Sports

Tuesday October 13, 2009

Elly and Zulfahmi given wildcards for Malaysian GP

By LIM TEIK HUAT

SEPANG: Malaysia have surprisingly been given two wildcard entries instead of one for the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix here next weekend.

And a seven-year wait for a Malaysian to race in the premier world motorcycle championships will end with Elly Idzlianizar Ilias and Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin in the fray for the 125cc class.

It was announced yesterday that the duo would ride under the banner of AirAsia Malaysia 125cc MotoGP team.

The 25-year-old Elly, who is the designated first rider, will be astride an Aprilia race bike prepared by Italy-based outfit Ongetta ISPA. His appointment as the first rider was made after careful consideration by the parties involved in the programme, including Ongetta ISPA.

The 18-year-old Zulfahmi will be on a Yamaha previously used by Indonesian Doni Tata Pradita when he competed in the world championships last year.

The last Malaysian to ride on the world stage was Shahrol Yuzy for the now defunct Team Petronas Sprinta TVK in the 250cc class in 2002.

And after going through a pool of 17 riders in May before the candidates were trimmed to four and then two, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Razlan Razali said that the decision to retain both Elly and Zulfahmi was made at the final moments of the programme.

The two riders went through intensive track preparations under Shahrol and also underwent a physical training programme with Roman Engel.

“Both riders showed great dedication in the programme and it would be a waste to let their passion die along with their hopes to race in MotoGP,” said Razlan.

“All these years, wildcard entries for our own GP have been taken up by Thai or Indonesian riders. It’s exciting to see the realisation of a dream to have not one but two of our own racing under the Malaysian flag.”

The Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) chief executive officer, Mia Sharizman Ismail, said that both riders had the same preparation done for them but there was only one bike.

“We needed a bike for a second rider to race in the GP and found out that with a few upgrades, the Yamaha bikes the boys have been using can be made competitive enough,” he said.

“We are talking about developing riders for the world championships and by giving a chance to an 18-year-old with only two years of racing experience, we hope to put the message across.”

Zulfahmi, who has yet to win a local race, said that he least expected to get the chance to ride on the world stage.

“I had expected Elly, who is far more experienced than me, to be given the wildcard,” said Zulfahmi, who hails from Banting.

“It is really unexpected when they informed that I will get to race as well. I will give my full commitment to make sure that I do not disappoint anyone.”

Elly, who is from Perlis, said that he was honoured to be given a wildcard ride and hopes to live up to expectation.

“It is exciting to be racing in the world championships and in our own GP,” said Elly, who made his debut in the expert category of the Malaysian Cub Prix championships this year.

“But the responsibility is heavy as well and I hope I can come out good.”

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