Round 1 of the Aeon Credit MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship is happening at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. The MSBK250 A and MSBK250 B will be back on track to stimulate the racing scene with its interesting entry list. Last season saw Irfan Ardiansyah of Honda NWN SCK Racing Team breaking through to take the big sweep in the MSBK250A race category with five podiums including two wins. This season, the Indonesian lad will be back once again alongside 24 riders from 7 different countries to mark his excellence in what will be one of the most challenging race categories in the championship. The question remains: Will Irfan be able to ward off the pressure in the face of highly competitive riders? Commenting on the race, Irfan said, “My goal is the same. I want to be the challenge among the front troops and be at the top. Definitely I want to try for the championship title once again. I think this season will be more competitive compared to last season so there needs to be precision. There is certainly no room for errors. Each year, the race category seems to be getting tougher. The entry list for this season looks challenging but most importantly, I need to stay positive and always believe in myself that I can do it like last season. Sepang circuit is a complete circuit and I enjoy riding there. It has some hilly parts and a long corner which I really like.” MSBK250 B race category on the other hand will watch two ladies, Siti Norsyafiyah of FKR CHV Racing and Saidatul Zakirah of Lady Boss Racing Team competing alongside the male counterparts from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, China and Chinese Taipei. Last season, Rakha Bima of Honda NWN SCK Racing Team marked victory with a total of 115 points however with the Indonesian rider out of the entry list for Round 1, the riders may have found a different motivation to accelerate further in their games. A total of 9 riders will make up for the MSBK250 B race category. Among the riders who have showcased excellent skills and will graduate into the MSBK250 A race category from last season are 1st runner up, Md Naqib Rifqi who will team up with Honda Racing Malaysia and 3rd runner up Kabilesh Rajni of Team RACR Castrol Power1.
The final race of the MSBK250 A category in Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship delivered intense action at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Ahmad Afif Amran of YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA emerged victorious in Race 2, while Irfan Ardiansyah of HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM secured the 2024 championship title. Afif established an early lead, closely followed by Kitsada Tanachot from HONDA RACING THAILAND and Muhd Jazil Juraimi of Singapore. However, the race dynamics shifted on Lap 4 when Kitsada clocked an impressive lap time of 2’26:587s at a top speed of 188.5 km/h, successfully overtaking Afif. Emil Idzhar briefly claimed P3 but suffered a crash at Turn 9 on Lap 5. On Lap 6, Afif reclaimed the lead, with Mohd Haziq Mohd Fairues of BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM and Kitsada chasing closely behind. Championship contender Irfan Ardiansyah held P5, just ahead of his teammate Gerry Salim. The final lap saw dramatic changes as riders pushed aggressively for top positions. Gerry Salim’s unfortunate crash dashed his hopes of challenging for the championship. Soon after, Kitsada also fell at the last turn, missing out on a podium finish. Afif redeemed himself by crossing the finish line first with a time of 19’39:913s, followed by Haziq at 19’40:821s and Jazil narrowly behind at 19’40:822s. Irfan’s fourth-place finish secured his championship victory for the 2024 season. Irfan expressed his excitement: “I’m really happy to finally secure the championship. The race was tough, and I fought until the end. I saw an opportunity to overtake at Turn 9 and took it. Alhamdulillah, I’m grateful to achieve this result.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. Ahmad Afif Amran – YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA (19’39:913s) 2. Mohd Haziq Mohd Fairues – BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM (19’40:821s) 3. Muhd Jazil Juraimi – Singapore (19’40:822s) 4. Irfan Ardiansyah – HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM (19’41:200s) 5. Muhd Muzakkir Mohamed – HORIZON RACING TEAM (19’45:622s) OVERALL STANDINGS 1. Irfan Ardiansyah – HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM (132 points) 2. Gerry Salim – Honda NWN SCK Racing Team (118 points) 3. Kitsada Tanachot – HONDA RACING THAILAND (94 points) 4. Muhd Muzakkir Mohamed – HORIZON RACING TEAM (87 points) 5. Md Haziq Md Fairues – BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM (86 points)
Race 2 of the MSBK250 B category saw Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan of RACR CASTROL POWER 1 ULTIMATE claimed victory and emerged as the Weekend Champion. Kabilesh dominated the race, determined not to repeat his second-place finish in Race 1 behind Rakha Bima Saktiansyah of HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM. He surged ahead, creating an impressive gap of 4 seconds over Rakha to ensure his position at the front. Rakha tried to close the gap but couldn’t match Kabilesh’s pace. Meanwhile, Md Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi of Malaysia maintained P3, steadily improving his lap times. Kabilesh crossed the finish line in 20’31:988s, ahead of Rakha at 20’36:059s and Naqib at 20’39:275s. Kabilesh dedicated his win to his father, who was present, “I wanted to show my speed and secure P1 after yesterday’s result. I’m proud of this win, especially since my dad is here to witness it.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan – RACR CASTRAL POWER 1 ULTIMATE (20’31:988s) 2. Rakha Bima Saktiansyah – HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM (20’36:059s) 3. Md Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi – Malaysia (20’39:275s) 4. Ke Huanni – China (20’45:357s) 5. Muhd Darwish Amsyar Muhd Ridzwan – Malaysia (20’50:551s)
Race 1 of Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship unfolded today at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, delivering yet another thrilling showdown. Gerry Salim of HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM from Indonesia emerged victorious, keeping the championship battle for MSBK250 A alive. The race kicked off with Ahmad Afif Amran of YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA taking an early lead, building a commanding gap over the chasing pack. However, Afif’s aspirations for a win were dashed on lap 2 when a crash forced him out of contention. Irfan Ardiansyah of HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM, running in P2, pushed hard to bridge the gap but ultimately settled into the battle for podium contention. As the race approached its dramatic conclusion, Kitsada Tanachot of HONDA RACING THAILAND seized the lead on the final lap. However, Gerry Salim timed his attack perfectly, making a decisive move in the last turn to overtake Kitsada and cross the line first with a time of 19’50:475s, securing a stunning victory. This win propels Gerry to second place in the overall standings with 118 points, just 1 point behind his teammate and championship leader, Irfan Ardiansyah. With the title chase tightening, the stage is set for an electrifying Race 2. Gerry said, “Normally, I can push to the front early, but I had to manage the engine temperature today, which was running too high. Because of this, I controlled my pace during the race. In the final two laps, I made my move, passing Irfan and then overtaking Kitsada to take the win. I’m excited and ready to give it my all in Race 2 tomorrow!” Kitsada settled for second place with a time of 19’50:579s, while Irfan completed the podium in third at 19’50:882s. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. Gerry Salim – HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM (19’50:475s) 2. Kitsada Tanachot – HONDA RACING THAILAND (19’50:579s) 3. Irfan Ardiansyah – HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM (19’50:882s) 4. Muhd Jazil Juraimi – Singapore (19’51:118s) 5. Noprutpong Bunprawes – HONDA RACING THAILAND (19’51:273s)
Race 1 of Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship unfolded today at the iconic PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, with Indonesia’s Rakha Bima Saktiansyah of HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM claiming a hard-fought victory in the MSBK250 B category. The race began with Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan of RACR CASTROL POWER 1 ULTIMATE seizing the early lead. Rakha, maintaining a close pursuit, strategically bided his time to launch an overtaking maneuver. By Lap 4, Rakha made his move, decisively taking the lead. From there, the Indonesian rider showcased incredible focus, defending his position against relentless pressure from Kabilesh, who trailed just 0:200 seconds behind. Despite Kabilesh’s unyielding attempts to reclaim the lead, Rakha crossed the finish line first, securing victory with a time of 20’33:959s. Kabilesh settled for second place at 20’33:973s, while Malaysian rider Md Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi completed the podium with a time of 20’42:800s. Rakha said, “It was an intense race with Kabilesh applying constant pressure. I focused on staying consistent and defending my line. I’m proud to bring this win home for my team, and I’ll keep pushing for more success in tomorrow’s race.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. Rakha Bima Saktiansyah – HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM (20’33:959s) 2. Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan – RACR CASTROL POWER 1 ULTIMATE (20’33:973s) 3. Md Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi – Malaysia (20’42:800s) 4. Ke Huanni – China (20’51:247s) 5. Muhd Darwish Amsyar Muhd Ridzwan – Malaysia (20’52:908s)
The MSBK250 A category at Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship, held today at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, saw Ahmad Afif Amran from YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA top the practice sessions. In Practice 1, Kitsada Tanachot of HONDA RACING THAILAND led the pack with a blistering lap time of 2’26.648s. Afif secured second place with a time of 2’28.156s, followed closely by Muhd Muzakkir Mohamed of HORIZON RACING TEAM in third at 2’28.266s. In Practice 2, Afif rose to the top with an impressive lap time of 2’26.294s, reaching a speed of 179.7 km/h on his third lap. This put him ahead of Gerry Salim, who set a time of 2’27.066s, 0.772s behind Afif, in second place. Emil Idzhar Ezuan of YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA steadily improved his times, setting a lap of 2’27.539s on lap 8 to take third. The combined results saw Afif as the fastest overall, followed by Kitsada in second and Gerry in third. Afif commented, “It’s been a good start to the first day. We are still searching for the best setup for the bike. This isn’t a comfortable lap time for me. We’re always looking for better settings for Race 1 tomorrow. I’ll fight to stay ahead during the race and, if possible, aim for a podium finish. I’ll do my best tomorrow.” Combined Result – Top 5 Fastest Practice Session MSBK250 A 1. Ahmad Afif Amran – YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA (2’26:294s) 2. Kitsada Tanachot – HONDA RACING THAILAND (2’26:648s) 3. Gerry Salim – HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM (2’27:066s) 4. Emil Idzhar Ezuan – YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA (2’27:539s) 5. Muhd Muzakkir Mohamed – HORIZON RACING TEAM (2’27:584s)
The MSBK250 B category saw Ke Huanni from China emerge as the fastest overall in the practice sessions at Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship, held today at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. In Practice 1, Ke Huanni led the field with a fastest lap of 2’33.691s. He was followed by Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan of RACR CASTRAL POWER 1 ULTIMATE, who clocked 2’35.089s, and Mohd Farderin Iskandar of DARSALUBE MH RACING TEAM, who took third place with a time of 2’37.637s. In Practice 2, Kabilesh improved his lap time to 2’34.100s, reaching a speed of 129.49 km/h on lap 4 to lead the session. Malaysian rider Md Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi followed closely in second place with a time of 2’34.669s, achieving a speed of 129.02 km/h on lap 8. Rakha Bima Saktiansyah of HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM finished in third place with a time of 2’34.720s. The combined results from both sessions saw Ke Huanni finish as the fastest overall, followed by Kabilesh in second and Naqib in third. Huanni commented, “I am happy with my results today. However, I will make sure to improve further to maintain my position at the top. I am excited for tomorrow’s race and I am aiming for a podium finish.” Combined Result – Top 5 Fastest Practice Session MSBK250 B 1. Ke Huanni – China (2’33:691s) 2. Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan – RACR CASTRAL POWER 1 ULTIMATE (2’34:100s) 3. Md Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi – Malaysia (2’34:669s) 4. Rakha Bima Saktiansyah – HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM (2’34:720s) 5. Muhd Darwish Amsyar Muhd Ridzwan – Malaysia (2’34:827s)
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.”
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.”