FARID BADRUL STUNNER AT MSBK OPENER

Horizon Racing Team’s Farid Badrul pulled off a stunning victory over favourite Zulfahmi Khairuddin when he won the MSBK1000 Race 1 at the season opener of the 2019 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship.

Although Zulfahmi, with his years of experience in the MotoGP and the World Supersports Championships, clearly had an advantage over Farid, the Horizon Racing Team rider proved to be more than his rival’s equal when he pipped Zulfahmi to the finish line by 1.993 seconds.

“I knew that Zulfahmi would have an edge. So my strategy was to try to get away right from the start of the race. I wanted to create as big a gap as I could, prolonging the moment when I will have to battle against Fahmi,” said Farid who opened his 2019 campaign in the best possible way with a 21’54.059s win.

Meanwhile, Zulfahmi made his task all the harder with a bad start from the front of the grid.

“I had a bad start and got myself stuck behind a few riders. It took me a while to overtake them. Additionally, I had decided to go out on Race 1 on used tyres, so grip became a bit of an issue. When I caught up with Farid, there was simply not enough rubber left for me to make a decisive move,” said Fahmi of his second place position with 21’56.052s.

Amirul Hafiz Azmi from the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team crossed the finish line in third place with 22’36.539s.

Shahrulnizam Ramli won the MSBK1000 SuperStock A class while the MSBK1000 Superstock B victory went to Daniel Haiqal.

Earlier in the day, Azroy Hakeem Anuar, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin, Mohd Izam Ikmal Izmali, Mohd Helmi Azman and Mohd Akid Aziz treated viewers to a spectacular MSBK600 Race 1. The five riders engaged in a 10-lap battle for P1 which eventually came down in favour of Boon Siew Honda Racing Team’s Azroy Hakeem Anuar.

Kasma Daniel from team Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia came home in second place while SIC Junior ZK Racing’s Mohd Izam Ikmal Izmali completed the top-three.

More racing is in store at the Sepang International Circuit on Sunday, June 16, 2019. Spectator entry is free.