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.”
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.”
Race 2 of the MSBK250 A category at Round 3 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship saw Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil of YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA claimed the Weekend Champion at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. The race began with Farres establishing an early lead, closely followed by his teammate, Ahmad Afif Amran and Gerry Salim of HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM. As the competition heated up, Kitsada Tanachot of HONDA RACING THAILAND executed a masterful overtake on Afif, moving into second position. The excitement escalated on lap 2 as Afif, Gerry, and Kitsada kept the pressure on Farres. On lap 5, Kitsada clocked the best lap time of 2’26:257s, making a bold move to challenge for the front. However, Afif regained the lead on lap 6, only for Farres to seize control once more on lap 7, posting the fastest lap time at 2’26:111s. As the race approached its conclusion, Irfan Ardiansyah made an impressive push, beating Farres’s best lap time with 2’25:254s, closing in on the leaders. Ultimately, Farres crossed the finish line first to won the race at 19’42:194s. Farres expressed, “This weekend was incredibly nerve-wracking with many surprises. I didn’t expect to finish in first place. We simply aimed to do our best. I’m grateful for the opportunity to stand on the podium with Afif Amran, who has been a great mentor. A big thank you to Yamaha for providing such an excellent bike setup, which helped us achieve this podium finish today.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 MSBK250 A 1. Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil – YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA (19’42:194s) 2. Ahmad Afif Amran – YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA (19’42:226s) 3. Kitsada Tanachot – HONDA RACING THAILAND (19’42:508s) 4. Irfan Ardiansyah – HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM (19’42:549s) 5. Gerry Salim – HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM (19’42:710s)
Race 2 of Round 3 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship took place today at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Muhd Darwish Amsyar Muhd Ridzwan from Malaysia celebrated the title of Weekend Champion in MSBK250 B category. The race kicked off with Darwish leading the pack, closely followed by Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan of RACR CASTRAL POWER 1 ULTIMATE and Muhd Irfan Safwan Mohd Hamirrudin from Malaysia. As the laps progressed, Kabilesh made a strong challenge for the lead, inching closer to Darwish on lap 3. The competition intensified on lap 4 as Irfan pursued Darwish with determination. The race continued with Darwish maintaining his position at the front. In the final laps, he fought hard to keep his lead, ultimately crossing the finish line first at 20’46:898s, followed by Irfan at 20’47:320s, and Kabilesh took third place at 21’02:763s. Darwish commented, “I am very grateful. The race today was challenging for me. Yesterday, I managed to create a significant gap, but today, I had to fight from the start until the end. This victory was not easy, but it feels incredible to win after such a tough battle.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 MSBK250 B 1. Muhd Darwish Amsyar Muhd Ridzwan – Malaysia (20’46:898s) 2. Muhd Irfan Safwan Mohd Hamirrudin – Malaysia (20’47:320s) 3. Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan – RACR CASTRAL POWER 1 ULTIMATE (21’02:763s) 4. Mohd Ilham Mohd Kamal – DARSALUBE MH RACING TEAM (21’08:467s) 5. Siti Norsyafiyah Alia Saarizan – CHV RACING (21’08:991s)
Race 1 of Round 3 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship showcased intense competition in the MSBK250 A category today at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. The race kicked off with Ahmad Afif Amran of YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA taking an early lead, closely followed by his teammate, Farres and Kitsada Tanachot of HONDA RACING THAILAND. However, the excitement escalated on lap 2 when Afif collided slightly with Irfan Ardiansyah of HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM, resulting in a crash that opened the door for Kitsada to take over the lead. Irfan quickly moved into P2, with his teammate, Gerry Salim in P3. As the race progressed, Farres faced increasing pressure in his debut, with Kitsada closing the gap to just 0:717s by lap 5. The two riders engaged in a thrilling battle for the top spot, exchanging positions in an exciting display of skill. On the final lap, Kitsada held the lead, but Farres executed a brilliant move in the last turn, overtaking Kitsada and crossing the finish line to secure victory at 19’41:375s. Farres said, “Thank you to my team for providing such a fantastic motorcycle. I’ve never felt this happy before—being with Yamaha and achieving first place means so much to me. This race was definitely tough, but I had a great teammate in Afif Amran, who offered invaluable support and helped with the best bike setup, which contributed to my victory. The race was quite competitive, but I managed to handle the challenges one by one.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 MSBK250 A 1. Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil – YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA (19’41:375s) 2. Irfan Ardiansyah – HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM (19’42:030s) 3. Gerry Salim – HONDA NWN SCK RACING TEAM (19’42:030s) 4. Kitsada Tanachot – HONDA RACING THAILAND (19’42:032s) 5. Mohd Haziq Mohd Fairues – BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM (19’54:631s)
Race 1 of Round 3 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship took place today at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Muhd Darwish Amsyar Muhd Ridzwan from Malaysia claimed victory in MSBK250 B category. The race commenced with Darwish quickly establishing a commanding lead, leaving Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan of RACR CASTRAL POWER 1 ULTIMATE trailing by at least four seconds in P2. Muhd Irfan Safwan Mohd Hamirrudin from Malaysia and Muhd Nur Haikal Muhd Nur Fikri of NAKKAWANBULIHHH Racing Team closely pursued in P3 and P4, respectively, while Mohd Ilham Mohd Kamal of DARSALUBE MH RACING TEAM held P5. As the race progressed, Irfan Safwan steadily gained ground, seeking opportunities to overtake the riders ahead. In a dramatic turn of events on the final lap, Irfan successfully overtook Kabilesh to claim P2. Darwish crossed the finish line first, securing a well-deserved victory at 20’46:324s, while Irfan Safwan finished in P2 at 21’02:530s and Kabilesh took P3 at 21’03:310s. Darwish said, “Alhamdulillah. I’m thankful to God for today’s success. I also want to thank my family for their unwavering support throughout this journey. A big thank you to my team for their hard work, dedication, and for providing such a solid setup. There’s still a long way to go in the championship, and I will remain focused and continue to work hard.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 MSBK250 B 1. Muhd Darwish Amsyar Muhd Ridzwan – Malaysia (20’46:324s) 2. Muhd Irfan Safwan Mohd Hamirrudin – Malaysia (21’02:530) 3. Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan – RACR CASTRAL POWER 1 ULTIMATE (21’03:310s) 4. Muhd Nur Haikal Muhd Nur Fikri – NAKKAWANBULIHHH Racing Team (21’15:436s) 5. Mohd Ilham Mohd Kamal – DARSALUBE MH RACING TEAM (21’17:905s)
The Free Practice sessions for MSBK250 A took place at Round 3 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2024 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, where Kitsada Tanachot of HONDA RACING THAILAND led the pack for combined result. Kitsada set the pace with an impressive lap time of 2’39:226s. His smooth riding style and consistency made him the rider to beat in both practice sessions. The gap between him and his closest rival was minimal, adding to the tension for the upcoming qualifying rounds. Kitsada said, “I’m feeling really great today! The bike setup is excellent, and I’m confident that tomorrow, I’ll give it my all. I believe that, just like today, I have what it takes to achieve the fastest lap time in the final round. I’m looking forward to pushing my limits and making the most of the opportunity!” Finishing second was Muhd Irfan Haykhal Amidi of BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM, who clocked in at 2’40:048s, just 0:822s behind Kitsada. Irfan’s solid performance throughout the session shows he will be a strong contender in the races. Completing the top three was Muhd Jazil Juraimi from Singapore, who posted a time of 2’40:420s. He finished 1:194s behind the leader, showing his potential to push for a higher position during the qualifying rounds. Result – Top 5 Fastest Practice Session (Combined) MSBK250 A 1. Kitsada Tanachot – HONDA RACING THAILAND (2’39:226s) 2. Muhd Irfan Haykhal Amidi – BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM (2’40:048s) 3. Muhd Jazil Juraimi – Singapore (2’40:420s) 4. Noprutpong Bunprawes – HONDA RACING THAILAND (2’40:638s) 5. Mohd Haziq Mohd Fairues – BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM (2’40:900s)