The MSBK1000 B season opener at MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit delivered a controlled but competitive race, as Santhiran A/L Naga Raju from Malaysia produced a composed ride to claim victory after early drama. From the start, Santhiran took control ahead of both B.A TUNING riders, Jeff Cheong and Chau Chi Chuen, in second and third. The race was briefly unsettled early on when Teuku Irfan Affandy of TRIPLE A MOTOEXPERT crashed, reshaping the opening order and allowing the leaders to pull clear. By Lap 3, Santhiran led Jeff, with Chi Chuen, Alvinderjitsingh from Malaysia, and Tee Wee Jin of MOBILUB SUZUKI RACING TEAM following. The front group settled into rhythm as the battle shifted into strategy. Lap 4 saw Alvinderjitsingh progress while Wesley Lim Shing Shiong of SAVITAR TEAM ASIA moved into fifth, tightening the midfield fight. On Lap 5, Alvinderjitsingh passed Chi Chuen for third, but Chi Chuen responded on lap 6 to reclaim the position. Wesley remained steady in fifth as the fight continued behind. From Lap 7, Santhiran controlled the pace under pressure from Jeff, with Chi Chuen securing third and Alvinderjitsingh and Wesley completing the top five. At the flag, Santhiran took victory at 26’05.242s, Jeff finished second at 26’05.636s, and Chi Chuen completed the podium at 26’13.330s. Alvinderjitsingh and Wesley rounded out the top five. Santhiran shared, “This is my first time racing in MSBK, to be honest, it was stressful and tense because everyone here is very experienced. For me, coming in as a first-timer, I would consider myself an amateur. Then the weather suddenly changed and it became a wet race. The other thing is, I’ve never used wet tyres before. I didn’t even have a set before this. So the sighting lap was actually my first ever experience using wet tyres in my life. But I gradually gained confidence. My crew did a very good job setting up the bike, and everyone supported me with motivation, so I just did my best. I didn’t have big expectations, I was only aiming for a top five, but the weather worked in my favour and everything went well today. I’m hoping for the best tomorrow, and good luck to everyone.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. SANTHIRAN A/L NAGA RAJU – MALAYSIA (26’05.242s) 2. JEFF CHEONG – B.A TUNING (26’05.636s) (10 LAPS) 3. CHAU CHI CHUEN – B.A TUNING (26’13.330s) 4. ALVINDERJITSINGH – MALAYSIA (23’58.594s) (9 LAPS) 5. WESLEY LIM SHING SHIONG – SAVITAR TEAM ASIA (24’18.255s)
Round 4 of the 2025 AEON CREDIT MAM MALAYSIA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP kicked off today at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, with Khairul Idham Pawi of HONDA RACING MYS dominating the MSBK600 category to emerge as the fastest rider in the combined Free Practice sessions. In Free Practice 1, Khairul stamped his authority by posting the fastest lap of 2’12.655s, also recording the highest top speed among all riders at 150.43km/h. Close behind, Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MYS clocked 2’12.930s, while teammate Muhd Izam Ikmal Izamli secured third with 2’13.200s. Cao Viet Nam of HONDA RACING VIE TEAM and Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi of HONDA RACING MYS completed the top five. Free Practice 2 saw Khairul maintain his lead despite a minor engine issue, posting 2’13.102s. Izam improved to second with 2’13.762s, while Cao secured third at 2’13.784s. Irfan finished fourth, and Farres rounded out the top five. With the combined results from both sessions, Khairul remained fastest overall, followed by Farres in second and Izam in third, while Cao and Irfan completed the top five. Khairul shared, “In Free Practice 2, I faced a small issue with the bike as there was an engine problem, but overall, I’m still happy with the progress. Of course, my target here is to fight for the overall championship, and I’m also aiming to continue improving my lap times.” SIC AND TWMR WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO AEON CREDIT (M) BERHAD FOR THE SUPPORT RENDERED THIS WEEKEND DURING AEON CREDIT MAM MALAYSIA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP. TOP 5 FASTEST – FREE PRACTICE (COMBINED) 1. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – HONDA RACING MYS (2’12.655s) 2. FARRES PUTRA MOHD FADHIL – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MYS (2’12.930s) 3. MUHD IZAM IKMAL IZAMLI – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MYS (2’13.200s) 4. CAO VIET NAM – HONDA RACING VIE TEAM (2’13.784s) 5. MD IRFAN HAYKHAL AMIDI – HONDA RACING MYS (2’14.308s)