Monday February 4, 2013
Amirul gets chance to show off his skills in testing sessions
By LIM TEIK HUAT
Making nation proud: Malaysia’s teenage rider Amirul Hafiq Mohd Azmi. Inset: Amirul (left) has been invited to join compatriot Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin in Europe for testing sessions, which includes two rounds of the official IRTA tests. PETALING JAYA: Malaysian teenager Amirul Hafiq Mohd Azmi’s dream of competing in this year’s Moto3 World Championship may come true this year.
The 16-year-old has been invited to join compatriot Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin in Europe for testing sessions, which includes two rounds of the official IRTA tests.
Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali said Amirul, who has two years experience competing in the prestigious Red Bull Rookies Cup, was invited by Ajo Motorsports team owner Aki Ajo to replace his injured son – Nicolas Ajo – in the testing sessions.
Amirul will ride Nicolas’ KTM Moto3 machine in the sessions and Aki will later evaluate whether it is possible for him to participate in the world championship this year.
“We are proud to announce that we will be sending Amirul to join Zulfahmi to participate in the first Moto3 tests in Almeria and Valencia in Spain.
“The first test next week in Almeria is unofficial but Valencia is the first official IRTA test that is scheduled from Feb 12-14.
“This is a golden opportunity for Amirul to prove himself. He now has a chance of a lifetime to participate in the world championship,” said Razlan.
Zulfahmi is the only Malaysian competing in the world championship. He will be riding for reigning world champions Red Bull KTM Ajo when the season starts in April.
Amirul created history in 2011 when he became the first Malaysian rider to be selected for the Red Bull Rookies Cup. He finished the season 18th overall with 44 points.
He was retained for a second year in 2012 where he improved his performance by finishing 16th overall with 63 points.
Razlan also said the SIC would be sending two other riders – Muhammad Ammar Hafiq and Husni Aizat Abdul Malek - to Spain for a separate development and test programme.
“We are still in the process of scheduling private tests for both Ammar and Husni in Spain. The first step is for both riders to test the KTM Moto3 bikes for the Spanish CEV Championship and they will be evaluated by Aki.
“Only one rider will be chosen to participate in the Spanish CEV Championship this year with at least one or two MotoGP wildcard (for the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in October),” added Razlan.
Ammar and Husni were the top finishers in the junior category of the 2012 SIC Ninja 250 Cup – a new programme introduced by SIC and their partners to unearth new talents and develop them to become world class riders.
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