Category: 2026-R1

FAHMI: FROM ZERO TO RACER

For most motorcycle riders, the journey begins at a young age. From riding pocket bikes, slowly climbing the ranks through years of racing experience. But for Mohd Fahmi Abdul Wahaf of FGRT PROJECT ONE, the road into professional racing began differently. There were no junior championships. No childhood racing background. No early years spent on circuits. Instead, Fahmi’s journey began in 2022 with a purchase that would unexpectedly change the course of his life, with a Ducati Panigale V4. “First of all, I got involved in motorsports after buying my first superbike, a Ducati Panigale V4, in 2022,” Fahmi recalled. “I attended my very first track day in July 2022. After experiencing track riding for the first time, I realised that simply riding during track days was no longer enough for me. Something inside me wanted more. That was when I decided to join riding classes with Coach Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, and that marked the true beginning of my journey in racing.” What started as curiosity quickly evolved into commitment. Fahmi still remembers his first riding lesson with former national rider Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman on 22 September 2022, a moment he now sees as the turning point of his racing career. “At the beginning, my goal was simply to learn the correct riding techniques for track days,” he explained. “But over time, under Coach Azlan’s guidance, I improved and became more confident on the bike. Eventually, I shared my dream of becoming a racer with him, and he took my ambition seriously. From that moment onward, the training became much more intense and focused because we were no longer preparing just for track days, we were preparing for racing.” Unlike many riders in the paddock who began racing at a young age, Fahmi entered the sport later in life and directly into superbike racing, a path he admits came with its own challenges. “Yes, my journey is definitely different from most professional riders,” he said. “I started at a much later age, but age has never stopped my passion for motorsports. Every rider faces challenges in this sport. Some riders are naturally gifted and adapt very quickly. For me, I relied more on determination, discipline, hard work, and consistent training to reach this level.” That determination soon led him to the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship, the platform that would ultimately shape his racing career. Fahmi made his debut in the MSBK1000 A category during Round 4 of the 2023 season at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit on 17 December 2023, which became a moment that remains unforgettable. “At that time, my best lap time at Sepang was around 2’19:000s,” Fahmi recalled. “Back then, I joined races mainly to gain experience and learn as much as possible. I was also very fortunate to begin my racing journey with FGRT PROJECT ONE, a team that gave me the opportunity and support during the early stages of my career.” But the rider who entered the grid then is vastly different from the one competing today. “Now, my mindset is completely different. Today, I race to compete with other riders and fight for podiums, victories, and championships.” While the journey has been rewarding, it has also demanded sacrifices. “The biggest challenges for me are fitness, time, and energy management,” Fahmi admitted. “At my current age, I have to compete against younger riders and full-time professional racers. At the same time, I also have responsibilities outside racing, including my career and family commitments. Because of that, I need to work even harder to remain competitive at this level.” Yet, through hard work and persistence, Fahmi’s progress in MSBK has opened doors far beyond Malaysia, earning him an opportunity to race in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Still, Fahmi never forgets where it all truly began. For him, MSBK was not just another championship. It was the platform that transformed a newcomer with zero racing experience into a rider capable of competing at a professional level. And for those who believe it may be “too late” to pursue a dream, here’s Fahmi’s message to all: “I believe there is no such thing as ‘too late’ in any field, including racing. The most important things are passion, dedication, consistency, and the willingness to work hard for your dreams.”

ADENANTA BOUNCED BACK IN RACE 2

Round 1 of the 2026 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit delivered a thrilling wet-weather showdown in Race 2 of the MSBK1000 A category, where Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM produced a composed and decisive performance to secure victory and bounce back from a difficult Race 1. The race was initially delayed after a red flag was shown during the warm-up lap due to a sudden change in weather. With rain intensifying, Race Direction called teams back into the pits as they quickly switched to wet tyres, setting up a shortened seven-lap sprint on a fully soaked circuit. When the race finally got underway, Muhd Zaqhwan Zaidi from Malaysia immediately surged into the lead, setting a strong early pace despite the treacherous conditions. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA followed in second, with Adenanta settling into third ahead of Adam Norrodin and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT. By Lap 2, Zaqhwan was pushing at extreme pace, reaching 282km/h, but Adenanta remained close in the fight, just 0.276s behind. On Lap 3, Azlan made a significant move into second place with a fastest lap of 2’28.075s, closing rapidly on the leader, while Adenanta stayed steady in third and Adam continued a lone ride in fourth. Zaqhwan responded on Lap 4 with another fastest lap of 2’27.266s, but Azlan stayed within striking distance. Lap 5 saw Azlan push harder again with a 2’25.738s lap, tightening the battle at the front as Adenanta and Adam gradually edged closer to the lead group. The decisive moment came on Lap 6 when Azlan briefly took the lead, only for Adenanta to immediately counter with a clean and calculated overtake to seize first place. From there, he controlled the final lap under intense pressure. Adenanta crossed the line in 17’14.132s to claim victory, followed by Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman in 17’16.001s and Muhd Zaqhwan Zaidi in 17’16.937s after a late charge. Adenanta said, “This weekend both races were wet, and it’s my first experience in these conditions in this category. Yesterday I had good pace but crashed on the last lap. I learned from that—today I stayed calm, improved lap by lap, and managed the tyres better. In the final laps, I knew I could push. Alhamdulillah for the win. This is important for my experience, and now I’m ready for Round 2 of ARRC in Buriram.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. MOHAMMAD ADENANTA PUTRA – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (17’14.132s) 2. AZLAN SHAH KAMARUZAMAN – AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT (17’16.001s) 3. MUHD ZAQWHAN ZAIDI – MALAYSIA (17’16.937s) 4. ADAM NORRODIN – AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT (17’17.188s) 5. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (17’25.305s)

SANTHIRAN WEEKEND CHAMPION

Round 1 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit continued to deliver unpredictable drama, as Race 2 of the MSBK1000 B category unfolded in wet and challenging conditions. The race was initially delayed when a sudden change in weather during the warm-up lap triggered a red flag, forcing riders back to the pits. With rain intensifying, Race Direction declared a delay as teams quickly switched to wet tyres, setting up a shortened seven-lap sprint on a slippery and unpredictable surface. As the race started, Jeff Cheong of B.A TUNING launched strongly to take the holeshot, with Santhiran A/L Naga Raju from Malaysia close behind in second. Chau Chi Chuen, also of B.A TUNING, settled into third, followed by Teuku Irfan Affandy of TRIPLE A MOTOEXPERT. By Lap 2, Santhiran began to apply pressure on Jeff at the front, while the battle behind intensified as Wesley Lim Shing Shiong of SAVITAR TEAM ASIA moved up into fourth, tightening the leading group. The order briefly stabilised on Lap 4 with Santhiran leading Jeff, followed by Chi Chuen, and Wesley. Lap 5 proved crucial when Wesley capitalised on an opportunity to overtake Chi Chuen for third, reshuffling the podium fight. However, the changing wet conditions continued to test the riders, with constant position battles through Lap 6. Heading into the final lap, Santhiran held firm at the front, showing exceptional control and consistency under pressure. Jeff remained within striking distance but was unable to launch a decisive attack. Behind them, Chi Chuen fought back to secure third ahead of Wesley, while Alvinderjitsingh stayed in contention. At the chequered flag, Santhiran secured his second win of the weekend in 19’03.694s, confirming his status as Weekend Champion. Jeff Cheong finished second in 19’20.125s, just 0:394 seconds behind, while Chau Chi Chuen completed the podium in 19’32.575s. Santhiran said, “The conditions were really tricky after the rain, so I focused on staying consistent and avoiding mistakes. Jeff had strong pace early on, but once I found my rhythm, I managed to control the race. I’m really happy to take two wins this weekend and become the Weekend Champion. Big thanks to my team for the great setup in wet conditions. A big thanks to my brothers who supported me as sponsors for this race.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. SANTHIRAN A/L NAGA RAJU – MALAYSIA (19’03.694s) 2. JEFF CHEONG – B.A TUNING (19’20.125s) 3. WESLEY LIM SHING SHIONG – SAVITAR TEAM ASIA (19’32.575s) 4. CHAU CHI CHUEN – B.A TUNING (19’38.041s) 5. ALVINDERJITSINGH – MALAYSIA (19’58.964s)

THANAT DOUBLED THE VICTORY

Round 1 of the 2026 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit saw Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND produce a flawless performance in Race 2 of the MSBK600 category, securing a dominant lights-to-flag win to complete a perfect weekend. Thanat immediately took control from the start, launching into the lead ahead of Malaysia’s Khairul Idham Pawi and Muhd Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi, with China’s He Jun Peng settling into fourth. From the opening laps, the Thai rider looked composed and confident, setting the rhythm of the race while Khairul remained his closest pursuer. By Lap 3, Thanat stamped his authority with the fastest lap of 2’12.865s, gradually extending his advantage while Khairul stayed within 1.066 seconds. However, as the race developed, the gap steadily increased. By Lap 7, Thanat had stretched his lead to 2.776 seconds, with Khairul struggling to maintain consistency under heavy braking into the technical sections. The decisive phase came in the closing laps, where Thanat continued to edge away from the chasing pack. By Lap 8, the gap had grown to 3.318 seconds, effectively sealing the outcome. With clear air ahead, he controlled the pace and brought the bike home comfortably to win in 22’21.178s. Behind him, Khairul Idham Pawi settled for second place in 22’25.779s after a demanding race managing tyre and braking performance, while Muhd Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi secured third in 22’41.805s. He Jun Peng of China completed the top four, rounding out the leading group. Thanat shared, “I’m very happy with this race. We tried to pull away from Khairul and managed to win. The wind was very strong, especially in Sectors 2 and 3, so it was difficult to push because the bike could slide. But I felt confident, and I’m ready for Round 2 of ARRC. I know I’m strong, but I still need to improve further.” TOP 4 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (22’21.178s) 2. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – MALAYSIA (22’25.779s) 3. MUHD NAQIB RIFQI ZULHELMI – MALAYSIA (22’41.805s) 4. HE JUN PENG – CHINA (24’07.648s)

PERFECT DOUBLE FOR IRFAN

Race 2 of the MSBK250 A category in Round 1 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit delivered another dramatic showdown, as Irfan Ardiansyah of NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM secured a sensational double victory after a last-corner battle with Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA. At the start, Haykhal launched perfectly to take the holeshot, with Irfan slotting into second ahead of Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin of TEAM ACR and Muhd Akif Abdullah. The race was immediately reduced when Allwin Xavier of RACR CASTROL POWER1 crashed out in the early stages. By Lap 2, Haykhal controlled the pace at the front, but Irfan stayed firmly attached to his rear wheel, never allowing a gap to form. Behind them, a tight three-way fight developed for third between Nazirul, Nguyen Huu Tri of HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM, and Akif, all fighting within striking distance. On Lap 3, Haykhal set the fastest lap of 2’26.223s in an attempt to break away, but Irfan responded immediately, matching the pace and keeping the pressure alive. The leading pair began to edge clear, building a small gap of around three seconds over the chasing group, where the battle for the final podium spot intensified. Lap 5 saw Nazirul briefly move into third, but Huu Tri and Akif refused to let go, staying close and constantly attacking. Up front, the momentum shifted on Lap 6 when Irfan made his move to take the lead, forcing Haykhal into chase mode. The final lap delivered maximum drama. Irfan defended strongly through the opening sectors, while Haykhal waited for his moment. At the final corner, Haykhal attempted a bold move and briefly edged ahead, but ran wide on exit, allowing Irfan to cut back underneath in a perfectly timed counter. In a drag to the line, Irfan Ardiansyah crossed first in 19’43.732s, just 0.106s ahead of Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi. Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin completed the podium in 19’48.238s, ahead of Nguyen Huu Tri and Muhd Akif Abdullah after an intense fight for third. Irfan commented, “I just focused during the race. When I overtook, I focused on maintaining my position. On the last lap, I just went full gas. I didn’t know if someone would overtake me, so I pushed as hard as I could until the end.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM (19’43.732s) 2. MD IRFAN HAYKHAL AMIDI – MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (19’43.838s) 3. NAZIRUL IZZAT MD BAHAUDDIN – TEAM ACR (19’48.238s) 4. NGUYEN HUU TRI – HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM (19’48.285s) 5. MUHD AKIF ABDULLAH – MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (19’48.486s)

CARLSEN WEEKEND CHAMPION

Round 1 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit delivered a powerful redemption story in Race 2 of the MSBK250 B category, as Carlsen Jacob Solis of FCC-HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM bounced back in style to secure victory and claim the Weekend Champion title. From the start, Carlsen wasted no time asserting control, launching strongly into the lead ahead of Ng Wei Shyang of MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM, while Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan of RACR CASTROL POWER1 settled into third position. The early laps immediately set the tone for a race defined by consistency and control. By Lap 2, Kabilesh made a decisive move to overtake Wei Shyang for second, establishing himself as the closest challenger. However, Carlsen had already built a commanding advantage at the front, stretching his lead to over 14 seconds, effectively putting the race under his control from an early stage. From Laps 3 to 7, the front-running trio maintained their positions, with Kabilesh attempting to close the gap but unable to reduce Carlsen’s margin. The leader remained composed throughout, managing pace and tyre performance effectively in clean air while his rivals focused on securing their positions behind him. Despite Kabilesh’s determined push for a potential double victory on the weekend, Carlsen remained untouchable. His consistency and confidence allowed him to control the rhythm of the race without any major pressure from behind. On the final lap, Carlsen Jacob Solis crossed the chequered flag in commanding fashion with a winning time of 20’32.094s, completing a remarkable turnaround after a difficult Race 1 and sealing the Weekend Champion title. Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan followed in second place at 20’54.002s, while Ng Wei Shyang completed the podium in 21’25.675s. Carlsen said, “We changed some settings on the bike, so thanks to the team for that. Yesterday was a difficult race, but they worked on the setup and handlebars to help me regain confidence. I’m really grateful to them, and also to my family and friends for their support.” TOP 3 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. CARLSEN JACOB SOLIS – FCC-HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM (20’32.094s) 2. KABILESH RAJINI KRISHNAN – RACR CASTROL POWER1 (20’54.002s) 3. NG WEI SHYANG – MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM (21’25.675s)

ADAM FINISHED ON TOP

Treacherous wet conditions set the tone for an action-packed Race 2 of the BERJAYA SOMPO YAMAHA R15M Race Elites category at Round 1 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026, held at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. At lights out, Raja Abdurraqib Raja Norfatihah of BEN HUAT MOTOR made a strong start to lead the pack, with Adam Danial Abdul Fattah of BERJAYA MEGA and Ahmad Malek Ridha of LKT MOTOR closely in tow. The opening laps saw tight battles across the field, but the wet surface quickly began to take its toll. Drama struck on Lap 2 when Muhd Ikram Dani of TME MOTOR lost control after running onto the curb, triggering a series of incidents that also saw Mohd Arrfan Ashraf of KEAT SENG MOTOR and Muhd Ali Imran Mohd Dzul Hijri of CHJ MOTORS crash out. The high attrition rate highlighted just how demanding the conditions were. By Lap 3, Adam Danial had taken control of the race, demonstrating remarkable composure in the slippery conditions. Behind him, Shahuzzaifie Adli Shafendi of FASROI M SB emerged as a serious contender, setting the fastest lap of the race at 3’18.292s and storming into second place. The battle intensified with riders like Che Muhammad Daniel Syazwan of SENG HOE MOTOR of and Adam Hariz Hafiz of K SENG MOTOR pushing into the top positions. Heading into Lap 4, Adam maintained his lead under mounting pressure from Shahuzzaifie, while Md Akif Qayyum Rosefendy of TKC RACING climbed into podium contention. Raja, who had led the early stages, began to slip back as the race entered its decisive phase. The final lap delivered a dramatic twist. As the leading group fought for position, Raja’s race ended in heartbreak with a crash at Turn 15, reshaping the podium fight in the closing moments. At the chequered flag, Adam Danial held his nerve to secure a hard-earned victory in 16’40.786s, fending off Shahuzzaifie by just 0.068s in one of the closest finishes of the weekend. Akif completed the podium with a strong ride to third. Reflecting on his performance, Adam said, “When it comes to wet race, it’s no longer just about speed, but how smart you race. I saw riders falling throughout the race, so I had to be extra careful because I wanted to finish. I guess I did well today, and the victory is mine.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. ADAM DANIAL ABDUL FATTAH – BERJAYA MEGA (16’40.786s) 2. SHAHUZZAIFIE ADLI SHAFENDI – FASROI M SB (16’40.854s) 3. MD AKIF QAYYUM ROSEFENDY – TKC RACING (16’45.969s) 4. ADAM HARIZ HAFIZ – K SENG MOTOR (16’48.244s) 5. CHE MUHAMMAD DANIEL SYAZWAN – SENG HOE MOTOR (16’49.249s)

ZAQHWAN STUNNED SEPANG IN LATE DRAMA

  Race 1 of the MSBK1000 A category at Round 1 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit saw Muhd Zaqhwan Zaidi from Malaysia seizing victory in dramatic fashion after a chaotic final lap. Zaqhwan made a strong start but was quickly shuffled back as Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT took control. By Lap 2, Azlan was leading at 272km/h, with Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA emerging as a key contender, while Adam Norrodin of AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT and Zaqhwan remained in close pursuit. The battle intensified through the mid-race stages, with multiple lead changes between Azlan, Kasma, Adenanta, and Adam. Fastest laps tumbled—2’23.907s from Kasma, 2’22.366s from Azlan, and 2’22.124s from Adenanta—as the front group stayed tightly packed, reaching speeds of over 285km/h. In the closing laps, the fight reached its peak. Adam briefly took the lead on Lap 9 before being repassed by Adenanta, setting up a five-rider showdown heading into the final lap. Drama struck immediately when Adam crashed at Turn 1, followed shortly by Adenanta, handing the advantage to Kasma, with Zaqhwan right behind and Azlan in third. On the final corner, Zaqhwan made his move. Timing it to perfection, he overtook Kasma and powered to the line to win in 23’56.849s, just 0.071s ahead. Kasma settled for second, while Azlan completed the podium after a race-long fight at the front. Zaqhwan said, “Actually, in the first lap I didn’t feel confident. I was 50-50 and thought maybe I could only finish around fifth because it was hard to reach the front group. But in the last four laps, things got better. I caught up step by step, and I believed I could fight for the podium. I stayed patient, watched for their mistakes, and in the final lap, I took the opportunity.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. MUHD ZAQWHAN ZAIDI – MALAYSIA (23’56.849s) 2. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (23’56.920s) 3. AZLAN SHAH KAMARUZAMAN – AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT (23’57.574s) 4. ADAM NORRODIN – AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT (24’16.171s) 5. MOHAMMAD ADENANTA PUTRA – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (24’28.856s)

THANAT MASTERED WET CHAOS

  Treacherous wet conditions set the tone for a dramatic MSBK600 Race 1 at Round 1 of the 2026 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship, as Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND delivered a controlled and commanding ride to take victory at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Run in heavy rain on a fully wet track, the race demanded precision and bravery from the start. Thanat quickly asserted control off the line to lead, with Malaysia’s Khairul Idham Pawi slotting into second and teammate Kitsada Tanachot in third. Muhd Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi and China’s He Jun Peng completed the top five. By Lap 2, Khairul, known as the ‘King of Rain’, closed rapidly on Thanat, but worsening weather conditions triggered a red flag for safety. After a restart over a shortened 7-lap sprint, Thanat once again led the field into Turn 1, with Kitsada second and Khairul briefly third before reclaiming second through a decisive move at Turn 7. The battle for victory immediately intensified as Khairul stayed glued to Thanat’s rear wheel. Thanat responded with strong pace, setting a fastest lap of 2’30.213s on Lap 3 and improving to 2’28.797s on Lap 4 to stretch a small gap. Khairul, however, refused to back down, keeping the pressure high throughout. On Lap 6, Thanat delivered a standout 2’18.340s lap, and heading into the final lap, he found another gear to extend his advantage to 1.266s, enough to seal the win. Thanat crossed the line in 17’29.361s for a hard-fought victory. Khairul finished second at 17’30.711s after a relentless chase, while Kitsada secured third in 17’41.652s. Thanat shared, “Today was difficult from Qualifying, but in the wet race I felt confident. I tried to stay consistent with my lap times and pushed when I saw the opportunity, with the aim of winning the race. Overall, I feel very happy, and tomorrow we will try to win again in Race 2.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (17’29.361s) 2. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – MALAYSIA (17’30.711s) 3. KITSADA TANACHOT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (17’41.652s) 4. MUHD NAQIB RIFQI ZULHELMI – MALAYSIA (17’48.121s) 5. HE JUN PENG – CHINA (18’52.534s)

IRFAN EDGED HAYKHAL IN LAST-LAP DUEL

  The Round 1 of 2026 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship happened at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, as Irfan Ardiansyah of NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM delivered a perfectly timed final-lap move to win Race 1 of MSBK250 A. At the start, Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA grabbed the holeshot, with Irfan slotting into second and Nguyen Huu Tri of HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM briefly holding third. Behind them, a tight battle developed for fourth between Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin of TEAM ACR and Md Akif Abdullah of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA. By Lap 2, Irfan reclaimed second and immediately focused on Haykhal, as the leading trio pulled clear of the field. On Lap 3, Irfan set the fastest lap of 2’25.985s, but Haykhal remained composed at the front, defending with precision. The gap at the front continued to shrink, with Irfan closing to just 0.036s by Lap 7. Still, Haykhal held firm as the race headed into a tense final-lap showdown. Then came the decisive moment. Irfan attacked at the final corner, briefly taking the lead before Haykhal responded, but Irfan struck again and made it stick. In a drag to the line, Irfan edged victory in 19’38.497s, just 0.038s ahead of Haykhal in a nail-biting finish. Nguyen Huu Tri secured a solid third place at 19’42.426s, while Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin finished fourth ahead of Savion Sabu of RACR CASTROL POWER1 in fifth. Irfan commented, “Actually, me and Haykhal had a similar pace, so I was just waiting to get a good moment to attack. I chose the last lap to make my move, and the victory became mine. I’m so happy.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM (19’38.497s) 2. MD IRFAN HAYKHAL AMIDI – MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (19’38.535s) 3. NGUYEN HUU TRI – HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM (19’42.426s) 4. NAZIRUL IZZAT MD BAHAUDDIN – TEAM ACR (19’57.642s) 5. SAVION SABU – RACR CASTROL POWER1 (20’00.409s)