The season opener of the Aeon Credit MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship will be back this weekend at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. MSBK1000 A and MSBK1000 B riders are fuelled up to embark and embrace the twist of fate that comes with the new season. It was an exciting scene in the MSBK1000 A race category last season when Thai lad, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of Honda Racing Thailand defeated home-ground rider, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of Horizon Racing Team with a 174-point finish. With both of them out of the race for the coming round, it’s the much-needed advantage for Kasma Daniel who finished third last season with a 6-point difference to score the big sweep this season. Having said that though, the entry list with a total of 14 riders from 6 different countries may not be as easy as it seems. Kasma said, “I don’t think I have the advantage here as it is not as easy as it may seem because there are strong contenders like Azroy and he is known to be highly competitive especially on Sepang grounds. I will only stay focused on building the momentum and creating a consistent pace throughout the race. My preparations are the same, mostly revolving around fitness training and building my stamina. For the 1000cc machine, that is one of the most important criteria. As for the machine, many of us know that Yamaha has not produced a new R1 therefore the machine that I will be riding is the same like the last 2 years. So, the challenge is pretty heavy since Honda and BMW have come up with a new machine. Nevertheless, I will still be as competitive as possible and try to be on the podium in all the races.” As for the MSBK1000 B race category, a total of 6 riders from 3 countries will participate in the challenge. Last season’s championship lead, Md Fahmi of FGRT Project will take a leap into the MSBK1000 A race category whereas 1st and 2nd runner up, Md Azlly Shaari and Heng Si Kiat will not be participating in the coming round. Theva Kumaran of Mobilub Suzuki Racing Team and Alvinderjitsingh on the other hand will be back once again to make the most of their participation.
The 2025 AEON CREDIT MAM MALAYSIA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIOSHIP (MSBK) is turning up the heat with the arrival of reigning MSBK600 champion, Muhammad Helmi Azman, in the premier MSBK1000 category. Riding for Honda Racing Malaysia, Helmi’s promotion to the literbike class comes off the back of a near-flawless 2024 campaign—one that saw him clinch seven wins out of eight races to secure the MSBK600 crown in dominant fashion. Now, the ever-determined 25-year-old is ready to take on a new challenge at full throttle. “Looking back at the 2024 season, I can say it was a perfect year for me in MSBK600. The team and I were always focused on race pace, and every weekend, our target was to finish on top. The team worked really hard on the machine and the setup to make the bike more comfortable and easier for me to ride. It was a season full of teamwork, consistency, and good energy. I’m really proud of what we achieved together,” Helmi reflected with a smile. For Helmi, stepping up to the MSBK1000 category is more than just a promotion It’s the next step in his career journey. “This is a really good opportunity for me, and I’m very thankful to Honda Racing Malaysia for trusting me with this step forward. It’s a big moment for my future as a rider, and I will work really hard to make the most of it. I want to grow, learn, and be competitive in the top class,” he said. Transitioning from a 600cc machine to a 1000cc superbike, Helmi is embracing the challenge with open arms. “The 1000cc bike is obviously more powerful and heavier than the 600cc bike. The riding style is completely different, so I have to adapt quickly. I’m focused on getting the right feeling with the bike and understanding how to ride it well. I’m still in the learning process, but I’m giving my best every session,” he explained. Helmi’s preparation has been limited. “To be honest, I haven’t had a proper test on the 1000cc bike yet. My main experience came from riding at the Suzuka 8 Hours last year, so I’m using that mileage and experience to build my rhythm now,” he shared. Coming into the new season as the 600cc champion also brings a unique pressure, but it’s one Helmi welcomes. “I definitely put some pressure on myself because I want to fight at the front, and I believe I can do that. But at the same time, I know I need time to fully understand the bike and get into the rhythm. It’s all about balancing expectations and growth,” he added. As for his targets in his rookie MSBK1000 season? Helmi keeps it simple and ambitious. “I want to fight for the podium in every race. That’s the goal. And of course, I’m dreaming of being the champion again this year. I’ll keep pushing with the team to make it happen.” Whether it’s about learning, adapting, or chasing the top step of the podium, one thing’s for sure, the #1 plate holder from MSBK600 isn’t here just to make up the numbers. He’s here to win.
Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship culminated in a thrilling Race 2 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, with Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND clinching victory. Despite already securing the championship title after Race 1, Nakarin displayed unwavering determination to dominate once again, securing his sixth consecutive win of the season. The race began with Azroy Hakeem Anuar of BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM leading the charge, closely followed by Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA. Nakarin started in P3, calmly trailing the front-runners while fending off pressure from Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of HORIZON RACING TEAM and Md Ibrahim Md Norrodin of FGRT PROJECT. Nakarin made his move by Lap 3, overtaking Azroy and Kasma to seize the lead. From there, the Thai rider maintained a blistering pace, gradually pulling away from the group. Crossing the finish line at 21’15:661s, Nakarin secured a commanding victory with a gap of 5:322s. Nakarin shared, “Amazing race to end the season! I kept my pace from the beginning, which was really difficult with the tight competition. I stayed focused on my lap times and improving my riding style. Winning the championship this season has been incredible. I’ll continue working hard and look forward to coming back stronger next season.” Kasma clocked 21’21:899s to finish second, while Azroy completed the podium in third with a time of 21’51:959s. Despite a DNF in Race 2, Azlan Shah claimed first runner-up overall in the MSBK1000 A category for the 2024 season. Kasma was awarded second runner-up overall, marking a strong finish to an intense championship battle. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. Nakarin Atiratphuvaphat – HONDA RACING THAILAND (21’15:661s) 2. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin – YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA (21’21:899s) 3. Azroy Hakeem Anuar – BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM (21’51:959s) 4. Chen Hong Yan – China (22’18:958s) 5. Muhd Amir Izzat Rozali – HORIZON RACING TEAM (22’28:899s) OVERALL STANDINGS 1. Nakarin Atiratphuvaphat – HONDA RACING THAILAND (174 points) 2. Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman – HORIZON RACING TEAM (117 points) 3. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin – YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA (111 points) 4. Azroy Hakeem Anuar – BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM (89.5 points) 5. Md Ibrahim Md Norrodin – FGRT Project (73.5 points)
Mohd Fahmi Abdul Wahaf of FGRT PROJECT delivered an outstanding performance in Race 2 of the MSBK1000 B category at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, securing both the race victory and the coveted Weekend Champion title. The race started with Mohd Azlly Shaari of FGRT PROJECT leading the pack, but Azlly faced relentless pressure from his teammate Fahmi and Singaporean rider Heng Si Kiat. Determined to claim the Weekend Champion title, Fahmi overtook Si Kiat to take P2 and began closing the gap to Azlly. By Lap 5, Fahmi made his decisive move, overtaking Azlly to claim the lead. From there, he increased his pace, crossing the finish line at 23’01:853s, leaving Azlly 1:621s behind. Fahmi expressed his joy, saying, “I’ve waited so long for this victory. A big thank you to my coach, team, and everyone who supported me throughout the season. This was a great race and an unforgettable season.” Azlly secured second place with a time of 23’03:615s, while Heng Si Kiat completed the podium at 23’30:462s. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. Mohd Fahmi Abdul Wahaf – FGRT PROJECT (23’01:853s) 2. Mohd Azlly Shaari – FGRT PROJECT (23’03:615s) 3. Heng Si Kiat – Singapore (23’30:462s) 4. Wesley Lim Shing Shong – SAVITAR ESG ASIA (21’19:709s) 5. Tee Wee Jin – MOBILUB SUZUKI RACING TEAM (21’24:403s)
Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship unfolded at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, with Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND securing a commanding victory in Race 1. His stellar performance not only earned him the race win but also crowned him the 2024 MSBK1000 A champion. The day began with an intense qualifying session that saw Azroy Hakeem Anuar of BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM clock the fastest lap at 2’06:770s. Lachlan Epis of SAVITAR ESG ASIA followed closely with a time of 2’06:776s, while Nakarin posted the third-best lap at 2’06:854s. As Race 1 got underway, the lead changed hands multiple times in the opening laps before Nakarin established his dominance. The Thai rider took control ahead of a trio of Malaysian contenders, including Azroy, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of HORIZON RACING TEAM, and Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA. Nakarin set the fastest lap of the race on Lap 3 with a blistering time of 2’06:732s, reaching an impressive top speed of 288.8 km/h. Despite mounting pressure from the Malaysian riders behind him, Nakarin held his composure, maintaining a consistent pace to lead the race from start to finish. Crossing the line with a time of 17’02:770s, Nakarin secured the win and sealed the MSBK1000 A title with an unassailable points tally. Azroy finished just 1.177 seconds behind at 17’03:947s, followed by Azlan in third place at 17’04:145s. Nakarin said: “It was an amazing race and an incredible result! This has been a really good season in MSBK. I’m proud to have clinched the championship early, and I’ll give my best again in Race 2 tomorrow. A big thank you to my team for their support throughout the season.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. Nakarin Atiratphuvaphat – HONDA RACING THAILAND (17’02:770s) 2. Azroy Hakeem Anuar – BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM (17’03:947s) 3. Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman – HORIZON RACING TEAM (17’04:145s) 4. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin – YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA (17’04:372s) 5. Lechlan Epis – SAVITAR ESG ASIA (17’22:125s)
Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit delivered a thrilling opening race, with Mohd Fahmi Abdul Wahaf of FGRT PROJECT clinching the win in Race 1 of the MSBK1000 B category. The qualifying session saw Singapore’s Heng Si Kiat set the fastest lap time at 2’16:637s. Second on the grid was Mohd Azlly Shaari of FGRT PROJECT, who clocked in at 2’16:806s, while his teammate, Mohd Fahmi Abdul Wahaf secured third place with a best lap time of 2’17:447s. As the race commenced, Abdul Aziz Ikram of SAVITAR ESG ASIA took an early lead, followed closely by Si Kiat in second and Azlly in third. By Lap 4, Fahmi began to make his move, overtaking Si Kiat to claim P2 and setting his sights on Aziz. Fahmi’s determination paid off on Lap 7 when he surged ahead of Aziz to take the lead. With a consistent pace and sharp focus, Fahmi began to pull away from the pack. Aziz, in an effort to reclaim the top spot, suffered a heartbreaking crash on Lap 8, which forced him out of the race. The race concluded with Fahmi crossing the finish line first with a time of 18’28:896s. Fahmi shared, “Alhamdulillah, I’m thrilled with my performance in Race 1. It wasn’t an easy journey to get here, but I’m grateful for the results. I’ll be giving it my all in Race 2, and I ask for everyone’s support as I strive to secure my position and finish strong!” Si Kiat secured second place, finishing just 1.867 seconds behind Fahmi with a time of 18’30:763s. Meanwhile, Mohd Azlly Shaari completed the podium in third with 18’31:240s. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. Mohd Fahmi Abdul Wahaf – FGRT PROJECT (18’28:896s) 2. Heng Si Kiat – Singapore (18’30:763s) 3. Mohd Azlly Shaari – FGRT PROJECT (18’31:240s) 4. Tee Wee Jin – MOBILUB SUZUKI RACING TEAM (19’09:493s) 5. Alvinderjit Singh – HORIZON RACING TEAM (19’13:528s)
The MSBK1000 A category at Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) took place today at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, where Nakarin Atiratphuvaphat of HONDA RACING THAILAND emerged as the fastest overall in the combined practice sessions. Nakarin led the way in Practice 1, setting the fastest lap time of 2’19.757s. He was followed by Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of HORIZON RACING TEAM in second with a time of 2’23.394s, and Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA in third at 2’23.760s. In Practice 2, Nakarin further improved his performance, posting a best lap time of 2’07.197s, reaching a top speed of 156.88 km/h, to maintain his lead. Kasma also showed significant progress, setting a lap time of 2’07.372s, just 0.175s behind Nakarin. Azlan, meanwhile, posted the third-fastest lap time of 2’07.627s. With the combined results from both practice sessions, Nakarin was the fastest overall, while Kasma placed second and Azlan took third. Nakarin commented, “I’m feeling good after both FP1 and FP2, and I’m happy with the results. It’s the same setup as the last race, so now I just need to sleep well tonight and recharge for tomorrow. I’m looking forward to enjoying the race weekend.” Combined Result – Top 5 Fastest Practice Session MSBK1000 A 1. Nakarin Atiratphuvaphat – HONDA RACING THAILAND (2’07:197s) 2. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin – YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA (2’07:372s) 3. Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman – HORIZON RACING TEAM (2’07:627s) 4. Lechlan Epis – SAVITAR ESG ASIA (2’08:050s) 5. Azroy Hakeem Anuar – BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM (2’08:466s)
The practice sessions in the MSBK1000 B category at Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) took place today at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, where Heng Si Kiat from Singapore topped the combined practice sessions. In Practice 1, Mohd Fahmi Abdul Wahaf of FGRT PROJECT set the fastest lap time of 2’28.888s, placing him in first position. Si Kiat followed closely in second with a time of 2’28.892s, while Alvinderjit Singh of HORIZON RACING TEAM took third place with a time of 2’34.415s, 5.527s behind Si Kiat. In Practice 2, Si Kiat improved his performance, posting the fastest lap time of 2’17.456s on lap 10. Mohd Azlly Shaari of FGRT PROJECT came in second with a time of 2’17.474s, just 0.018s behind Si Kiat, while Fahmi finished in third place with a time of 2’17.931s. After the combined results, Si Kiat emerged as the fastest overall, with Azlly in second and Fahmi in third. Si Kiat commented, “Today, I feel that my lap time was quite good, but I still believe there’s room for improvement. I’m positive that we can refine our performance even more. I really hope the weather will be good tomorrow, as I’m eager to compete for a spot on the podium in Race 1.” Combined Result – Top 5 Fastest Practice Session MSBK1000 B 1. Heng Si Kiat – Singapore (2’17:456s) 2. Mohd Azlly Shaari – FGRT Project (2’17:474s) 3. Mohd Fahmi Abdul Wahaf – FGRT Project (2’17:931s) 4. Abdul Aziz Ikram – SAVITAR ESG ASIA (2’21:029s) 5. Tee Wee Jin – MOBILUB SUZUKI RACING TEAM (2’23:329s)
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.”