HELMI VICTORIOUS AT SEPANG

Race 1, Round 1 of the Malaysia Superbike Championship went on swiftly today at the Sepang International Circuit. Taking the first win for the season was Helmi Azman of Boon Siew Honda Racing Team in the MSBK600 race category.

During the qualifying session that was held earlier today, Khairul of Boon Siew Honda Racing Team clocked in the fastest lap time in three laps at 2’09:708s making him the pole-man for the weekend followed by his fellow teammate Helmi Azman within six laps at 2’10:136s and Soichiro Minamimoto of Yamaha Gen Blu Racing Team Asean at 2’11:218s.

The race took off with Khairul taking the lead followed by teammate Helmi. While the duo was in a comfortable pace ahead of the other riders, Sharul at P3 and Soichiro at P4 engaged in a heated battle. By the end lap 2, Soichiro broke away from Sharul’s intense pressure. Meanwhile, among the Boon Siew duo, Helmi was trying to catch up with Khairul. By the end lap 3, Helmi had inched closer to Khairul. Mid-race, Helmi was seen pressuring Khairul.

At P3, Soichiro kept on with his pace with Sharul looking for ways to strike. The trio definitely seemed to have locked down their positions well. Although Helmi went on to threaten Khairul, the latter did not budge and stayed steady throughout the race. At the final lap, the duo stayed in the rhythm, finding ways to supersede his teammate. Mid-lap, he found his loop-hole from the inside and struck Khairul before picking up speed towards victory at 21’58:345s

Commenting on the race, Helmi said, “It was a back -to-back race for us. Our paces was a little slow compared to Asia. We are still finding the right setting. We had to make do with the current setting because it was meant for a much hotter temperature and since today was not so hot, it was difficult to get the right pace. Nevertheless, we did our best.”

Khairul Idham Pawi who took second spot on the podium at 21’58:567s.

Soichiro Minamimoto of Yamaha Gen Blu Racing Team Asean took third place at 22’14:852s.

Catch up latest news at malaysiasbk.com.
Chat with us