Malaysian top rider Ahmad Fuad Baharuddin showed his class when he topped qualifying at the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSC) at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) today, upstaging his more celebrated rivals – including former Australian Superbike Champion Cameron Donald and former Malaysian Moto 2 rider Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi.
Riding for Team Project X, Ahmad Fuad Baharuddin, a three time 600cc Supersport champion, clocked 2:12.622 for his best lap time around the 5,443-metre track for pole position in Saturday’s opening race in the superbike championship.
Saturday will feature two races for Round 3 with Sunday featuring another 2 races for Round 4, and Ahmad Fuad has declared he is ready for the challenge.
A three-time Malaysian Cub Prix champion who is competing for the fun of racing in the MSC, Fuad hopes that his bike will be trouble-free this weekend. With Donald and defending champion Zaqhwan in the field, competition is expected to be fierce with a total of 100 points up for grabs in a two-round weekend.
In the Superstock championship, championship leader Steve Martin was upstaged by his closest rival, Ahmad Nashrul Baharuddin. The 2013 champion clocked 2:14.373 for his best lap time around the 5,443-metre track to secure pole position for Saturday’s opening race.
Martin, who won all the races so far, was second on the timesheet with a time of 2:15.002. The duo will be joined on the front row by Malaysia’s motocross king, Muhammad Al-Amirul Ashshahid, who recorded 2:16.313 for his fastest lap.
The MGP Moto 3 class had its first run of the season with Muhammad Adam Norrodin besting his rivals. Adam, who scored a sensational second place at the recent Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup race in Sepang, clocked 2:22.432 for pole position for Saturday’s opening race.
In the open 250 championship, leader Siti Norafizah Muhamad had to be contented with the second best lap time as she was upstaged by rival Azroy Hakeem Anuar.
The MSC today saw the attendance of bikers from various groups from all over the country. Led by Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the bikers toured the circuit and made an honorary lap around the track.
The convoy, which included key officials from the state police, are in town to support the ASEAN Rides Festival in Putrajaya this weekend where SIC is participating to promote the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix 2015.
PIRELLI MALAYSIA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
QUALIFYING RESULTS
SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Ahmad Fuad Baharuddin (Team Project X) 2:12.622
2. Cameron Donald (SBR Racing team) 2:12.833
3. Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi (RND Plus Racing Team) 2.12.905
4. Colin Butler, 2:13.161
5. Steve Martin (SBK Motorsports Martin Racing) 2:13.265
SUPERSTOCK CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Ahmad Nashrul Baharuddin (Team Project X) 2:14.373
2. Steve Martin (SBK Martin Racing Team) 2:14.564
3. Mohd Al-Amirul Ashshahid, 2:16.313
4. Mohd Radzi Omar (RND Plus Racing Team) 2:16.587
5. Nasarudin Mat Yusop, 2:16.913
SUPERSPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Hazlanshah Mohd Nor (BikeART Racing Kawasaki) 2:14.572
2. Ahmad Afif Amran (Petronas Hong Leong Yamaha) 2:15.002
3. Muhammad Muzakkir Mohamed (BikeART Racing Kawasaki) 2:15.242
4. Muhammad Farid Badrul Hisam (BikeART Racing Kawasaki) 2:15.379
5. Muhamad Fitri Ashraf (Petronas Hong Leong Yamaha) 2:17.031
PRODUCTION 250/MGP3
1. Muhammad Adam Norrodin (MGP), 2:22.432
2. Muhammad Helmi Azman (MGP3), 2:24.385
3. Luth Harith Erwan (MGP3) 2:28.963
4. Azroy Hakeem Anuar (250 Open) 2:37.419
5. Siti Norafizah Muhamad (250 Open) 2:39.699
