Nakarin Atiratphuvaphat of Honda Racing Thailand has made a significant mark in the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship, currently holding a commendable third position in the overall standings following a strong performance in Round 1. During Round 1, Nakarin demonstrated his prowess by securing P3 in both Race 1 and Race 2, setting a solid foundation for the rest of the season. Reflecting on his preparation for Round 2 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Nakarin emphasized the importance of recovery and mental clarity. After competing in the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at Mandalika, he focused on rest and physical conditioning through jogging and cycling, coupled with meditation to maintain mental sharpness. “After ARRC Mandalika, I concentrated on rest, jogging, cycling, and meditation,” Nakarin explained. “Meditation is also crucial for maintaining both focus and mental clarity.” As he heads into Round 2, Nakarin is determined to build on his initial success. “I will give my best effort. While there are many variables in racing, I am committed to my riding and continuous improvement,” he said, underscoring his dedication despite the sport’s inherent uncertainties. His awareness of the competitive field is evident, especially given the strength of Malaysian riders. “It’s not easy here. Malaysian riders are exceptionally strong. I need to gather more insights to enhance my performance and break away from the pack,” he noted. The technical complexity of the Sepang circuit, combined with its unpredictable weather conditions, adds another layer of challenge. Nakarin highlighted the importance of adaptability and strategic decision-making in such an environment. “Sepang is a technical track that offers many opportunities for riders to learn and improve. With its ever-changing weather, it becomes a test of decision-making skills. Mastery over tire management is crucial. I anticipated rain but managed to adapt and ride effectively under the conditions,” he remarked. Looking ahead, Nakarin’s personal goals extend beyond merely winning races. “My goal is to enjoy the riding experience and continually develop myself into a winner,” he stated.
Round 2 of the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) will take on the grounds of the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit once again this weekend. Making its debut in the championship is a brand new one-make race category which is the Yamaha R15M Race Elites, geared up to make its grand entrance. The formation of this new race class was conceived upon the idea of providing riders with a different kind of experience and exposure in their transition from the underbone machine to a tank-machine. The effort seeks to accelerate the experiences of young riders by paving a pathway that would enable them to adapt to a more refined riding technique aboard a slightly higher capacity machine before potentially scaling up into the Asian-level championship. The Yamaha R15M machine is a 155cc machine that has been effectively modified to fit into the racing motorcycle specifications. The goal of MSBK over the years has been about developing motorsport and providing a platform for enthusiasts to experience the standard of excellence in motorcycle racing. In tandem with that, the collaborative initiatives with Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) with the inclusion of this new race category will serve to groom talented riders in their aspirations to excel further in motorcycle racing. The race category which comprises 32 riders in total were handpicked from various race categories within the national motorcycle championship namely the PETRONAS Malaysian Cub Prix Championship (MCP) including the CP150, CP125 and ProAm race categories. On the other hand, The Berjaya Sompo Yamaha Y16ZR Race MasterClass race category will continue for the third consecutive year with a total of 32 riders beginning from Round 2. The riders were selected from the race categories within MCP namely the Wira KBS, Yamaha PETRONAS Super Series and AEON Credit Service Yamaha 135LC Tekhne Challenge and will compete till the end of Season 2024.
Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship will be back once again this weekend after a long break at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Azroy Hakeem Anuar of Boon Siew Honda Racing Team and Heng Si Kiat are more than ready to flex their muscles in the MSBK1000 A and MSBK1000 B race categories respectively. It was a disappointment for most riders in Race 1 of the season opener when the race was halted due to stormy weather. Nevertheless, the weekend continued and thankfully, the weather was more accommodating in Race 2. Among the MSBK1000 A riders, Azroy was quick to recover the lost momentum and went on with only one goal in mind – to dominate the race for the season. Despite the big guns in the racing scene, Azroy was seen poised on the circuit ground, confident with his moves as he fought competitively. In Race 1, Azroy took the lead before settling for 12.5 points, half of the winning points after the red-flag was raised. In Race 2, he went on in full form and maintained at P1 throughout the race before bagging a full 25 points at the end of the race. Currently, the rider takes the top position in the overall chart and is geared up for the coming challenges. Commenting on the race, Azroy said, “This season has been great for me but again, the challenges are always there no matter how good you get. This season is basically to fight with the top riders of ASB1000 race category and the only way to do it is to be open to new experiences and a learning curve. This season, all top three riders are my closest contenders so it is quite pressuring for me to try and stand out. I try my best to improve in every session. It is a lot of hard work. As usual, my preparations are focused on fitness training. It has become part of my daily life routine. The team on the other hand is working very hard to prepare the machine. The other challenge of racing at Sepang is the unpredictable weather. As we know, rain is almost always uncertain therefore adapting is important. I will try to adapt as much as I can either on the dry or wet ground. It would be great if I can learn to ride in wet conditions so that I am well equipped with the skills and experience. My goal is to finish on the podium in each round and I hope to build my confidence around that.” In the MSBK1000 B race category, it was a similar run for Heng Si Kiat who began Race 1 with a dominant force. He bagged 12.5 points due to unavoidable circumstances and came back for Race 2 with better exhilaration and performance. The MSBK1000 B came with its own set of challenges especially with the more experienced riders but despite the competition, Si Kiat was able to defend his position well. During the race, Si Kiat was seen exchanging positions with the riders a number of times but his technical expertise gave him the upper hand to jump right back in the dominating position. He completed the race first and bagged 25 points which totalled him up for the Weekend Champion of Race 1. Commenting on the race, Si Kiat said, “My physical fitness would be my biggest challenge for me as it is a three-day event with loads of riding. I need to know how to set my limits so that I don’t over-strain. Most importantly, my fitness level must be at 100% on both the race days. The machine is the same as Round 1 but of course with more workouts on my body, I hope to improve my riding abilities and performance. At Sepang, the other challenge would be the weather conditions. Like Round 1, halfway through, it started raining but my team was already prepared in advance. I personally haven’t tried riding in rain on a totally wet track but if that has to be done, we will still do it and be extra careful for sure. At the moment, I have two close contenders, Jim Iskandar and James Lee and from what I have heard, there will be two more riders coming up in Round 2 who are equally strong. I am looking forward to riding with them although I do not have a strategy in mind on how to tackle them. The strength on my machine lies in the launching bit and also on the anti-wheelie electronics. My aim for this round would be the same as last round and keeping my fingers crossed on that!”
MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship is all set for another round of adventure in the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. Round 2 will see Md Helmi Azman of Boon Siew Honda Racing revving up to continue his dominating spirit in the MSBK600 race category. It is not unusual for Helmi, racing on his home-ground circuit, more so with years of experience etched to his name to bag a double victory. The rider who has been in the game aboard a 600cc machine for a long time is familiar with both the machine and the circuit ground which also means that it is all about optimising the performance and maintaining his dominance. But having said that, the entry list that is intimidating this season also means that he has to be more aware and be prepared for the possible challenges. Perhaps, what would require more of his attention is recognising the characters and riding techniques of his contenders so that he is able to work his strategies effectively. Last season, Helmi made it first on the chart and claimed the Champion title in the race category after putting up a tough fight, taking four wins and four second-spots on the podium. The Malaysian rider may be soft-spoken but, on the battlefield, he is a raging bull, ever-ready to take down those in his way. In Round 1 that was held more than 2 months ago, Helmi showcased dexterity and braved through the challenges in both races. Would he be able to repeat the same victorious note? Commenting on the race, Helmi said, “Round 1 was an amazing weekend for me. It was challenging and was not an easy feat especially riding with the same contender from ARRC. But the machine was great and we managed to find the right setup which gave us the ease in achieving success. To me, when it comes to riding, it is both luck and skills. The combination of both is essential in our successes. Sometimes, we have the needed skills but luck may not be on our side, the machine might give way and we can’t do anything about it. Sometimes, we have the right setup and the machine is great but we may struggle with finding out footing on the circuit ground. So, I am lucky in that sense because we raced on our home-ground that I am familiar with. Which means, I have the upper-hand in terms of skills and the only thing that would matter would be the machine and its performances.” “I still have a lot of work to do because riding is an on-going improvement process. I have to enhance my riding skills especially for the other championships this year. Part of my preparations include physical training because strength, stamina and endurance is highly required in racing. It is part of the fundamentals in succeeding. I also hope that the machine will have extra power so that its performance is optimised. This year is not as easy as last season because the entry list includes some of the big names from ARRC therefore it is a constant battle throughout. My goal for this season is of course to fight for the championship title once again. There are not two ways about it because, this is our home-ground and it doesn’t justify if we don’t take that win.”
Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship will take place this weekend at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Geared up for the robust challenge are Gerry Salim of Honda NWN SCK Racing Team in MSBK250 A and teammate Rakha Bima Sakthiansyah in MSBK250 B. Indonesian rider Gerry may be a newbie in the MSBK250 A race category but he definitely has what it takes to compete competitively among the much-seasoned riders, especially with his experiences in the racing scenes of his local ground as well as the Asian and international front. In Round 1, he was defeated by his teammate with a 5-point difference in Race 1 and in Race 2, he once again fell short by 5-points in his attempt to take the win. However, his consistency in both races and his ability to defend his position awarded him with 40 points in total and a seat on top of the chart. The rider finally returned to the racing scenes after his injury last year and is certainly making up for the losses with the right scores. Commenting on the race, Gerry said, “Racing in MSBK this year has helped me try out new bike setups for ARRC Round 5 that will be held at Sepang. In my opinion, the standards of MSBK are great as the regulations are almost on par with that of ARRC for the AP250 race category. Only difference is that there are two different race categories that run in parallel. The Malaysian riders definitely inject better challenge because of their experience on the circuit ground and for me, it is a good experience to learn from them. At the moment, I have a good machine setup because I also get support from the Honda Indonesia Team. They too have a lot of experience on the Malaysian soil so, I have high hopes and trust on the team and mechanics. On the circuit, I love it. I have had my fair share of experiences and I guess that also means that I have a slight upper hand here. It is a circuit with many technical sectors and it is all about mastering it. For the upcoming round, there will be some changes to the setup compared to the first round as there have been some changes to the regulations. Therefore, some settings need to be changed to adhere to that. My goal for this season is to win the MSBK overall. Keeping my fingers crossed!” Rakha on the other hand may also be new in the MSBK250 B but the Indonesian rider has showcased quite a remarkable performance when he went on to compete with great dexterity to score the Weekend Champion title. Being in the championship for the first time, Rakha has demonstrated the ability to fight competitively and utilise the right technical skills to guard his position all the way. The MSBK250 B race category is not one that is easy to dominate especially with the huge troop flooding the circuit ground nevertheless, Rakha stood out, maintained his composure well and stayed focused before clocking in victory in both races. Commenting on the race, Rakha said, “For me, the most significant difference would be the opponents. I find them less competitive compared to those in the Mandalika Racing Series that I have been racing in. For the coming round, I have prepared myself physically and practiced on machines in Indonesia to compete against those riders in the MSBK250 A race category. Apart from that, I have also been honing my skills so that I can be competitive enough. I can’t say much about the machine at the moment but the machine is very fast. I like the Sepang circuit because the atmosphere and the level of safety is really excellent. Only thing that I didn’t quite like during the first round was the hole on the asphalt at corner 9. My target for the year is to make it as a leader in the overall chart and perhaps fight well with the other group.”
Rakha Bima Saktiansyah, a promising young talent from Indonesia, has made an impressive debut by clinching victories in both Race 1 and Race 2 of the MSBK250 B category in MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2024 Round 1. Representing the Honda NWN SCK Racing Team, Rakha’s outstanding performance not only marks his debut but also his first time competing overseas. Rakha’s achievement is a significant milestone for the 14-year-old rider, who has been diligently training for this moment. Reflecting on his success, Rakha expressed, “I feel very satisfied after Race 2 because I have trained rigorously for this moment. My main goal was simply to finish the races, but after the qualifying rounds, I gained the confidence that I could perform well in both Race 1 and Race 2.” In a surprising and heartwarming turn of events, Rakha revealed that the Bandung City government plans to construct a racing circuit in his hometown as a reward for his remarkable achievement. Rakha said, “The biggest impact of this victory is the pride I have brought to my parents. Additionally, the Bandung City government has announced their support for my racing career by planning to build a circuit near my home. This development is incredibly exciting for me and for the local racing community.” Rakha’s victory is particularly noteworthy as it marks not only his first win but also his first time racing outside of Indonesia. He shared, “It was my first time racing in another country, and to win here felt surreal and incredibly rewarding. The experience has been overwhelming in the best way possible.” “I hope to continue enhancing my skills and achieve even greater results in upcoming races. This win has given me immense confidence and motivation to push my limits and aim for higher goals,” he added. Catch up latest news at malaysiasbk.com. Chat with us
The 2024 edition of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship received a more lively reception with the presence of more professional riders from abroad, making their bold moves with their participation in Round 1. While some may call it testing the water, some dived right into the momentum and worked their strokes all the way during the weekend. Among them, attracting the attention was Mckinley Kyle Paz who appeared as the first Filipino rider to participate in the Malaysia Superbike Championship since the championship was launched in 2015. Kyle is known for his resilience in motor racing, where he consistently pushed beyond the boundaries, earning the respect and admiration from his peers and fans alike. In his debut season, Kyle, who aimed to shine, faced technical difficulties with his bike but remained optimistic and focused on the learning experience. Kyle shared, “I enjoyed my first time racing in MSBK even though my bike had some problems but we have learned many things from there. I must say that the intensity level of the race is like ARRC too.” Besides being a debutante and being the first in his country to compete in the MSBK, Kyle carries a unique sense of pride and responsibility too. “It’s always been a pleasure to be the first Filipino in any event. And I feel proud of it, competing in MSBK was a great opportunity for me.” His participation not only paves the way for future Philippines riders but also showcases the potential of athletes from his home country on an international platform. In Round 1, Kyle was one step away from a podium finish when he took fourth place in both Race 1 and Race 2. Kyle said “I was not satisfied with my race because we were struggling throughout the weekend just trying to fix my bike and we figured out the problem only after the race. That’s why we didn’t have a good race in race 2.” “However, it was a valuable weekend for me and my team. Now we know what we can do in the next race and I also know where I need to improve when it comes to my riding, so let’s see what we can bring to the next round of MSBK,” Kyle remarked. Catch up latest news at malaysiasbk.com. Chat with us
Race 2 of Round 1, MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship was held at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Azroy Hakeem Anuar of BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM celebrated a double win in one weekend in the MSBK1000 A race category. During Race 2, Azroy was fiery when he took the lead with Nakarin trailed closely behind. Azlan at P3 patiently maintained his position and went on to pressure Azroy and Nakarin. In lap 9, Nakarin overshot and the experienced rider, Azlan grabbed the chance to strike forward and took P2, left Nakarin in P3. In last lap, Azlan drew closer to Azroy in hope to overtake but Azroy picked up his pace and won the race at 21’27:597s. Azroy commented, “From the beginning, I tried to break away from the pack. It felt like midway through the race, my pace dropped. I was merely controlling the race, encountering many slower riders behind me who disrupted my racing line. However, I didn’t expect Azlan to be right behind me on the last lap. But overall, it was a good race. I aim to perform even better in the next race.” Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of HORIZON RACING TEAM made it second at 21’27:840s. Nakarin Atiratphuvaphat of HONDA RACING THAILAND took third at 21’31:121s. Catch up latest news at malaysiasbk.com. Chat with us
Race 2 of Round 1 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship was held at Sepang International Circuit. Singapore rider, Heng Si Kiat made it as the Weekend Champion in the MSBK1000 B race category. During Race 2, Si Kiat was fast to lead pace as race started. He steadily raced in his pace while maintaining a safe gap from the pack behind. At P2, was Mohd Azlly Shaari of FGRT Project but dropped to P3 after overtook by Lee Po Yu of DREAM TEAM. Po Yu continued to strike forward searching for Si Kiat tried to narrow the gap. In lap 6, Raja Nazeem Iskandar of SEVEN Motorsports overtook Azlly at P3 and attempted to overtake Po Yu, but Po Yu was fast to recover his position in last lap. Si Kiat maintained his dominance on circuit and won the race at 23’14:646s. Si Kiat said, “It was incredibly exhausting, but I poured my heart and soul into this race. I’m deeply grateful for my friends from Singapore who made the journey to support me here. Their presence meant the world to me. Not only did they show up in person, but they also shared my performance on social media, which touched me deeply. Their supports are the reason I gave my all on the stage.” Second on the podium was Lee Po Yu of DREAM TEAM at 23’21:807s. Raja Nazeem Iskandar of SEVEN Motorsports took third spot at 23’22:433s. Catch up latest news at malaysiasbk.com. Chat with us
Race 2 of Round 1 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship was held at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Md Helmi Azman of BOON SIEW HONDA RACING TEAM was victorious once again in Race 2 of the MSBK600 race category. During Race 2, Helmi put on a good fight with Apiwath and Thanat throughout the race. Rider’s position changed in each lap between Helmi, Apiwath and Thanat before Helmi finally maintained his position in the top spot from lap 7. Behind him, Apiwath and Thanat was still overtaking each other for second position. In lap 9, Apiwath overtook Thanat and tried to overtake Helmi, but Helmi increased his speed and won the race at 21’58:135s. Commenting on the race, Helmi said, “Today was another tough battle, I tried to get away from the pack but I was stuck within intense race for 6 laps. I did not stop trying to attack until I created a small gap and finally win the race.” Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA TEKHNE RACING TEAM ASIA took second place at 21’59:270s. Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND made it third at 22’01:261s. Catch up latest news at malaysiasbk.com. Chat with us