HELMI CHECKS AZROY’S AMBITIONS IN MSBK600 RACE 1 AND RACE 2

MSBK600 championship leader Azroy Hakeem Anuar found his ambitions for a double win in Race 1 and Race checked by a rampaging Mohd Helmi Azman.

Azroy, who holds a 50-point lead over fellow Honda rider Helmi, won the bid for pole position when he posted 2’11.537s in the qualifier.

In spite of the coveted starting position, Azroy had no answer for Helmi’s lightning-fast start as the Hi-Rev SCK Honda Racing yellow Honda streaked into the holeshot in both Race 1 and Race 2.

Helmi was able to quickly carve out a lead in Race 1 and won a solo ride at the front of the group with 22’01.624s. Azroy finished second with 22’05.392s, 3.768s behind Helmi.

The two Honda riders were again the star of the show in Race 2. This second time around, Azroy was determined to stay on pace with Helmi. The Boon Siew Honda Racing Team rider made repeated overtaking attempts in the first six laps before he successfully made a bid for the lead on Lap 7.

Two laps later, Azroy lost the lead when he made an unforced gearing error at the last corner. As Helmi stole into the lead, a miscalculation by the flag marshall brought out the chequered flag a lap early.

The 10-lap race was shortened to 9 laps, with the win going to Helmi. Azroy had to settle for second in Race 2. However, Azroy can afford to take it easy this weekend. The double podium on Saturday has given him a 40-point advantage over Helmi.

Behind the duelling Hondas, Ahmad Afif Amran ended the day by finishing third in both Race 1 and Race 2.