ZULFAHMI BACK ON A BIKE

Malaysian GP rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin has dusted off his racing suit and is back on a bike as Round 1 of the 2019 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship flagged off at the Sepang International Circuit this weekend.

The formidable Malaysian rider will be racing a BMW in the MSBK 1000 Superbike class of the Sepang-based national series. Unsurprisingly, Zulfahmi topped the class in the first practice session with a best time of 2’13.211s.

“I’ve missed racing too much to stop completely,” said Zulfahmi who is entered under his own team, the SIC Junior ZK Racing. “My entry in the first round of the Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship is just my way of getting back into racing form. We’ll see where this step leads me in the future.”

Farid Badrul from the Horizon Racing Team and Amirul Hafiz M. Azmi were second and third fastest respectively with 2’14.714s and 2’18.973s.

Shahrulnizam Ramli aced the first practice of the season in the MSBK1000 Superstock class with 2’16.564s followed by Daniel Haiqal and Afique Danial Izzad.

The MSBK 600 class saw a number of upcoming young riders. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin grabbed the top spot with 2’14.168s. Azroy Hakeem Anuar ended the first day of practice in second place with 2’14.555s.

ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team’s Nazirul Izzat Bahauddin led a 26-bike MSBK 250 grid with 2’31.385s.