The opening round of the 2025 AEON CREDIT MAM MALAYSIA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit featured the Berjaya Sompo YAMAHA R15M Race Elites category practice sessions, where Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli of GTMAX topped the combined practice session. In Practice 1, Muhd Khairi Asyraf Mahmood of SINGDECA DYNAMIC set the fastest lap with a time of 2’50:947s. He was followed by Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak of XL MOTOR in second with a time of 2’51:051s, and Izam in third at 2’51:653s. In Practice 2, Izam set the fastest lap time of 2’48:542s, reaching a top speed of 118.40 km/h, to lead the group. Muhd Idil Fitri Mahadi of NEW CHEN MOTORSPORTS, who posted a time of 2’49:898s, finished 1:356s behind Izam in second, while Muhd Haziq Mohd Hamdan of SOON CHONG RACING TEAM took third with a time of 2’50:086s. Overall, Izam was the fastest across both sessions, with Idil and Haziq rounding out the top three. Izam commented, “I felt happy that I was able to set a good lap time. However, we need to refine our performance even more. I really hope that this momentum continues, as I’m eager to compete for a spot on the podium in Race 1.” Top 5 Fastest – Free Practice (Combined) 1. Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli – GTMAX (2’48:542s) 2. Muhd Idil Fitri Mahadi – NEW CHEN MOTORSPORTS (2’49:898s) 3. Muhd Haziq Mohd Hamdan – SOON CHONG RACING TEAM (2’50:086s) 4. Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak – XL MOTOR (2’50:117s) 5. Muhd Adie Putra Sukarno – WELLY ASSORTED RAWANG RACING TEAM (2’50:246s)
Round 1 of the Aeon Credit MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship will take place at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. Md Izam Ikmal is thrilled to keep his championship momentum from last season and fight off the highly competitive troop in the Berjaya Sompo YAMAHA R15M Race Elites race category. It is a tough feat racing in a race category with a large troop swamping in at the same time but Izam was fearless in taking risks and careful to not make any errors. That resulted in victory at the top spot for Izam last season with a total of 92 points to his name however, the race category being an unpredictable one adds on to the challenge more so with highly competitive riders in the entry list like Arash Tsunami and Abdullah Qayyum who both took the second and third place respectively with a total of 90 and 71 points. Leaving dexterity aside, the other challenge would be the type of machine which is comparatively different from the underbone machine that the riders are familiar with. The riders who are mostly an extension of the PETRONAS MAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship may be extremely skilled with the underbone machines however, it takes additional effort and capacity to adapt to a different riding technique required in this race category. Who will be the next promising rider in the race category? Izam said, “For this season, I will just be extra careful since I have other targets as well in the PETRONAS MAM Malaysian Cub Prix and IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. For MSBK, I will utilise it as a training ground to enhance my riding techniques and but at the same time train up to ensure that I am on par with the other contenders. I want to make the cut once again for sure. For me, in terms of the machine, I don’t find any difference between the underbone and tank machine. I can adapt pretty quickly. Also, since I am riding the AP250 in ARRC, this would not be much of a problem for me. I believe I have the experience that is needed for this race category but whatever said and done, it also boils down to the situation during the race. So, let’s see how it goes.” As for Arash, he said, “For me, the challenges this season may be far greater than the last but I am all out to give the fiercest competition I can to the other riders. Of course, there is also the challenge of the machine especially that I am more suited to the underbone machine. As such, racing on a tank machine means handling my riding techniques which is different especially when entering the corners because the machine gets heavier. My weakness is probably the qualifying session but again, I will do my best to get the best lap time. My strength I think are the strategies on the last lap – I am pretty good at following the front group.” Qayyum on the other hand said, “Last year was super intense and everyone brought on their A-game. This year too, I am expecting an even tighter battle especially with the new talents coming in and everyone levelling up. For me, consistency and bike setup are key and of course, handling the pressure too counts. There is a big difference between riding the underbone machine and a tank bike – it is all about agility and quick handling, also, it is faster, heavier and more demanding especially on braking. I believe that I am good at adapting. I learn the tracks and setups quickly and I am also very focused during race. There are weaknesses as well. I am still working on launching more aggressively and not losing out in the first few corners. I have to work hard on closing the gap.”
Race 2 of the YAMAHA R15M Race Elites saw Muhd Alif Danial Mohd Asri of SINGDECA DYNAMIC took the win, while Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli of NS ONE secured the 2024 championship title. Unlike Race 1, where Izam led throughout, Race 2 unfolded with tighter margins and strategic battles. Riders remained closely packed, with less than half a second separating them for most of the race. On the final lap, Alif surged forward to claim victory in 20’15:535s, followed by Arash Tsunami Kamarudin of TAYCON at 20’15:650s. Izam finished third at 20’15:728s, ensuring his championship win. Izam said, “The race earlier was quite intense. The riders were very aggressive from the start, so I just focused on maintaining my position. I knew who was fighting for the championship and managed my position well. On the last lap, when Rayyan led the group, I found an opening to accelerate and secure a podium finish.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. Muhd Alif Danial Mohd Asri – SINGDECA DYNAMIC (20’15:535s) 2. Arash Tsunami Kamarudin- TAYCON (20’15:650s) 3. Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli – NS ONE (20’15:728s) 4. Muhd Faiz Zekri Sabri – NEW CHEN MOTORSPORTS (20’15:915s) 5. Raiyan Khardanee M Sanusi – SBF BIKERS (20’15:972s) OVERALL STANDINGS 1. Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli – NS ONE (92 points) 2. Arash Tsunami Kamarudin- TAYCON (90 points) 3. Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak – HOCK LIONG (71 points) 4. Ahmad Syukran Aizat Mohd Yusoff – BLH GLASSTEEL 46 RACING (68 points) 5. Muhd Shafiq Ezzariq – ADVANCE VERTEX MOTOR (51 points)
Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli of NS ONE clinched an impressive victory in Race 1 of Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit today, showcasing exceptional skill in the YAMAHA R15M Race Elites race category. In the morning qualifying session, Izam set a blistering pace with a fastest lap time of 2’49:116s, claiming pole position. Close behind him was Muhd Faiz Zekri Sabri of NEW CHEN MOTORSPORTS, who posted a time of 2’50:022s. Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak of HOCK LIONG rounded out the top three with a time of 2’50:098s. As the race commenced, Izam surged to the front, leading the pack. Although he was overtaken on a few occasions, he quickly regained control, keeping the race thrillingly close. The intense battle for the top positions made it difficult to predict who would seize the win, with riders jockeying for position in a tightly packed group. However, it was in lap 5 that Izam began to establish a commanding lead, extending his gap from 1.387s to 2.327s over the group—a rare feat in this highly competitive race category. While Izam steadily pulled away, the fight for second place heated up, with riders charging aggressively to secure the runner-up spot. Izam crossed the finish line with an outstanding performance, completing the race in 20’22:663s, 2.447s ahead of Arash Tsunami Kamarudin of TAYCON, who secured second place at 20’25:110s. Danial Johan of LIANG SOON MOTOR SERVICE finished third, just 0.063s behind Arash with a time of 20’25:173s. Izam reflected on his victory, saying, “In the early laps, I was just observing the pace of the other riders. After that, I started to race more aggressively. I noticed that some riders were still fighting for the lead, so I pushed harder to increase the gap. I’m very satisfied with my performance today, and I hope to carry this momentum into Race 2 tomorrow.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli – NS ONE (20’22:663) 2. Arash Tsunami Kamarudin – TAYCON (20’25:110s) 3. Danial Johan – LIANG SOON MOTOR SERVICE (20’25:173s) 4. Ahmad Syukran Aizat Mohd Yusoff – BLH GLASSTEEL 46 RACING (20’25:228s) 5. Muhd Idil Fitri – TKC SOUTHERN (20’25:625s)
Round 4 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit featured the YAMAHA R15M Race Elites category practice sessions, where Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli of NS ONE topped the sessions. In Practice 1, Muhd Idil Fitri of TKC SOUTHERN set the fastest lap with a time of 2’50.991s. He was followed by Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak of HOCK LIONG in second with a time of 2’51.945s, and Ahmad Syukran Aizat Mohd Yusoff of BLH GLASSTEEL 46 RACING in third at 2’52.104s. In Practice 2, Izam set the fastest lap time of 2’34.100s, reaching a top speed of 118.13 km/h, to lead the group. Idil, who posted a time of 2’49.134s, finished 0.206s behind Izam in second, while Fareez took third with a time of 2’49.350s. Overall, Izam was the fastest across both sessions, with Idil and Fareez rounding out the top three. Izam commented, “In FP1, we saw that the track condition was quite wet, so there wasn’t much we could try out. In this category, there isn’t much we can adjust with the setup, so it’s mostly about our skills and techniques. So I made good use of the advantage I have to stay ahead of the other riders. In FP2, the weather improved, and I was able to set a good lap time. So far, I’m ready for Race 1 tomorrow.” Combined Result – Top 5 Fastest Practice Session YAMAHA R15M Race Elite 1. Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli – NS ONE (2’48:928s) 2. Muhd Idil Fitri – TKC SOUTHERN (2’49:134s) 3. Muhd Fareez Afeez – BERJAYA MEGA (2’49:350s) 4. Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak – HOCK LIONG (2’49:938s) 5. Arash Tsunami Kamarudin – TAYCON (2’50:575s)
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!”
Race 2 of Round 3 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit witnessed an exhilarating showdown in the YAMAHA R15M Race Elites category. Muhd Shafiq Ezzariq of TKC SOUTHERN emerged victorious, showcasing a remarkable redemption following the challenging Race 1. As the race commenced, Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli of SHH PENANG TEAM quickly took the lead, but Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak of SBF BIKERS swiftly overtook him to take charge of the group. Each lap saw a shifting lead, highlighting the competitive spirit of the riders. By lap 5, Izam had fought his way back to the front, only to see Qayyum reclaim the top spot shortly thereafter. As the final laps unfolded, the intensity ramped up, particularly on final lap, where Shafiq was just 0.010s behind Qayyum, creating a nail-biting atmosphere. Muhd Idil Fitri of TWOWAY MOTOR who had briefly taken the lead, made a slight mistake and lost his position, allowing Shafiq to surge ahead. Shafiq crossed the line first at 20’28:230s, with Adib claiming P2 just 0:092s behind. Muhd Fareez Afeez of BERJAYA MEGA secured P3 at 20’28:361s. “I am grateful to have redeemed myself after yesterday’s disappointment, where I was leading but faced a minor incident in the last corner. Today’s race was quite intense from the start all the way to the final lap. I maintained my focus and aimed to stay within the top 5 group. In the last lap, I noticed many riders battling for position, so I seized the opportunity at the final turn, seeing that their bikes were getting heavier. I took advantage of that moment to take the lead, and thankfully, I achieved victory. Alhamdulillah!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 YAMAHA R15M Race Elites 1. Muhd Shafiq Ezzariq – TKC SOUTHERN (20’28:230s) 2. Muhd Adib Arsyad Mohd Hisam – TAYCON (20’28:322s) 3. Muhd Fareez Afeez – BERJAYA MEGA (20’28:361s) 4. Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli – SHH PENANG TEAM (20’28:445s) 5. Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak – SBF BIKERS (20’28:536s)
Race 1 of Round 3 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship took place today at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, where Ahmad Syukran Aizat Mohd Yusoff of WEE PLUS RACING SABAH claimed a thrilling victory in the YAMAHA R15M Race Elites category. The race commenced with Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli of SHH PENANG TEAM taking an early lead, closely pursued by Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak of SBF BIKERS. However, the excitement escalated at Turn 2 when both Izam and Muhd Fairuz Zekri Sabri of NEW CHEN MOTORSPORTS fell, leaving Faiz to press on. This unexpected twist opened the door for Muhd Shafiq Ezzariq of BOON HUA MOTOR, who, starting from the 9th grid position, quickly seized the lead, with Qayyum and Muhd Adib Arsyad Mohd Hisam of LIANG SOON MOTOR SERVICE tailing closely behind. The race unfolded like a rollercoaster, with the lead changing hands nearly every lap. By lap 6, Faiz surged from the back to take the lead, followed closely by Qayyum in P2 and Shafiq Ezzariq in P3. As the race neared its conclusion, Qayyum executed a daring overtake on Faiz in the final lap, but it was Syukran who showcased exceptional skill and determination, racing past both to claim the checkered flag. Crossing the finish line first, Syukran clocked an impressive time of 20’25:713s, narrowly edging out Qayyum, who finished just 0.004 seconds behind. Muhammad Fadlyshah Redzuan of NS ONE rounded out the top three with a time of 20’25:756s. This victory not only marks a significant achievement for Syukran but also places him at the top of the overall standings with a total of 47 points, leading Qayyum by 2 points in second place. Syukran celebrated his hard-fought victory, stating, “From the start of the race, I aimed to stay within the front group, making sure I didn’t fall behind while maintaining my consistency. In the last two laps, I pushed myself to move ahead, and thankfully, I succeeded. This victory is a testament to my hard work and the support of my team.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 YAMAHA R15M Race Elites 1. Ahmad Syukran Aizat Mohd Yusoff – WEE PLUS RACING SABAH (20’25:713s) 2. Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak – SBF BIKERS (20’25:717s) 3. Muhammad Fadlyshah Redzuan – NS ONE (20’25:756s) 4. Muhd Syafiq Asyraf Mohd Zam Zam – HOCK LIONG (20’25:788s) 5. Muhd Alif Ashraf Tahiruddin – KOK CHENG RACING TEAM (20’25:847s)
The Free Practice sessions for the YAMAHA R15M Race Elites at Round 3 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2024 were held at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, with Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak of SBF BIKERS leading the combined results. Qayyum set the benchmark with a fastest lap time of 2’50:141s, demonstrating both speed and consistency throughout the sessions. His performance positions him as a strong contender for pole position in tomorrow’s qualifying. Reflecting on the day, Qayyum commented, “Many riders today chose not to push too hard due to the wet track, and I adopted the same strategy, avoiding too much pressure. However, I know that tomorrow’s FP3 will be critical. We need to give everything we’ve got to secure pole for Race 1. Every effort matters, and I’m ready to make the most of it!” Mohd Syamil Amsyar Mohd Iffende of BOON HUA MOTOR finished second with a time of 2’51:051s, just 0:910s behind Qayyum, setting the stage for a tight battle in the coming sessions. In third place, Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli of SHH PENANG TEAM clocked in at 2’51:366s, 1:225s behind the leader, and will aim to close the gap during tomorrow’s qualifying. Result – Top 5 Fastest Practice Session (Combined) YAMAHA R15M Race Elites 1. Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak – SBF BIKERS (2’50:141s) 2. Mohd Syamil Amsyar Mohd Iffende – BOON HUA MOTOR (2’51:051s) 3. Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli – SHH PENANG TEAM (2’51:366s) 4. Muhd Alif Danial Mohd Asri – EL MOTOR (2’51:495s) 5. Muhd Fareez Afeez – BERJAYA MEGA (2’51:505s)
The excitement is palpable as the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) gears up for Round 3 this weekend at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Among the riders to watch is Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak of the WELLY RACING TEAM, competing in the YAMAHA R15M Race Elites category. After a dramatic Round 2 that saw Qayyum crash in Race 1 and make a triumphant comeback to win Race 2, he’s ready to take on the challenge again. Qayyum has been diligently preparing for the upcoming race with a rigorous training routine. “As a rider, I have my own schedule. Every morning, I make sure to jog, hit the gym, and cycle. In the evenings, I either train on motocross or road racing bikes. It’s essential to stay fit and sharp to compete at this level.” With Round 3 just around the corner, Qayyum’s targets are clear. “My goal for this weekend is to at least secure a top 5 finish. A podium finish would be a bonus for me, God willing.” Reflecting on his victory in Race 2 of the last round, despite the crash in Race 1, Qayyum’s resilience shines through. “In Race 1 of Round 2, I crashed and injured my leg. I didn’t feel fit for Race 2, but my determination pushed me to continue racing. I wanted to prove that even with an injury, I could still reach the podium. Winning that race was incredibly special, especially since it was my boss’s birthday.” Qayyum is confident about maintaining his momentum. “I believe in myself and my ability to keep my momentum. I’ve learned a lot from previous races, and this week, I’ll be focusing 100% on becoming the winner again, God willing.” As for the challenges ahead, Qayyum remains unfazed. He said, “This week is definitely going to be tough. There are many excellent riders from the PETRONAS MAM Malaysian Cub Prix in both CP150 and CP125 classes, and the weather has been unpredictable. But I don’t see these as obstacles. I believe in myself, and I know I can overcome them.”