ZAQHWAN TAMES THE POWER OF THE HONDA CBR1000 RRR SP
Making its race debut for the first time at Round 2 of the Malaysia Superbike Championship, the brand new Honda CBR1000 RRR SP in the hands of 2 times Asian champion Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi has proven itself to be a formidable race machine.
The 10-lap Race 1 of the MSBK 1000 class was more than just a battle between Zaqhwan Zaidi and Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin. It was a straight-out sprint battle between the Honda’s brute strength versus the Yamaha’s finesse, top speed versus handling, and last but not least, Zaqhwan’s experience against Kasma’s never-say-die attitude.
Yamaha Racing Team ASEAN’s Kasma had stolen the limelight all weekend. The young Yamaha rider topped the first day of free practice and set a new track record for the MSBK 1000 class (2’06.957s) during the qualifier.
On the other hand, Zaqhwan’s progress was more measured.
“It’s a brand new bike. We’ve never had the chance to break it in. So we had to pace ourselves throughout the first three practice sessions. To be honest, the bike is not fully set up yet. Thankfully we managed to whip everything in shape for Race 1. At least now I know the potential of the bike,” said Zaqhwan at the podium after chalking up his second win of the season with 21’26.761s.
Kasma, who plaintively said that he needed more power after the race, finished second with 21’27.210s.
Finally, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman took up the third spot on the podium with 21’37.778s. The seasoned campaigner from the ONEXOX TKKR Racing Team is still the man to beat for the 2021 MSBK title. With 74 points under his belt, Azlan leads Zaqhwan by eight points.
Meanwhile, Khoo Chee Yen from Team Hiap Aik Suzuki Racing took top honours in the MSBK 1000 B with 23’22.289s. Khoo was trailed by Teo Yew Joe and Nik Hadi Nik Mahmood.
MSBK 1000 A RACE 1 RESULTS
- Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi (Honda, Boon Siew Honda Racing Team), 21’26.761s
- Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (Yamaha, Yamaha Racing Team ASEAN), 21’27.210s
- Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (BMW, ONEXOX TKKR Racing Team), 21’37.778s
MSBK 1000 B RACE 1 RESULTS
- Khoo Chee Yen (Suzuki, Team Hiap Aik Suzuki Racing), 23’22.289s
- Teo Yew Joe (Suzuki) 23’23’236s
- Nik Hadi Nik Mahmood (Ducati) 23’30.167s
MSBK 1000 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS AFTER RACE 1, ROUND 2
- Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (BMW, ONEXOX TKKR Racing team), 74 pts
- Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi (Honda, Boon Siew Honda Racing Team), 66 pts
- Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (Yamaha, Yamaha Racing Team ASEAN), 65 pts
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