Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and Two Wheels Motor Racing (TWMR) has jointly announced that the season opener for the 2021 Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK), originally scheduled to be held from August 6 to 8, has had to be postponed until further notice. A new calendar will be announced once the Championship receives confirmed directions from the relevant authorities. Quote from Azhan Shafriman Hanif, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SIC: As the host, we have no choice but to postpone the MSBK Round 1 and subsequent rounds to a later date. This is due to the current Covid-19 cases in Malaysia. The safety and well-being of those involved with MSBK are our top priority. SIC and TWMR will be back in action, but we need to do our part to break the chain of this pandemic. Quote from Ron Hogg, Director, Two Wheels Motor Racing: While we are equally disappointed that the season opener has had to be postponed, we are firm that the health and safety of all our participants and race officials must be our top priority. As such, we will be working hand-in-hand with the Sepang International Circuit to release a new MSBK calendar as soon as possible. In the meantime, we continue to urge everyone to abide by the health guidelines, get vaccinated, and stay safe! For more information, kindly contact Two Wheels Motor Racing Sdn Bhd at Tel: +603-8733 8787. Catch up latest news at malaysiasbk.com. Chat with us.
Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and Two Wheels Motor Racing (TWMR) has jointly announced the start of the 2021 Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK). Working on the assumption that the number of Covid-19 cases will stabilize within the next couple of months, the 4-round season are scheduled as follows: Round 1 – August 6 to 8, 2021 Round 2 – August 20 to 22, 2021 Round 3 & 4 – October 14 to 17, 2021 The final two rounds in October are slated to be double-headers. As always, the entire series will be hosted at the Sepang International Circuit. However, please note that this calendar is subject to further government approvals particularly with regards to the pandemic SoPs. Quote from Azhan Shafriman Hanif, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SIC: The calendar announcement brings great news to our two-wheel local Motorsports scene. I believe the riders are looking forward to start racing in the upcoming MSBK Round 1 in August. At the moment, we are still under Movement Control Order (MCO) until 7 June 2021 due to the recent spikes of Covid-19. As much as we want to be back in action, the safety and well being of others remain our top priority. SIC and TMWR are committed in getting the necessary approvals and shall ensure that those involved with the race to strictly adhere to the SOPs. Quote from Ron Hogg, Director, Two Wheels Motor Racing: We are really looking forward to getting the 2021 season off to a great start by August. The MSBK only managed to race a single round in 2020 due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. It will be great to have everyone back on their bikes and back on track within the next few months. Even though the championship may or may not be able to welcome foreign participants at this juncture, we feel that it is very important for the Malaysia Superbikes Championship to resume so that our rider development system continues to play its role in creating the next generation of world-class riders. It’s time to get the championship back on track. In the meantime, we urge the motorsports community to actively follow the existing MCO SoPs. Let’s work together to bring this pandemic under control for our mutual benefit. For more information, kindly contact Two Wheels Motor Racing Sdn Bhd at Tel: +603-8733 8787. Catch up latest news at malaysiasbk.com. Chat with us.
Day 2 of the 2021 Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) Open Track Day ended on a positive note as the teams and riders walked away satisfied having met their respective training objectives of the weekend. Obviously, none of the riders were going out with the intention of creating new lap records. Instead, with a balanced mix of professional and semi-professional riders on the grid, every one had a different training objective in mind. Here’s what some of the riders had to say: AZLAN SHAH KAMARUZAMAN – BMW S1000RR 2020, ONEXOX TKKR RACING TEAM This weekend for me and my team was to continue the set-up work that was interrupted when the 2020 season had to be called off. I had only raced with the BMW S1000RR 2020 model once last year. To be honest, it was so powerful that I fought my bike all the way throughout last season’s one and only round. This weekend, our objective was to tame that power, find more stability while keeping the speed. So far, we are happy with the progression of our work and the opportunity to test this weekend has really helped us better prepare for the start of superbikes racing this season. MOHD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – HONDA CBR1000R SP2, BOON SIEW HONDA RACING For me, this weekend is a good way to get back my race conditioning. We were not able to use our ARRC race bike so I’m still testing with my 2019 Honda CBR1000R SP2. CY KHOO – SUZUKI GSX R1000R, TEAM HIAP AIK SUZUKI RACING It was really good to finally have a session on track after the long enforced break. We only had the chance to race on the new Dunlop tyres once last year. This was a good chance for us to try out different compounds and combinations without the pressure of race-preparations. JOEY TEO – SUZUKI GSX R1000R, SAVITAR Fitness was the biggest challenge because we had not been able to race for so long. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere this weekend. Just enjoying our riding in a safe environment. The next time the MSBK organizes another open track day, I highly recommend it to any superbike riders out there. You should come and experience it for yourself. IBRAHIM NORRODIN – YAMAHA YZF600, SIC RACING TEAM Everyone is basically using this session almost as a pre-season test to get ready for the races to come. For me personally, it is so vitally important for the MSBK and the Asia Road Racing Championship to commence this year. My racing career literally hinges on it as we’ve already lost a whole year. So I really hope that the relevant authorities will give the green light for the MSBK and Asia Road Racing Championship to proceed. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – HONDA CBR600RR, BOON SIEW HONDA RACING It’s been almost six months since I’ve had the opportunity to get back on the 600cc bike. Overall, my laptimes from the weekend was satisfactory. Not too bad, but certainly nothing to shout about yet. I was more focused on fine-tuning my riding style astride the full frame bike. IDLAN HAQIMI – HONDA CBR250RR, BOON SIEW HONDA RACING Like Azroy, my objective for this weekend was to get back into the rhythm. It was a good opportunity to train and improve and I really appreciate having these two days to focus on 250cc riding. AHMAD FAZLI SHAM – YAMAHA Y15ZR, ONEXOX TKKR RACING TEAM My role this weekend is to be the test rider and trainer for our junior riders. So I’m lending my expertise to help the team prepare for the season to come. AHMAD AFIF AMRAN AND AIMAN TAHIRUDDIN – YAMAHA Y15ZR, CARDINALS RACING This weekend was our first time out on track with the Cardinals Racing team’s bikes. It was a good chance to get acquainted with the team and the bike. Because team Hong Leong Yamaha has decided to focus solely on the 1000cc class this year, we will be participating in the 150cc class with Cardinals Racing. We are very much looking forward to the start of the season. The championship specifications are significantly different from that of the PETRONAS Malaysian Cub Prix Championship. For one thing, there will be no rpm limiters in the ARRC. USAMMAH NAZAM – YAMAHA Y15ZR, GRT RACING I’m here this weekend to prepare for the MSBK150 class. I’m really excited about this opportunity to work with GRT Racing. I race in the Pro-Am category in the PETRONAS Malaysian Cub Prix Championship, which is competitive in and of itself. However, the MSBK150 is my chance to pit my skills against the top riders of the class. It will be a great learning opportunity. Click here for full results. Be a part of the conversation.