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Thursday May 14, 2009

Hunt on for a local to take part in Sepang GP

PETALING JAYA: After an absence of seven years, there will be a local rider back in action in the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in Sepang from Oct 23-25.

Driven by frustration and a patriotic dream to put Malaysians back on the GP grid, the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) are joining hands with their partners in motorsports — Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), Two Wheels Motor Racing (TWMR), Moto Millia and Hong Leong Yamaha — to embark on a special programme to identifying two riders for the 125cc event in the penultimate round of the world motorcycle championships.

A great time: Former 250cc world championship rider Shahrol Yuzy (on the bike) sharing his experiences with the participants of the Malaysian Wildcard Programme after the launch at TV3 Sri Pentas building yesterday.

Under the ‘Malaysian Wildcard Programme 2009’, the group had selected 15 riders from the current national Cub Prix Championship and another two from the Malaysian Super Series Bikerz Mag 150cc Cup.

The 17 riders will undergo a three-day trial from today on Yamaha 125cc machines at the Sepang circuit.

The top four riders will be selected on June 1 and they will undergo a two-month comprehensive training programme under top former Malaysian riders Shahrol Yuzy and Kuan Meng Heng.

Two riders would be selected for the final pick to be recommended to Dorna — the MotoGP rights holders — as the wildcard entry for the Malaysian GP.

The SIC chief executive officer, Razlan Razali, said at the launch yesterday that the two riders would be sent to Europe for further training on attachment with a leading GP team.

“They would be registered for competition at one of the rounds of the Italian championships and will race on Aprilia 125cc bikes,” said Razlan.

“This is a new start for us to get Malaysian riders back in the GP. Hopefully, they will do well and encourage more local companies to come forward to support Malaysian riders aspiring to compete in the GP.

“We share the same frustration in the fact that there had been no Malaysian rider in the Malaysian GP since the retirement of Shahrol.

“It is even more frustating that Thailand and Indonesia, who are not GP hosts, have riders doing the full championships.

“We know that Malaysian riders can make it at the international level if they are given the opportunity. We have been discussing all these while but there had been no action. I think it’s time to turn the dream into reality.”

Yesterday’s function also saw the announcement of TV9 as the official host broadcaster for the Malaysian GP.

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