The PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit delivered another spectacular showcase of racing this weekend for Round 3 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026. Race 2 of the MSBK600 category saw Muhd Helmi Azman from Malaysia claimed his second victory of the round. Off the starting line, Helmi made a bold and decisive move to take early control of the race. He was closely followed by Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA and Malaysia’s Khairul Idham Pawi. The dynamic quickly shifted on Lap 2 when Khairul found an opening to overtake Helmi for the lead. Unfazed, Helmi fought back on Lap 3, setting a blistering fastest lap of 2’12.440s to reclaim the front position, establishing a slight 0.240s buffer over Khairul, while Farres began to drop back. The middle of the race saw Helmi maintained a narrow lead until Lap 6, when Khairul managed to slip past him once again. However, Helmi’s response on Lap 7 was the defining moment of the race. He decisively overtook Khairul and immediately increased his pace, quickly building an 0.833s gap. Further down the field, Ahmad Afif Amran of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA made a strategic move past Farres to secure third place. Over the final three laps, Helmi flawlessly extended his advantage. He crossed the finish line with a total time of 22’17.271s, boasting a comfortable 4.740s lead over Khairul, who secured second place, while Afif finished third at 22’31.772s. Helmi said, “To be completely honest, today’s race really pushed us to the limit. The weather was incredibly hot out there, making it very physically demanding. We also decided to try something a bit different heading into today. While we used the standard Sepang tires yesterday with great success, today we switched to a newer version of the tires. It wasn’t entirely smooth sailing, I really struggled to find the right rear tire grip, and the pace definitely didn’t come as easily as it did yesterday. However, we understand exactly why that happened, and it’s a valuable lesson for us to improve moving forward.” “Thorough preparation is everything in this sport, and I truly believe my bike is performing at a much higher level in terms of speed right now. Because of that, I am incredibly excited for the upcoming ARRC race in Mandalika. I’ll be putting in the work to prepare myself even better. A massive thank you to my entire team for their endless hard work, and to everyone who has continually supported and prayed for me. This win is for all of you.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. MUHD HELMI AZMAN – MALAYSIA (22’17.271s) 2. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – MALAYSIA (22’23.112s) 3. AHMAD AFIF AMRAN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (22’31.772s) 4. FARRES PUTRA MOHD FADHIL – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (22’38.853s) 5. KHAIRULAMIRIN YAHAYA – FKR CHV RACING (23’28.398s)
The PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit delivered an exciting Race 1 in the MSBK600 category during Round 3 of MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026. Muhd Helmi Azman from Malaysia emerged victorious after an intense battle with Malaysia’s Khairul Idham Pawi, claiming his first win of the season. At the race start, Khairul was quick off the line to take the lead, but he was soon overtaken by Ahmad Afif Amran of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA. Helmi settled into third, with Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA and Khairulamirin Yahaya of FKR CHV RACING close behind. The action heated up on Lap 2 when Khairul briefly retook the lead, only for Helmi to find an opening and sweep past both Afif and Khairul to take control of the race. By Lap 3, Helmi was pushing hard, setting a fast lap of 2’12.048s and reaching a top speed of 247.7kph. Khairul stayed right on his rear wheel, and the leading duo began to pull a one-second gap from Afif in third. Khairul responded on Lap 4, pushing his machine to 242.3kph to set the fastest lap of the race at 2’11.287s, closing the distance to a mere 0.198s behind Helmi. The middle of the race saw a tense exchange for the top spot. On Lap 5, Khairul successfully passed Helmi, but Helmi quickly answered to regain the lead. This intense back-and-forth allowed the pair to break away completely, leaving Afif over three seconds behind. During this fierce chase on Lap 6, Helmi reached a remarkable top speed of 255.9kph to keep the pressure on Khairul, who had momentarily taken the front position again. The turning point came on Lap 8 when Helmi made a decisive move to overtake Khairul. On the penultimate lap, Helmi put his head down, digging deep to stretch his advantage to 0.762s. He maintained his composure through the final lap to cross the finish line first at 22’06.286s. Khairul secured second place at 22’08.248s, while Afif took a comfortable third at 22’21.045s. Helmi shared, “To be honest, crossing the finish line first brings a huge wave of relief, but my main goal today wasn’t actually about securing the win. It was much more about finding a proper, genuine connection with this new machine and testing a few crucial new parts we installed on the bike.” “Going into this race, my mind was entirely focused on hitting my target lap times rather than worrying about my track position. It was nerve-wracking out there battling so closely, but I had to stay disciplined.” “Even though I ended up taking the victory today, deep down, I am still not fully satisfied with the lap times I recorded. I am constantly comparing my pace here to the incredibly high level of competition we face in the ARRC, which tells me we still have a lot of work to do. It keeps me grounded.” “For Race 2 tomorrow, my absolute target is to push even harder and improve my time further. I want to feel that perfect rhythm. Regardless of today’s result, I am incredibly thankful to my entire crew. They have been working tirelessly, pouring their sweat and passion into this bike. This weekend’s preparation is absolutely critical for our upcoming race in Mandalika next week, so I want to extend a massive, heartfelt thank you to the team and to everyone who continuously supports me.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. MUHD HELMI AZMAN – MALAYSIA (22’06.286s) 2. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – MALAYSIA (22’08.248s) 3. AHMAD AFIF AMRAN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (22’21.045s) 4. FARRES PUTRA MOHD FADHIL – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (22’26.295s) 5. KHAIRULAMIRIN YAHAYA – FKR CHV RACING (23’31.327s)
The MSBK600 category took to the track today for Round 3 of the 2026 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Friday’s Combined Practice sessions highlighted a very clear objective for the fastest man on track: strict preparation for upcoming regional duties. The opening day saw a closely contested session between two riders representing team MALAYSIA. In Free Practice 1, Khairul Idham Pawi set the initial benchmark with a time of 2’12.127s, narrowly edging out Muhd Helmi Azman who clocked a 2’12.252s. However, Helmi found a comfortable rhythm in the afternoon. During Free Practice 2, he posted a 2’11.670s on his third lap out of nine, reaching a top speed of 151.55kph. This effort secured him the fastest time in the Combined Practice standings, just slightly ahead of Khairul, who improved to a 2’11.865s in the same session. Behind the leading duo, riders from HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA held firm in the middle of the top five. Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil secured third overall with his Free Practice 1 time of 2’14.523s. His teammate, Ahmad Afif Amran, took fourth with a 2’14.893s logged during the afternoon session. Rounding out the top five was Khairulamirin Yahaya representing FKR CHV RACING, who recorded a 2’21.117s in Free Practice 2. Helmi shared, “My primary purpose for competing in this round is to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming ARRC race next week at the Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia,” Helmi explained, showing the weight of his upcoming tasks. “During today’s sessions, I experimented with a completely new riding approach. At the same time, my mechanics brought in updated parts for us to test on track and gather critical performance data. “We deeply needed these changes because, honestly, our performance during the previous round at this circuit was poor and quite frustrating. Fortunately, I can feel that the setup is much better this weekend, which gives me a real sense of relief. I am currently running a new ECU unit; although its operation is fairly similar to our previous setup, I still need to carefully study the data and analysis step-by-step with the team to maximize our improvements. “The main target for this week is clear: we will go all-in to test the absolute maximum power and limits of the bike. I want to express my genuine, heartfelt appreciation to the entire team for their non-stop hard work. Getting everything ready to be fully competitive at the ARRC level is a tough, exhausting challenge, and I sincerely hope the effort we are putting in now translates into strong, positive results in Indonesia.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE 1. MUHD HELMI AZMAN – MALAYSIA (2’11.670s) 2. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – MALAYSIA (2’11.865s) 3. FARRES PUTRA MOHD FADHIL – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (2’14.523s) 4. AHMAD AFIF AMRAN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (2’14.893s) 5. KHAIRULAMIRIN YAHAYA – FKR CHV RACING (2’21.117s)
Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND produced a masterclass performance in Race 2 of the MSBK600 category, converting his strong pace into a dominant victory during Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Starting from the front of the grid, Thanat immediately stamped his authority on the 10-lap encounter with a brilliant launch, grabbing the holeshot and leading the field into the opening corner. Following closely behind at the start were Muhd Helmi Azman and Khairul Idham Pawi of HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, with Kitsada Tanachot of HONDA RACING THAILAND and Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA completing the early top five. Thanat maintained a 0.771s advantage over Khairul on Lap 2 before delivering an even stronger pace. On Lap 3, the Thai rider set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 2’11.388s, while Helmi moved ahead of Khairul to take second position. The leading trio immediately began creating a gap of more than two seconds over Kitsada in fourth. On lap 4, Thanat improved his fastest lap again with a 2’11.349s effort, while Helmi remained his closest challenger. By Lap 5, Thanat had stretched his advantage to 2.540s, and the gap continued to grow as the race progressed. At the halfway point, Thanat’s pace proved untouchable. The HONDA RACING THAILAND rider extended his lead to 3.477s on Lap 6 and continued to increase the margin lap after lap. Behind him, the battle for the remaining podium positions intensified, with Kitsada eventually moving ahead of Khairul on Lap 7 to claim third place. Thanat continued his flawless rhythm, opening a 4.814s advantage over Helmi on Lap 8 before extending the gap beyond seven seconds by the final lap. Meanwhile, the battle behind remained competitive, with Farres and Muhd Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi from Malaysia exchanging positions before Naqib’s race ended following a crash on Lap 9. Entering the final lap with a comfortable advantage, Thanat maintained his focus to cross the finish line first in 22’06.296s, securing a dominant victory. Helmi completed a strong ride for second place with a time of 22’12.363s, while Kitsada finished third at 22’13.073s. Khairul and Farres completed the top five. Thanat said, “The conditions were very hot today, and it was definitely a challenging race. My target before Race 2 was to try and maintain a 2’10s pace, but it was not easy because I had some movement from the rear tyre and also some moments with the front tyre. I had to manage the bike carefully, stay focused and keep improving my lap times every time I went out on track.” “I kept pushing as hard as I could and tried to maintain my rhythm until the end. Winning this race feels really special because it was not an easy one. I’m very happy with the result, and I want to thank my team, my mechanics and everyone who has supported me. Their hard work and encouragement gave me the confidence to fight for this victory.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (22’06.296s) 2. MUHD HELMI AZMAN – HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (22’12.363s) 3. KITSADA TANACHOT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (22’13.073s) 4. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (22’18.796s) 5. FARRES PUTRA MOHD FADHIL – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (22’29.937s)
Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND mastered the wet track condition at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit to secured victory in Race 1 of the MSBK600 category during Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026. Starting the race from pole position after setting the fastest qualifying lap of 2’09.688s, Thanat made a strong getaway and immediately established himself at the front of the field as light rain created a challenging wet condition race. Behind Thanat, was Khairul Idham Pawi of HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA, and Kitsada Tanachot of HONDA RACING THAILAND exchanged positions before Kitsada moved into second place and began his pursuit of his teammate at the front. By Lap 2, Thanat had already created a 1.520s advantage, showing impressive pace and consistency despite the difficult conditions. The Thai rider continued to increase the gap on Lap 3 after setting the fastest lap of the race at 2’24.701s, while the battle behind intensified as Muhd Helmi Azman of HONDA RACING MALAYSIA charged forward and began closing the distance to the leaders. Helmi’s relentless pace saw him record consecutive fastest laps, including a 2’23.491s on Lap 4 and 2’23.315s on Lap 5, reducing Thanat’s advantage to just 1.540 seconds. However, Thanat remained composed at the front, carefully managing his tyres and maintaining his rhythm as the race entered its decisive stages. The fight for the podium continued when Kitsada and Helmi traded positions, with Kitsada eventually moving back into second position on Lap 7. Despite the pressure from his teammate behind, Thanat kept control of the race and crossed the chequered flag first with a total race time of 24’04.675s. Kitsada followed closely behind to complete a memorable HONDA RACING THAILAND one-two finish, finishing just 1.035s behind his teammate at 24’05.710s. Muhd Helmi Azman secured third place for HONDA RACING MALAYSIA with a time of 24’13.886s, while Khairul Idham Pawi and Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil completed the top five. Thanat said, “I’m really happy to take the win today. It was a very difficult race because the track conditions were constantly changing, with some sections dry and others still wet. It wasn’t easy to find the right rhythm, so my main focus was to stay calm, manage my pace and remain consistent throughout the race.” “I tried not to think too much about what was happening behind me. I just focused on my own riding, finding the best feeling with the bike and making sure I didn’t make any mistakes because the conditions were very tricky.” “On the final lap, I actually thought about letting Kitsada take the victory because today is his birthday. But then I thought, maybe I should keep the points for the championship instead! I was ready if he wanted to make a move, but he didn’t overtake me, so I’m happy to keep the win.” “It’s a fantastic result for the team, especially with a one-two finish. I want to thank everyone behind this achievement for their hard work and support. Tomorrow will be another challenge, but we will continue fighting and give our best to fight for another victory.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (24’04.675s) 2. KITSADA TANACHOT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (24’05.710s) 3. MUHD HELMI AZMAN – HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (24’13.886s) 4. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (24’28.876s) 5. FARRES PUTRA MOHD FADHIL – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (24’38.870s)
Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND delivered a commanding performance on the opening day of Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026, topping the combined practice standings in the highly competitive MSBK600 category at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Thanat showcased impressive pace and consistency throughout both Free Practice sessions, establishing himself as the rider to beat ahead of Saturday’s Qualifying and Race 1. After setting the benchmark in Free Practice 1 with a lap time of 2’11.579s, the Thai rider returned stronger in the afternoon session, lowering his best time to an impressive 2’10.686s while recording a top speed of 152.69kph. His outstanding performance placed him at the top of the combined standings, with teammate Kitsada Tanachot completing a HONDA RACING THAILAND 1-2 after setting a best lap of 2’11.676s in Free Practice 2. The battle for supremacy remained intense behind the Thai duo, with HONDA RACING MALAYSIA riders Muhd Helmi Azman and Khairul Idham Pawi showcasing strong pace on home soil. Helmi, who finished second fastest in Free Practice 1, continued his impressive form in the afternoon session to secure third overall with a best lap of 2’11.755s, just 0.079 seconds behind Kitsada. Khairul also delivered a strong showing, improving his pace throughout the day to finish fourth overall with a time of 2’12.261s, further highlighting the strength and depth of the HONDA RACING MALAYSIA squad heading into the crucial weekend sessions. Completing the top five was Malaysian rider Muhd Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi, who produced an encouraging performance in Free Practice 2 to secure fifth overall with a fastest lap of 2’13.370s. Thanat shared, “Today was a very positive day for me, and I’m really happy to finish as the fastest rider. We are still learning because we are trying a new electronic setup, so every session is important for us to understand the bike better and find the right balance. The team has worked incredibly hard, and I’m grateful for their effort because they continue to support me and help me improve step by step.” “This season, we want to fight for the championship. To achieve that, we cannot stop pushing. Today’s result gives us confidence, but tomorrow is a new challenge, and Race 1 will be completely different. I will give my best, stay focused and fight until the end.” “The competition this round will be very strong, especially with the new riders from Honda Racing Malaysia. Helmi and Khairul are both very fast and experienced riders, so I know the battle will be tough. I will try to learn from them, challenge myself and give everything I have on track. We will keep pushing and fighting for the best result.” TOP 5 FASTEST – FREE PRACTICE (COMBINED) 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (2’10.686s) 2. KITSADA TANACHOT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (2’11. 676s) 3. MUHD HELMI AZMAN – HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (2’11.755s) 4. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (2’12.261s) 5. MUHD NAQIB RIFQI ZULHELMI – MALAYSIA (2’13.370s)
After making an encouraging debut in the highly competitive MSBK600 category, Malaysian rider Muhd Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi heads into Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 determined to build on the valuable lessons gained during the season opener at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. Stepping up to the 600cc class for the first time in his racing career, Naqib demonstrated promising pace and maturity throughout Round 1 despite facing the steep learning curve that comes with handling a significantly more powerful machine. The Malaysian rider adapted quickly with consistent improvements in every session, culminating in an impressive third-place finish in Race 2 that placed him third overall in the championship standings. While a podium finish would normally be considered a successful start to the season, Naqib remains grounded and believes there is still considerable work to be done before he can consistently challenge the front-runners in the championship. Reflecting on his debut weekend in the MSBK600 category, Naqib described Round 1 as an important learning experience that boosted both his confidence and understanding of the motorcycle. “Overall, I think my performance in Round 1 was quite positive. It was my very first time racing a 600cc machine, so every session became a valuable learning opportunity for me. There were many new things I had to adapt to, from understanding the bike’s characteristics to managing the additional power and weight compared to what I had raced before. What made me happy was seeing my progress session after session. Every time I went out on track, I felt myself becoming more comfortable, more confident, and able to push a little harder. Of course, there’s still a long journey ahead, but Round 1 gave me a strong foundation to build on.” Despite standing on the podium in Race 2, Naqib admitted he was not completely satisfied with the result, believing there is still a gap between himself and the championship’s leading contenders. “I’m grateful for the podium because it’s always special to finish inside the top three, but honestly, I’m not fully satisfied with the result. I know there were circumstances that worked in my favour, especially after Kitsada suffered an injury during warm-up. I don’t want to rely on luck to achieve podium finishes. I want to earn them purely through performance and pace. During the opening laps, I managed to stay with Thanat and Khairul, and that experience was incredibly valuable. Watching how they approached different corners, where they braked, and how they carried their speed gave me a lot to learn. Racing alongside experienced riders like them motivates me because it shows me the level I need to reach.” Currently sitting third in the championship standings, Naqib knows the next step is improving both his physical condition and his ability to fully control the demanding MSBK600 machine over race distance. “To fight consistently with riders like Thanat and Khairul, I know I need to become stronger physically. The 600cc bike requires much more strength to control, especially during hard braking, fast direction changes, and over a full race distance. At the same time, I also need to improve my stamina because racing in Malaysia’s hot weather is extremely demanding. When you’re physically stronger, you can stay focused for longer, make better decisions, and continue pushing at your maximum pace until the chequered flag. That’s one of my biggest priorities right now.” After battling unpredictable weather conditions during the opening round, Naqib hopes Round 2 will provide more favourable conditions while anticipating another intense contest among the championship’s leading riders. “Round 1 was challenging because the changing weather made every session unpredictable. As riders, we always have to adapt quickly, but of course everyone hopes for stable conditions. I think Round 2 is going to be another exciting battle because every rider will come better prepared after learning from the opening round. The competition is going to be even closer, and that’s something I’m really looking forward to. Hopefully, we’ll have good weather so everyone can race at their full potential and give the fans an exciting weekend.” Although capable of adapting to changing conditions, Naqib admits he feels most comfortable racing on a dry circuit where every rider has the opportunity to push to their absolute limit. “Personally, I prefer racing on a dry track. In dry conditions, everyone has the confidence to push as hard as possible, and that’s where I enjoy competing the most. It becomes a real test of skill, bravery, consistency, and racecraft. Fighting against strong riders in those conditions pushes me mentally and physically, and I believe that’s the best environment for me to continue improving as a rider. Every close battle teaches me something new and helps me become stronger for the future.” Looking ahead to Round 2, Naqib’s focus extends beyond results, with his primary objective centred on continuous improvement as he continues adapting to life in the MSBK600 category. “For Round 2, my biggest target is to keep improving every time I go out on track. I want to understand the bike even better, improve my riding technique, and continue reducing my lap times. At the same time, I want to challenge the front riders more consistently and see how close I can get to them. I’m not putting unnecessary pressure on myself because I know this is still part of my learning process, but I want to leave the weekend knowing I’ve taken another big step forward. If I can keep improving in every session, I’m confident the results will eventually come.”
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)
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)
The MSBK600 category at the opening round of the MAM MALAYSIA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP 2026, held today at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, saw Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND top the combined practice sessions. Thanat emerged fastest in Practice 1, setting a best lap time of 2’10.925s. His teammate, Kitsada Tanachot followed in second with a time of 2’11.444s, while Khairul Idham Pawi from Malaysia secured third place with a time of 2’12.787s. In Practice 2, Thanat once again led the pack, with his lap time of 2’11.553s, achieving a speed of 151.69km/h on lap 10. Khairul placed second with a time of 2’11.851s, just 0.298s behind Thanat, while Kitsada finished in third with a time of 2’12.670s. The combined results from both practice sessions confirmed Thanat as the fastest overall, with Kitsada in second and Khairul in third. Thanat commented, “I’m happy to finish as the fastest rider today. For Race 1 tomorrow, I will do my best. We want to win because our goal this year is to become champions, and I want to prove myself. We also aim to achieve more podiums than we did previously.” TOP 5 FASTEST – FREE PRACTICE (COMBINED) THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (2’10.925s) KITSADA TANACHOT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (2’11.444s) KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – MALAYSIA (2’11.851s) MUHD NAQIB RIFQI ZULHELMI – MALAYSIA (2’16.089s) KHAIRULAMIRIN YAHAYA – FKR CHV RACING (2’19.734s)