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.”
The season finale of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) will take place at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. Who among the top five riders in the Yamaha R15M Race Elites will take home the victorious title? It’s a highly unpredictable race category especially with a close point difference among the top five riders who have all taken a step on the podium in the last four races. Abdullah Qayyum of Welly Racing Team currently takes the lead position with a total of 56 points, 1-point difference with Ahmad Syukran of Hiap Aik Racing Team who has a total of 55 points to his name. Md Izam Ikmal on the other hand takes the third spot overall with a total of 51 points, 1-point difference with his closest contender Arash Tsunami of BLH Glassteel 46 Racing at the fourth spot with a total of 50-points. Md Shafiq Ezzariq of Boon Hua Racing Team takes the fifth spot overall with a total of 44 points after making his first win for the season in Race 2 of Round 3. The challenge in the race category is the close call on all laps which requires riders to be on their toes at all times and with all of them having the opportunity to win, it is a matter of strategizing and striking it right. Who among them has what it takes this time around to make it to the top? Qayyum said, “I believe that every rider has their own strategy in place and I too have my own strategies. In fact, I have 3 different plans in place to ensure that I am fully prepared for unforeseen circumstances. I do hope that everything goes as planned. I also hope that it will rain as I am fully in control and confident. The race category is quite tough because all the machines are the same with the same level of performances. But as a rider, what’s more important is preparation of body and mind. I have a work routine which I follow up with diligently. My closest contender is Izam because he has a lot of mileage at SIC. It is no excuse though for me. I will still do my best and try for the champion title.” Syukran said, “In my opinion, the most important strategy in the race category is to avoid having gaps between the front and back troop and to always find the right opportunity for slip-streaming. I always learn the concepts and techniques of riding consistently as my preparation. Apart from that, I also do a lot of workouts to build my physical and mental strength. My closest contender at the moment would be Qayyum who is currently taking the lead with 1-point advantage.” Izam Ikmal said, “For me, the most crucial part would be the last two laps to ensure that I can get into the top five positions. I can’t say much on the machine because the power is the same for everyone and everybody has a chance to win. The most important thing would be to train myself so that I am prepared mentally and fight for the podium. The top three riders are strong and I am pretty sure that they will fight for the championship title. I also need some luck for the weekend and I am keeping my fingers crossed.” Arash said, “My plan is to maintain a stable mind so that I can enhance my discipline level. Discipline is important in motorsports and with that, comes the right attitude to succeed. I will continue to work on that before and after my race. I also have a lot to learn and I will continue doing that by watching previous videos of myself. I will investigate further where I went wrong and work towards improving. That will be my move for the coming round. My closest contender is Syukran but I will do my best to enhance my performance.” Shafiq said, “It is really important to strategize and plan accordingly. Most important for me would be the last three laps especially in managing my position and finding the right moment to strike. On the last lap, it’s the three last turns that is the most crucial moment. All riders will do the same for sure and I am also very certain they will come fully prepared. On my part, I will study the previous sessions and learn from my mistakes. I will try to fix my limitations where possible. My closest contenders are many. In fact, all of them are equally competitive. So, let’s see how it goes on the weekend!”
The season finale of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) will take place at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. Will Md Adib Arsyad of SGH Credit bag a double-win before claiming the championship title? It was a great start for Adib this season when he barged ahead of the troop in Round 2 to take a double-win, scoring a flat 50-points for himself. In Round 3 however, Adib may not have scored the flying colours but it was successful enough for him to take lead of the overall standings with a total of 76 points to his name and 36 points ahead of the rider next in line. In his failure to compete competitively in Round 3, he may have found his rivalry in Azrul Affendi of CSL Brothers who took the win in Race 1 and Ahmad Jebat of SCM Factory Racing who bagged victory in Race 2. While both the riders are far off from Adib in terms of overall points, it surely seems like they are capable of injecting pressure and reducing his competitive stride. Apart from that, there are the likes of other riders who are equally on par, capable of disrupting Adib’s attempt of becoming a champion. So, will Adib choose to play it safe or will he go all out to showcase his strengths? Commenting on the race, Adib said, “I plan to find a balance between playing it safe and pushing beyond the limits. It is important to avoid unnecessary risks but at the same time, to maintain an aggressive yet calculated approach in helping secure the lead position without losing momentum. In Round 3, the weather conditions and track grip posed significant challenges. Additionally, the competition was also more intense than the previous round. With the riders improving on their strategies, it was harder to maintain dominance.” “I believe all the riders are my closest rival because they have consistently shown strong performance and seem to have improved on their machine setup. Their cornering speed and consistency too has enhanced making them tough competitors. However, I am quite confident with my strengths at SIC especially with my cornering techniques and the ability to maintain high speeds on the long-straights. I am also familiar with the track layout which gives me an edge in anticipating critical turns and braking zones. So, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I will hit it big this time around. If I become the champion, the next move would be to take on the international challenges. I want to gain exposure and experience at a higher level. I also want to work on refining my skills and building a strong team to support my journey in motorsports.”
After a remarkable five-race winning streak in the MSBK600 category, BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM’s Muhd Helmi Azman found himself off the podium in Race 2 of Round 3 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Helmi, who had dominated both rounds leading up to Round 3 by winning every race, was left to settle for 4th place in wet conditions, as Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND took the victory. Helmi’s teammate Muhd Syarifuddin Azman secured the third spot, while Japan’s Okaya Yuta finished second. Helmi, though, couldn’t hide his disappointment as he saw his winning streak come to an end. Helmi revealed the struggles that led to his unexpected result, “In Race 2, I was still trying to win despite the wet conditions,” Helmi said. “But something happened with the electronics after I used launch control on the grid. The bike was stuck with a speed limiter, so I couldn’t push as hard as I wanted to.” The P4 finish was a stark contrast to his earlier performances in the season, where Helmi had established himself as the rider to beat. When asked about his feelings on seeing his winning streak broken, he remained composed. “I’m still feeling positive,” he shared. “This doesn’t affect me much mentally. I missed out on the win this time, but I will come back stronger for the last round.” Helmi was candid about what went wrong in Race 2 and what needs to improve moving forward, “The bike needs to have the right setup for grip,” he explained. “If the grip isn’t there, it’s tough to manage the race. It’s something we need to focus on.” Looking ahead to the final round, Helmi is determined to fine-tune both his bike and his riding strategy, “For Round 4, I’ll be focusing more on the bike setup and making my riding smoother. It’s about finding that consistency in lap times.” The battle for the championship is now heating up, with Thanat proving to be a strong contender. Helmi, however, is not letting the pressure get to him. “Thanat is definitely the main challenger, but for me, it’s about staying focused on each race and fighting for the win,” he concluded.
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.”
It’s a moment that no athlete ever expects to face. In an instant, the excitement of the race turned to dread. For Muhd Adie Putra Sukarno, that moment arrived during Free Practice 2 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. What began as a promising day for the young rider quickly turned into a nightmare that would change everything. Adie entered the MAM Malaysian Superbike Championship full of hope, competing in two categories: the Berjaya Sompo YAMAHA Y16ZR Race MasterClass and the YAMAHA R15M Race Elites. He had just set the fastest lap time in the Free Practice 2 of YAMAHA Y16ZR Race MasterClass, his dreams soaring with every turn. But fate had a cruel twist in store. Later, during the Free Practice 2 for the YAMAHA R15M Race Elites, disaster struck. A sudden crash resulted in a broken femur, leaving Adie’s aspirations shattered and his spirit in turmoil. The dreams he had fought for now seemed distant, overshadowed by pain and uncertainty. Reflecting on that fateful moment, Adie shared, “In the last five minutes, I fell at Turn 14 at maximum speed. Suddenly, Arash Tsunami Kamarudin of HIAP AIK RACING TEAM’s bike was right in front of me. At that moment, the distance was too close to avoid it. We collided, and I was thrown high into the air, landing hard. At that moment, two bikes crashed into me, and I ended up with a broken right femur.” His words capture the chaos of a split second, a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change. The thrill of racing, once exhilarating, had turned into a harrowing experience that would leave a lasting mark on his life. “Honestly, I am very sad,” Adie confided, the weight of his disappointment evident. “I had prepared myself for this race and set targets for this round. But it seems it wasn’t meant to be. Insha Allah, I believe that something better will come in the future. I will strive to recover and race again as soon as possible.” For Adie, this isn’t just about racing; it’s about the passion that fuels his life. The pain of this setback feels insurmountable, but deep down, there’s a flicker of hope that refuses to be extinguished. As he navigates this difficult chapter, Adie remains resolute in his determination to recover. “Right now, I’m still not fully healthy. But if I follow all the doctor’s instructions, Insha Allah, I will recover soon.” The support from his team and fans is a lifeline, yet the road ahead is daunting. Each physical therapy session will serve as a reminder of both the struggle and the passion that drives him to return to the track. Adie also shared the advice from his doctors: “I need to adhere to a strict medication schedule and undergo physical therapy to fully recover.” This practical approach highlights the reality of his situation as he contemplates the long journey back to competitive racing. For Adie, the path to recovery is not just a physical journey; it’s a test of resilience and hope—a testament to the unwavering belief that brighter days await just beyond the next bend in the track.
What a way to celebrate a victory! Thanat Laoongplio of Honda Racing Thailand just gave us the most entertaining post-race moment we never knew we needed after clinching his first win at Race 2 of the MSBK600 during Round 3 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. As he crossed the checkered flag, Thanat felt the thrill of triumph surged through him, and in a burst of exhilaration, he stood up on his bike, throwing his arms wide in a triumphant salute. But here’s the kicker: standing on a speeding motorcycle while wind whips around you isn’t exactly the best plan. In an instant, the adrenaline-fueled celebration took a comedic turn. As he raised his arms in joy, he suddenly realized he could see about as well as a raccoon in daylight. Trying to regain control, he reached for the handlebars—but his hand slipped, sending him tumbling backward like a scene straight out of a slapstick comedy. The bike continued on, oblivious, while Thanat became the star of his own unexpected blooper reel. The audience erupted in laughter, witnessing a moment that instantly became legendary. We caught up with Thanat for his thoughts on this unforgettable moment. He said, “I feel so happy that I can’t describe it—like I just won the lottery! Achieving my goal was amazing, but I might need to rethink my victory moves! It’s my first victory on the International stage! A tough battle, but now I know it’s also about nailing my celebration… or not!” “After crossing the finish line, I decided to stand on the bike to celebrate, feeling like a champion! But then my hand slipped, the wind got involved, and I ended up auditioning for the role of ‘Fallen Hero’! Who knew victory could be so slippery?” “On the positive side, this win is something people will never forget! It’s crucial for my future, plus now I have the best story for gatherings—‘Hey, remember when I won and took an unplanned tumble?’” So here’s to Thanat Laoongplio—a true champion on the track and now, inadvertently, a comedian in the spotlight! Let’s hope his next victory celebration includes a bit more balance, or at least a safety net!
At PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, Race 2 of Round 3 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship showcased thrilling competition in the MSBK1000 A category. Nakarin Atiratphuvaphat of HONDA RACING THAILAND emerged as the Weekend Champion. As the race commenced, Nakarin quickly took the lead, followed by Zaqhwan Zaidi of BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA, and Md Ibrahim Md Norrodin of FGRT PROJECT. Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of HORIZON RACING TEAM, the only rider opting for slick tires, struggled on the wet track, dropping to P13 as conditions began to improve. By lap 2, Nakarin set a blistering pace, achieving a best lap time of 2’21:967s, with Ibrahim hitting a top speed of 284.2 km/h in pursuit. Throughout the race, Nakarin maintained his lead, consistently setting competitive lap times, including a best of 2’21:006s. As the track dried, Azlan picked up his pace, closing the gap with the riders ahead. Nakarin held firm, crossing the finish line first at 23’38:195s, with Kasma and Ibrahim finishing at 23’49:376s and 24’01:405s, respectively, rounding out the podium. Azlan pushed hard, setting a remarkable lap time of 2’13:497s to secure a P5 finish. Nakarin commented, “It was an incredible race! Initially, I wasn’t sure about choosing wet tires, but my team made that call. I noticed Azlan on slicks and wasn’t sure how it would play out in the end. In the early laps, I aimed to build a significant gap. As my tires began to wear in the last five laps, I focused on maintaining my rhythm, just as I practiced. Ultimately, we did a great job, and I want to thank everyone who supported me!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 MSBK1000 A 1. Nakarin Atiratphuvaphat – HONDA RACING THAILAND (23’38:195s) 2. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin – YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA (23’49:376s) 3. Md Ibrahim Md Norrodin – FGRT PROJECT (24’01:405s) 4. Zaqhwan Zaidi – BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM (24’05:938s) 5. Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman – HORIZON RACING TEAM (24’07:051s)
MSBK1000 B category at Round 3 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship, Chan Qing Rong of SAVITAR ESG ASIA triumphed in a nail-biting Race 2 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. As the race began, Qing Rong quickly established himself at the front, but Raja Nazeem Iskandar of MOBILUB SUZUKI RACING TEAM closely followed. The two riders adapted to the wet track as it dried, maintaining a 20-second lead over the rest of the group by lap 4. The competition intensified as Raja looked for opportunities to overtake Qing Rong, narrowing the gap to just 0.381 seconds by lap 5. In an exciting move on lap 6, Raja took the lead, but Qing Rong was not to be outdone. He reclaimed the top position shortly after. Both riders battled fiercely, exchanging positions multiple times. In the end, Qing Rong’s strategic racing and superior start led him to victory at , with Raja finishing just behind. Qing Rong shared, “Raja is like a brother to me; I know his riding style, and he knows mine. I was just waiting for him to catch up. When he overtook me in Turn 7, I knew he might overshoot, so I took the position back. It was all about whose tires would last longer. Ultimately, I had a better start, which helped me finish strong. I owe a lot to Raja; he’s been an inspiration throughout this season.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 MSBK1000 B 1. Chan Qing Rong – SAVITAR ESG ASIA (24’49:244s) 2. Raja Nazeem Iskandar – MOBILUB SUZUKI RACING TEAM (25’07:009s) 3. Mohd Azlly Shaari – FGRT PROJECT (25’37:223s) 4. Tee Wee Jin – MOBILUB SUZUKI RACING TEAM (25’46:265s) 5. Theva Kumaran – MOBILUB SUZUKI RACING TEAM (26’00:387s)
In the rain-affected Race 2 of the MSBK600 category during Round 3 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND emerged victorious on the wet track. The race faced a delay due to heavy rain, prompting riders to return to the pits to adjust their setups for the wet track conditions. The race was reduced from 10 laps to 7 laps. As the race commenced, Thanat quickly established himself in the lead, followed by Japanese rider, Okaya Yuta, and Muhd Syarifuddin Azman of BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM. Defending champion Helmi struggled at the back of the pack, hampering his chances of clinching the Weekend Champion title. On lap 2, Thanat demonstrated his mastery of the wet conditions, pulling ahead by 1.865 seconds at an impressive speed of 241.6 km/h. He continued to dominate the race, posting a best lap time of 2’32:663s on lap 3. As the rain began to subside, Okaya started to close the gap, beating Thanat’s lap time with 2’32:447s. By lap 4, Okaya further improved his performance, clocking a best lap time of 2’30:904s. However, a slight mistake on lap 5 allowed Thanat to extend his lead once again, as the top two riders opened a significant 14-second gap over Syarifuddin in third place. As the track dried out, Thanat maintained his lead, and despite Helmi’s impressive lap time of 2’30:160s, he could not catch the front runners. Ultimately, Thanat crossed the finish line first at 17’51:558s, followed by Okaya at 17’52:632s, and Syarifuddin took third place at 18’05:095s. Thanat shared, “I thrive in rainy conditions; they bring me confidence and excitement. As the rain poured, I felt more invigorated. Throughout the race, I kept my focus solely on the track ahead, racing steadily. I am incredibly happy with today’s result!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 MSBK600 1. Thanat Laoongplio – HONDA RACING THAILAND (17’51:558s) 2. Okaya Yuta – Japan (17’52:632s) 3. Muhd Syarifuddin Azman – BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM (18’05:095s) 4. Muhd Helmi Azman – BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM (18’07:679s) 5. Chiang Chih Ying – Taipei (19’30:434s)