race Elite 1. Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli – NS ONE (2’48:928s) 2. Muhd Idil Fitri – TKC SOUTHERN (2’49:134s) 3. Muhd Fareez Afeez – BERJAYA MEGA (2’49:350s) 4. Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak – HOCK LIONG (2’49:938s) 5. Arash Tsunami Kamarudin – TAYCON (2’50:575s)
The stakes couldn’t be higher as the Honda NWN SCK Racing Team heads into the final round of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia. It’s a battle for supremacy between teammates and rivals, Irfan Ardiansyah and Gerry Salim, who are separated by a narrow margin of just 10 points in the MSBK250 A standings. Irfan, the leader with 103 points, has been a model of determination this season, showcasing exceptional skill with two race wins and two runner-up finishes. His comeback story from a DNF in the opening round’s Race 1 to a commanding victory in Race 2 has been one of the championship’s highlights. Meanwhile, Gerry, with 93 points, has earned the moniker Mr. Consistency, landing on the podium in every race but still chasing that elusive first win. Both riders are primed to give their all in what promises to be a heart-stopping showdown under the Malaysian sun. Irfan stated, “I’ve been training intensively, both on the bike and physically, to ensure I’m ready. I have a lot of experience on this technical track, and I’m fully focused on giving my best and avoiding mistakes.” Reflecting on his season, Irfan remarked, “Sepang has been both challenging and rewarding for me. That DNF in Race 1 during Round 1 was tough, but it taught me a lot. Coming back to win Race 2 felt amazing. This time, I will stay consistent, race smart, and bring home the championship.” Meanwhile, Gerry approaches the final round with equal determination and optimism. “For this last round, I’ve worked very hard on my fitness and even adjusted my weight to improve performance. We’ve also tested new settings on the bike to maximize its potential.” His extensive experience at Sepang gives him confidence, but he acknowledges the unique challenges of the MSBK250 class. “Races here are unpredictable, often decided in the final corners. That’s what makes it so thrilling.” Gerry’s consistent results of two P2 and two P3 finishes have positioned him as a serious contender for the title. When asked about his mindset heading into the final round, Gerry said, “The 10-point gap means there’s still everything to fight for. We may be teammates, but on the track, we’re competitors. I’m giving my all to secure my first win of the season and, hopefully, the championship.”
Kim Min Jae of HONDA ESTREMO YUZY RACING is set to take on the final round of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) this weekend at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia. The Korean rider made his MSBK debut in Round 3, using the platform to hone his skills and prepare for an exciting 2025 season, where he will compete in the highly competitive Asia Talent Cup (ATC). With just one MSBK round under his belt, Min Jae has been working tirelessly to improve. Reflecting on his preparation, he shared, “During Round 6 of the TVS Asia One-Make Championship at the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, my coach worked closely with me to identify my weaknesses and find solutions. I also watched MSBK races on YouTube to analyze and understand how I can be faster. This effort has been about finding every opportunity to grow before this critical round.” As the MSBK season concludes, Min Jae is determined to make a statement. “My target before the end of 2024 is to learn as much as I can and deliver a strong result in the MSBK final round. I want to follow the fast group, and if the opportunity arises, I’ll push for the podium.” The young rider has focused on overcoming specific challenges he faced in Round 3. “From the last MSBK round, I realized my skills and bike setup weren’t up to the mark. This time, HONDA ESTREMO YUZY RACING has fine-tuned the bike to make it competitive. Now, the pressure is on me to perform. Also, from ARRC, I learned that I enter corners too fast, so I’ll work on improving my cornering technique and push at 100%.” Min Jae sees MSBK as a stepping stone to greater achievements. “Racing in MSBK and ARRC has provided invaluable experience. Competing against some incredibly fast riders taught me lessons I wouldn’t learn elsewhere. It’s a great way to prepare for ATC next year.” When asked about his plans for MSBK next season, Min Jae remains uncertain. “I’m not sure if I’ll return to MSBK next year. My team and I are still working on our plans. However, I’m grateful for the opportunity this season and hope to finish strong.”
The season finale of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) will take place at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. Between Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of Honda Racing Thailand and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of Horizon Racing Team, who will be the one to end the season with a crown in the MSBK1000 A race category? Looking at his achievements throughout the season, Nakarin seems to have it all especially with a streak of 25-points from Round 2 and Round 3. The Thai rider was quick to adapt to the circuit ground and accelerate further with his pace to take hold of the top position in the overall standings chart. With a total of 124 points, 23 points ahead of his closest contender, Nakarin is almost there in making it champion for the season. However, the stakes are still high especially with home-ground rider, Azlan who is trailing right behind him with an upper-hand on the circuit ground. Question is, will Azlan be able to regain control of the circuit and defeat Nakarin? Commenting on the race, Nakarin said, “I give it my all in every race. There are no two-ways about it. But it also depends on the situations and rivalry. I still have to do my best to avoid the foreseeable risks. Riding definitely has its own sets of pressure points but it is also quite pleasurable for me. Round 4 is going to be fun for me. I think I can finish on top in Race 1 itself. I am quite confident about that. MSBK has presented me with great opportunities. I am able to enhance my performance and work on my riding techniques. Of course, juggling between championships is not easy but the continuous riding gives me the motivation to do better. The week-by-week race definitely causes exhaustion but this is where I have to manage my body, mind and emotions. Having enough rest is crucial. Throughout the season, we have found better settings at Sepang which is one of our biggest achievements. Honda machine has an added advantage at cornering. Other parts which might be a little disadvantage can be adapted depending on situations. For next season, it is still not firmed up. But with the opportunities gives, I will want to come back and do better.” Azlan said, “For me, I will go all out in the season finale. Sepang is my home-circuit so there is no two-way about it. I have to give my best shot and I have to succeed. That is my only goal for the season. It is definitely not going to be easy considering the likes of other riders who are equally competitive this season. While the going gets tougher, the ride has also been equally exciting and fun. My machine is currently in a good condition so I am not very worried. In fact, I am quite confident with the settings that suit the circuit layout and my riding style. I will do my best in the coming round and keep my fingers crossed that everything will go as planned.”
The season finale of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) will take place at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. In MSBK1000 B race category, Chan Qing Rong seemed to have familiarised with the circuit ground very quickly over the course of one season and two rounds before rising up to fame as the Weekend Warrior in the previous round next to his contender, Raja Nazeem Iskandar with the same score of 45 points. What would be the next move for the duo? The MSBK1000 B race category comes with its own sets of challenges however, the season saw a different take when Qing Rong found balance between riding techniques and the right machine setup before manoeuvring his wheels to a double-podium including one win in Race 2. Similarly, Raja Nazeem too took back two-podium finish with one win in Race 1. Both the riders definitely seemed to have found some valuable insights and strengths in overcoming the hurdles but yet to unfold is the coming round which is sure to induce a mix of pressure and pleasure. Qing Rong said, “A big part of my improvement was due to my participation in the Institute of Leadership training from Round 2 onwards. With that, I had a structured and systematic plan that kept me accountable on the track. My team too, played a huge role. They kept me grounded and I stayed true to being a responsible rider. I trained with mindfulness and passion which resulted in a more joyful outcome. I learnt to enjoy riding and give my all. 100% effort, 100% time. Of course, the biggest challenge would simply be keeping up with the big boys up front. My immediate goal is to maintain what I have done and aim to be 1 second above the threshold for group A participation. Having been in the racing scene for a while now, I see my closest contender Raja Nazeem as my good friend. He is an amazing rider and he’s the one that I know will be the best hurdle and challenge for me. Most importantly, he’s an inspiration to push for self-improvements. Racing is a long arduous process and I believe I will get there. I plan to hit 2.13s by the end of next season. Tall goal but also absolutely doable. If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” Raja Nazeem said, “For me, the obvious difference in machinery, shifting from Yamaha R1 to Suzuki GSXR1000. It was a last-minute surprise. But having ridden the Yamaha for the last 3 years which was literally the only thing I knew, it was a start from zero as I had to change my riding styles completely to complement the machine. All in all, I believe that the Suzuki machine suits my style and it’s completely straightforward. Apart from that, having two experienced technical members like Faez Yahya and Ching Hooi whom I’ve known for years have given me different riding perspectives. The coming round will definitely not be the same anymore for me as I’ve been bumped up to Group A. Personally, I feel that it’s an achievement as I will be in the same category as the pros. It will only drive me further to improve myself and be faster. In terms of expectations, it is definitely to enhance my performance and challenge the riders at the back of the group. Of course, I would also want to be competitive enough to fight among the mid-pack. I guess the challenge from that is to hold a faster pace throughout the race and build on my stamina. Personally, I think the biggest contender is myself. My objective is to constantly improve and reach my target of trying to close the gap between the professional and myself. I’m always driven and never doubted my riding capabilities, so with the right machinery setup and having the right people in my corner, I believe that there is much room to grow and improve in achieving my goals in racing.”
Round 3 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) will take place at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. Irfan Ardiansyah of Honda HWN SCK Racing Team is fuelled to accelerate further in his mission in the MSBK250 A while Md Naqib Rifqi is determined to carve yet another well-done achievement in the MSBK250 B. Indonesia rider, Irfan may have familiarised the circuit ground but he is definitely new to the scenes of MSBK yet he has outdone himself and emerged strong on the entry front. The rider currently takes the top spot in the overall standings with a total of 70 points, 4 points ahead of his teammate. Would he be able to sustain the position? Considering his two wins throughout the season, Irfan has definitely posed his abilities to navigate the circumstances of the racing scene effectively but looking at the point difference between him and his closest contenders, it is too soon to predict the outcome especially of a highly competitive feat. Commenting on the race, Irfan said, “I need to focus on the race on myself as the achievements are shared ones, for the team and myself. It will be interesting for both Gerry and myself but I have a bigger responsibility as I have a better chance of taking the championship title. The SIC is a very nice circuit. It is technical as well, especially in sector 3 and 4. It is also the sector that I need to improve. With the data that I have, we can try a different kind of setup to better those areas. The MSBK250 race category is more or less like the AP250 race category in ARRC. It is a highly competitive race with big groups. So, there are bigger opportunities for slip-streaming which is a key point in staying ahead of the others. For the coming round, I will give my best and aim for the title. As for the next season, we don’t know what is in store for us yet but if there is an opportunity, I would very much like to be back with the same team.” Gerry said, “For the season finale, I will try my best to perform optimally like the previous rounds. Our team’s achievements in the standings of 1 and 2 is definitely extraordinary but we can do more and we are confident that we will achieve more. My closest competitor is of course my own teammate but again, this is a race and I will do my best to catch up and if possible, take a one-up. There is a difference of 10 points and two more races to go. In that, anything can happen. So, I will stay positive and focus on doing more on my part. SIC is a technical circuit and riders must be able to get the correct line. The machine setting is equally important. So, these are some challenges that need to be overcome. Apart from that, the MSBK250 race category is quite a challenging and exciting feat because we have not only Malaysian riders but also the equivalent from Thailand. This year, Yamaha is also quite strong so it provides a more competitive edge to the game. I enjoyed the ride throughout the year and if an opportunity comes along for next season, I am in.” As for Naqib, MSBK has turned out to be quite a fair-game for the talented rider. He has not only been able to showcase his competitive side but has also garnered quite a reputation especially since his claim on the Weekend Warrior with a double-win in the recent race. In round 1, he conceded at third place overall after he made up in Race 2 for his poor performance in Race 1. Interestingly, he did not just make it but made it big with perfect scores in round 2. Could he pull yet another stunner in the coming round? Commenting on the race, Naqib said, “So far, this season has been a great one and I am very happy with my results. There has been a lot of difference between round 1 and round 2 especially with what I have learnt so far. I also improved tremendously throughout. MSBK250 race category is a unique kind of race for me. Previously, I raced using the underbone machine which was quite difficult for me to catch up with. With sufficient training with a 250 machine, I am really confident with my performance now and I will continue to fight among the front group. For the coming round, I am pretty confident that I can win. I am also sure that this coming round would be a tough one especially with riders upkeeping themselves with training but I am fully prepared for the challenge. In terms of preparation, I have been working out especially in improving my fitness level. This is really important to ensure that I have the right stamina to maintain my consistency throughout. My aim for this round and season is to continue taking a bold stance among the front troops and also to put a fighting spirit against the A group.”
The season finale of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) will take place at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. Who among the top five riders in the Yamaha R15M Race Elites will take home the victorious title? It’s a highly unpredictable race category especially with a close point difference among the top five riders who have all taken a step on the podium in the last four races. Abdullah Qayyum of Welly Racing Team currently takes the lead position with a total of 56 points, 1-point difference with Ahmad Syukran of Hiap Aik Racing Team who has a total of 55 points to his name. Md Izam Ikmal on the other hand takes the third spot overall with a total of 51 points, 1-point difference with his closest contender Arash Tsunami of BLH Glassteel 46 Racing at the fourth spot with a total of 50-points. Md Shafiq Ezzariq of Boon Hua Racing Team takes the fifth spot overall with a total of 44 points after making his first win for the season in Race 2 of Round 3. The challenge in the race category is the close call on all laps which requires riders to be on their toes at all times and with all of them having the opportunity to win, it is a matter of strategizing and striking it right. Who among them has what it takes this time around to make it to the top? Qayyum said, “I believe that every rider has their own strategy in place and I too have my own strategies. In fact, I have 3 different plans in place to ensure that I am fully prepared for unforeseen circumstances. I do hope that everything goes as planned. I also hope that it will rain as I am fully in control and confident. The race category is quite tough because all the machines are the same with the same level of performances. But as a rider, what’s more important is preparation of body and mind. I have a work routine which I follow up with diligently. My closest contender is Izam because he has a lot of mileage at SIC. It is no excuse though for me. I will still do my best and try for the champion title.” Syukran said, “In my opinion, the most important strategy in the race category is to avoid having gaps between the front and back troop and to always find the right opportunity for slip-streaming. I always learn the concepts and techniques of riding consistently as my preparation. Apart from that, I also do a lot of workouts to build my physical and mental strength. My closest contender at the moment would be Qayyum who is currently taking the lead with 1-point advantage.” Izam Ikmal said, “For me, the most crucial part would be the last two laps to ensure that I can get into the top five positions. I can’t say much on the machine because the power is the same for everyone and everybody has a chance to win. The most important thing would be to train myself so that I am prepared mentally and fight for the podium. The top three riders are strong and I am pretty sure that they will fight for the championship title. I also need some luck for the weekend and I am keeping my fingers crossed.” Arash said, “My plan is to maintain a stable mind so that I can enhance my discipline level. Discipline is important in motorsports and with that, comes the right attitude to succeed. I will continue to work on that before and after my race. I also have a lot to learn and I will continue doing that by watching previous videos of myself. I will investigate further where I went wrong and work towards improving. That will be my move for the coming round. My closest contender is Syukran but I will do my best to enhance my performance.” Shafiq said, “It is really important to strategize and plan accordingly. Most important for me would be the last three laps especially in managing my position and finding the right moment to strike. On the last lap, it’s the three last turns that is the most crucial moment. All riders will do the same for sure and I am also very certain they will come fully prepared. On my part, I will study the previous sessions and learn from my mistakes. I will try to fix my limitations where possible. My closest contenders are many. In fact, all of them are equally competitive. So, let’s see how it goes on the weekend!”
The season finale of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) will take place at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. Will Md Adib Arsyad of SGH Credit bag a double-win before claiming the championship title? It was a great start for Adib this season when he barged ahead of the troop in Round 2 to take a double-win, scoring a flat 50-points for himself. In Round 3 however, Adib may not have scored the flying colours but it was successful enough for him to take lead of the overall standings with a total of 76 points to his name and 36 points ahead of the rider next in line. In his failure to compete competitively in Round 3, he may have found his rivalry in Azrul Affendi of CSL Brothers who took the win in Race 1 and Ahmad Jebat of SCM Factory Racing who bagged victory in Race 2. While both the riders are far off from Adib in terms of overall points, it surely seems like they are capable of injecting pressure and reducing his competitive stride. Apart from that, there are the likes of other riders who are equally on par, capable of disrupting Adib’s attempt of becoming a champion. So, will Adib choose to play it safe or will he go all out to showcase his strengths? Commenting on the race, Adib said, “I plan to find a balance between playing it safe and pushing beyond the limits. It is important to avoid unnecessary risks but at the same time, to maintain an aggressive yet calculated approach in helping secure the lead position without losing momentum. In Round 3, the weather conditions and track grip posed significant challenges. Additionally, the competition was also more intense than the previous round. With the riders improving on their strategies, it was harder to maintain dominance.” “I believe all the riders are my closest rival because they have consistently shown strong performance and seem to have improved on their machine setup. Their cornering speed and consistency too has enhanced making them tough competitors. However, I am quite confident with my strengths at SIC especially with my cornering techniques and the ability to maintain high speeds on the long-straights. I am also familiar with the track layout which gives me an edge in anticipating critical turns and braking zones. So, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I will hit it big this time around. If I become the champion, the next move would be to take on the international challenges. I want to gain exposure and experience at a higher level. I also want to work on refining my skills and building a strong team to support my journey in motorsports.”
After a remarkable five-race winning streak in the MSBK600 category, BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM’s Muhd Helmi Azman found himself off the podium in Race 2 of Round 3 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Helmi, who had dominated both rounds leading up to Round 3 by winning every race, was left to settle for 4th place in wet conditions, as Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND took the victory. Helmi’s teammate Muhd Syarifuddin Azman secured the third spot, while Japan’s Okaya Yuta finished second. Helmi, though, couldn’t hide his disappointment as he saw his winning streak come to an end. Helmi revealed the struggles that led to his unexpected result, “In Race 2, I was still trying to win despite the wet conditions,” Helmi said. “But something happened with the electronics after I used launch control on the grid. The bike was stuck with a speed limiter, so I couldn’t push as hard as I wanted to.” The P4 finish was a stark contrast to his earlier performances in the season, where Helmi had established himself as the rider to beat. When asked about his feelings on seeing his winning streak broken, he remained composed. “I’m still feeling positive,” he shared. “This doesn’t affect me much mentally. I missed out on the win this time, but I will come back stronger for the last round.” Helmi was candid about what went wrong in Race 2 and what needs to improve moving forward, “The bike needs to have the right setup for grip,” he explained. “If the grip isn’t there, it’s tough to manage the race. It’s something we need to focus on.” Looking ahead to the final round, Helmi is determined to fine-tune both his bike and his riding strategy, “For Round 4, I’ll be focusing more on the bike setup and making my riding smoother. It’s about finding that consistency in lap times.” The battle for the championship is now heating up, with Thanat proving to be a strong contender. Helmi, however, is not letting the pressure get to him. “Thanat is definitely the main challenger, but for me, it’s about staying focused on each race and fighting for the win,” he concluded.
In his debut at Round 3 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship, Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil of YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA proved himself a formidable talent. The young rider took the MSBK250 A category by storm at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, where he dominated both Race 1 and Race 2 to claim the title of Weekend Champion. Despite being a newcomer, Farres managed to outperform more experienced riders, securing two hard-fought victories and making a strong impression in his debut. Farres expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity and was quick to thank his team and supporters for helping him reach this point. “I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to compete in the MSBK250 A category,” Farres shared. “Winning both races in my first appearance feels amazing, especially because it’s so tough to achieve. I didn’t expect to be a weekend champion in my debut, and I’m really happy with the result.” The battle in Race 2 was especially tense, as Farres found himself up against his teammate Ahmad Afif Amran and a strong contingent of Honda riders, including Kitsada Tanashot of HONDA RACING THAILAND, as well as Irfan Ardiansyah and Gerry Salim, duo of HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM. Despite being outnumbered on the track, Farres credited the teamwork between himself and Afif as a key factor in their success. “Race 2 was incredibly intense,” he said. “Honda had more riders, so it was just Afif and me representing Yamaha. Even though we had less support, Afif’s experience really helped us both get on the podium. His guidance was invaluable.” Farres also reflected on how much he owed his success to the mentorship of Afif Amran, a three-time Malaysian Cub Prix CP150 category champion, as well as the technical expertise of his crew chief. “Afif has been a role model for me since I was young. Having him as my teammate is a dream come true. And Amir, our crew chief, was a huge help in solving issues with the bike throughout the weekend. Without them, this wouldn’t have been possible,” he explained. Looking ahead, Farres is clear about his ambitions. Winning has boosted his confidence, but he knows there’s more work to do if he wants to maintain his winning form and improve his overall performance. “This victory has given me a lot of confidence, but it also drives me to work even harder,” he said. “I want to keep winning, but I also want to focus on improving my lap times. Even though I’ve won, I know I’m not yet the fastest on track. That’s something I’m working to change.”