THE Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix championship has become a grooming ground for several aspiring MotoGP riders.
Since the introduction of the Novice category, catering for the Under-19 age group, in 2006, there has been a steady increase in the number of juniors in the championship.
The organisers – Safe Aim Mutual – have also initiated the Wira epg category for the Under-17 age group since 2008.
Speedy moves: Hafizh in action in the Novice category. Safe Aim Mutual promotions director Ron Hogg said their vision was to see a Malaysian making an impact in the MotoGP.
“It may not be so soon but maybe in the next five years. Looking at the progress shown by the young riders, we are on the right track to realising our ambitious vision,” Hogg said recently.
Among the promising riders are Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah, Md Zulfahmi Khairuddin, Zuliskandar Amanah, Elly Idzlianizar Ilias, Md Farid Ahmad and S. Sasitharan.
Hafizh Syahrin is only 15 and represents Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Raceline in the Novice category.
He is currently leading the standings with 170 points and is assured of the overall championship. Md Azhar Abd Jalil, who is the leader in the Wira epg category with 123 points, is 16 years old.
Big smile: Hafizh Syahrin celebrates after winning in Pekan. Hogg said the promising riders had the right attitude and if they continued their participation in the championship sincerely with commitment, then they would be able to earn their stripes.
“Most of these riders have supportive parents. This was sometimes missing about 15 years ago. Then, many of the riders were taking part in the races without their parents’ knowledge.
“But the situation has changed now. We can see these riders being accompanied by their parents as well as siblings,” Hogg said.
The Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix championship has grown since it was launched in 1994. Then there were five rounds with only a limited number of teams.
But since 2006, the championship was increased to 10 rounds. For three years, 2006-2008, a round was held in East Malaysia - either in Sabah or Sarawak but it was too costly.
Ready to ride: Some of the participants in the Cub Prix. This year, the championship was limited to Peninsular Malaysia only.
The venues were Alor Star, Kluang, Kuala Terengganu, Malacca, Sepang, Batu Kawan, Pekan and Kangar which will host the next leg on Oct 10-11.
The last leg will be in Sepang on Dec 5-6.
Besides the Novice and Wira epg categories, the Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix championship also has the Expert category. About 400 riders are involved in the championship.
The Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship
Overall Standings (top three)
Expert: Md Zamri Baba
116 points; 2. Ahmad Fazli Sham 101 points; 3. Ahmad Fuad Baharuddin 89 points
Novice: Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah 170 points; 2. Md Hafieenaz
Md Ali 102 points; 3. Ahmad Abd Kadir 91 points
Wira epg: Md Azhar Abd Jalil 123 points; 2. Md Adib Rosley 115 points; Abd Haffiz Rashid 113 points.
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