HELMI, AZROY SET UP FINAL FACE-OFF OF 2019
Honda riders Helmi Azman and Azroy Hakeem Anuar will be facing off for the 2019 MSBK600 title at the season finale of the national superbike championship. The riders are limbering up for a weekend of intensive racing with two rounds held back-to-back on the same weekend.
Team Hi-Rev SCK Honda Racing’s Helmi was consistently the fastest 600 rider during the first day of practice. The 20 year old clinched provisional pole with 2’11.750s in the combined free practice results.
Championship leader Azroy Hakeem Anuar from the Boon Siew Honda Racing Team, trailed his Honda rival by half a second. Many of the top riders in the 600 class were noticeably absent from the final round due to conflicting schedules with the CEV. Absent from the grid include title contender Izam Ikmal Izmali, as well as podium regulars Adam Norrodin and Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin.
Their absence would make it easier for Azroy to clinch the MSBK600 title. However, at 50 points behind and with four races to complete over the course of the final weekend, Helmi still stands a mathematical chance of staging a last-minute reversal.
Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia duo Ahmad Afif Amran and Mohd Akid Aziz could possibly dole out a few surprises in the coming races. The two Yamaha riders were clocked at third and fourth fastest during the free practice with 2’13.311s and 2’15.964s respectively.
Yuzy Racing Team’s Shahrol Syazras Shahrol Yuzy ended the day fifth fastest with 2’17.237s.
While the local Malaysian riders locked out the top five spots on the provisional grid, Singaporean Khurana Dhiraj Tan from Worx Motorsports, Shigenaga Toranosuke (Chunetsu Racing), India’s Abijith Satya Prasad (Worx Motorsports), Deepak Ravi Kumar (RACR) and Malaysian Jamal Qayyum Aziz M Sidik completed the top 10 in the MSBK600 combined times.
AFB Tech Racing’s Ganesan Murugan checked in 11th quickest followed by wildcard veteran Oh Kah Beng who posted 2’25.022s.