Tuesday October 13, 2009
Elly has to skip Zhuhai for the ‘race of a lifetime’
SEPANG: Elly Idzlianizar Ilias is all excited over getting to make his first appearance in the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
But at the same time, he is reluctant to let go of competition in Round 5 of the Petronas Asia Road Racing Championships (ARRC) in Zhuhai this weekend.
The Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Ah Hong rider has to give up the ARRC round because it clashes with the fitness training schedule for the GP next weekend.
“MotoGP is just around the corner and we have intensive training for the next two weeks,” he said.
“I wish I could still go to Zhuhai to race but you can’t have everything in life. Sacrifices have to be made and I have a bigger mission to accomplish here.”
However, Elly felt that it will be a worthwhile sacrifice because featuring in the 125cc class of the world GP would be a once in a lifetime opportunity for him.
“I am already 25 and I am no longer qualified to race in the 125cc category next year. The age bracket is between 16 and 25 for non-contract riders,” he said.
Skipping one round of the ARRC is no major loss for Elly as he is only 18th in the current standings of the Underbone 115cc championships on 24 points.
He has a very slim chance to win the title as Mohd Affendi Rosli (Suzuki Harian Metro SCK Racing) top the standings on 99 points followed by Mohd Iskandar Raduan (Petronas Sprinta Raceline, 88 points) and Fitriansyah Kete (U Mild U Bikers Indonesia Racing, 78 points).
“Things have not been going too smoothly for me in the ARRC. My best achievement thus far was a third place in Race 2 of the first round in Sepang. It has been a rollercoaster ride for me after that,” said Elly.
“But I am looking at it positively and I see something good out of it from my 18th place in the standings.
“I can give 110% attention and dedicate my entire heart and mind to the MotoGP.”
He has an autobiography written about his racing career, titled Evolusi Elly.
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