Mohd Fitri Ashraff Razali berjaya meraih kemenangan pertama musim 2015 setelah muncul juara perlumbaan CP130 pada Pusingan 8 Kejuaraan Cub Prix AAM Malaysia PETRONAS yang berlangsung di Litar Taman Ekspo Pertanian Malaysia Serdang (MAEPS), Serdang, Selangor, hari ini.
Pelumba PETRONAS Yamaha-CKJ yang bermula dari petak ke-11 itu menamatkan 18 pusingan perlumbaan dengan masa 14’50.469s mengatasi duo Harian Metro Y-TEQ SCK Honda Racing, Mohd Hafiz Nor Azman dan Mohd Rozaiman Said yang meraih podium pertama dalam kelas CP130, masing-masing dengan masa 14’50.931s dan 14’54.799s.
Sementara itu, Mohd Adib Rosley yang muncul pelumba pertama melintasi garisan penamat bagaimanapun jatuh ke tempat kesembilan setelah dikenakan penalti 30 saat kerana kesalahan memintas ketika bendera kuning dikibarkan.
“Saya tidak begitu bersemangat untuk memulakan perlumbaan akhir hari ini kerana kecewa dengan aksi pad sesi ujian masa semalam. Saya terjatuh dan gagal mendapatkan masa terbaik untuk layak ke Superpole malah jentera saya juga mengalami kerosakan dan tidak sempat untuk disiapkan lebih awal,” jelas Fitri mengulas tentang kemenangannya.
“Namun, saya kuatkan semangat dan ketika berada di atas jentera, saya cuba menenangkan fikiran saya dan tidak terburu-buru untuk ke hadapan selain turut memerhatikan laluan yang baik di litar. Selepas pusingan ketiga barulah saya mula memecut lebih laju dan memintas seorang demi seorang pelumba sehinggalah berada di kelompok tiga pelumba hadapan dan seterusnya berjaya melintasi garisan penamat sedikit ketinggalan di belakang Adib sebelum mendapat tahu dia kemudiannya dikenakan penalti,” jelas Fitri.
Mengulas tentang kemenangan pertama musim ini setelah beralih ke jentera Yamaha, Fitri berkata, “Aksi saya pada peringkat awal musim tidak begitu baik. Adakalanya terjatuh dan adakalanya mengalami masalah jentera sehinggalah pusingan lepas di Teluk Intan. Saya berada pada tahap terbaik ketika itu dan berjaya meraih petak mula di kedudukan pertama. Namun, memang sudah ditakdirkan bukan rezeki saya lagi untuk meraih podium kerana perlumbaan akhir pula terpaksa dibatalkan akibat masalah cuaca.
“Saya hadiahkan kemenangan saya kepada pasukan, penyokong dan juga istimewa buat penaja, PETRONAS kerana perlumbaan hari ini turut dihadiri ramai pengurusan tertinggi PETRONAS. Saya gembira dapat menghadiahkan kejayaan kepada mereka.”
Dalam pada itu, Ahmad Fazrul Sham (Yamalube AHM) yang tamat di kedudukan kelapan terus kekal mendahului senarai pelumba dengan mengumpul 103 mata, 24 mata mengatasi gandingan Abd Muhaimin Roslan (PETRONAS Yamaha Maju Motor) dan rakan sepasukan Muhaimin yang juga abangnya, Ahmad Fazli Sham yang mengumpul 70 mata.
Saingan kelas CP115 menjadi milik Tengku Amirul Haffirudin yang berjaya meraih gelaran juara buat kali ketiga pada musim ini.
Tengku Amirul menamatkan perlumbaan dengan masa 12’16.280s menewaskan pendahulu keseluruhan, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (PETRONAS Yamaha Maju Motor) di tempat kedua dengan masa 12’22.486s. Tempat ketiga milik rakan sepasukan Tengku Amirul, Mohd Izzat Zaidi Salehan dengan masa 12’23.010s
Dalam senarai keseluruhan, Kasma Daniel kekal di tangga teratas dengan mengumpul 140 mata diikuti Tengku Amirul, 111 mata dan Ahmad Syukran Aizat (PETRONAS Yamaha-CKJ) ketiga, 69 mata.
Sekalipun sudah menggenggam gelaran juara keseluruhan kategori Wira, Harith Farhan Baharin (Kozi Yam Honda Racing) meneruskan penguasaan dengan meraih gelaran juara buat kali ketujuh berturut-turut setelah menamatkan perlumbaan dengan masa 10’07.580s.
Tempat kedua milik Mohd Khairul Ikhwan Ajis (Espada William Racing) dengan masa 10’07.630s diikuti Mohd Irfan Rosnizam (FELDA AFB Tech Cardinals Racing) ketiga, 10’19.984s.
Harith di tangga teratas keseluruhan dengan 195 mata diikuti Saiful Izman Ahmad Zamani (FELDA AFB Tech Cardinals Racing), 93 mata dan Khairul Ikhwan ketiga, 90 mata.
Keputusan
CP130
Perlumbaan Akhir
- Md Fitri Ashraff Razali (Yamaha) 14’50.469s 2. Md Hafiz Nor Azman (Honda) 14’50.931s 3. Md Rozaiman Md Said (Honda) 14’54.79ss 4. Md Affendi Rosli (Yamaha) 14’56.195s 5. Md Taufiq Roslan (Yamaha) 14’57.255
Kedudukan Keseluruhan
- Ahmad Fazrul Sham (Yamaha) 103 mata 2. Abdul Muhaimin Roslan (Yamaha) 79 mata 3. Ahmad Fazli Sham (Yamaha) 70 mata 4. Md Affendi Rosli (Yamaha) 64 mata 5. Md Zamri Baba (Honda) 64 mata.
Anugerah Berpasukan
- PETRONAS Yamaha Maju Motor 177 mata 2. PETRONAS Yamaha CKJ 166 mata 3. Harian Metro YTEQ SCK Honda Racing 153 mata 4. Yamalube AHM 150 mata 5. Motul Yamaha YY Pang 105 mata
CP115
Perlumbaan Akhir
- Tengku Amirul Haffirudin (Yamaha) 12’16.280s 2. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (Yamaha) 12’22.486s 3. Md Izzat Zaidi (Yamaha) 12’23.010s 4. Azroy Hakeem Anuar (Honda) 12’23.260s 5. Md Fareez Afeez (Yamaha) 12’25.532s
Kedudukan Keseluruhan
- Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (Yamaha) 140 mata 2. Tengku Amirul Haffirudin (Yamaha) 111 mata 3. Ahmad Syukran Aizat (Yamaha) 69 mata 4. Md Fareez Afeez (Yamaha) 64 mata 5. Md Emir Firdaus Razak (Yamaha) 62 mata
Anugerah Berpasukan
- Motul Yamaha YY Pang 172 mata 2. PETRONAS Yamaha Maju Motor 167 mata 3. PETRONAS Yamaha CKJ 113 mata 4. FELDA PB Racing A 113 mata 5. M Seki Liberty Honda 65 mata
WIRA
Perlumbaan Akhir
- Md Harith Farhan Baharin (Honda) 10’07.580s 2. Md Khairul Ikhwan Ajis (Yamaha) 10’07.630s 3. Md Irfan Rosnizam (Yamaha) 10’19.984s 4. Md Akid Aziz (Yamaha) 10’19.985s 5. Md Syafiq Aiman (Yamaha) 10’20.383
Kedudukan Keseluruhan
- Md Harith Farhan Baharin (Honda) 195 mata 2. Saiful Izman Ahmad Zamani (Yamaha) 93 mata 3. Md. Khairul Ikhwan Ajis (Yamaha) 90 mata 4. Md Irfan Rosnizam (Yamaha) 84 mata 5. Amirul Hakim Md Rizal (Yamaha) 82 mata
Fitri claims dramatic last lap victory at MAEPS Serdang
Md Fitri Ashraff Razali made Round 8 of the PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship a weekend to remember as the PETRONAS Yamaha CKJ rider claimed a victory in what turned out to be a dramatic CP130 race at MAEPS Serdang on Sunday.
Starting from 11th position on the grid, the 21-year old had it all to do as he fought his way through the field before finding himself in the fight for the lead of the race in the latter half of the 18-lap race. Having caught up with the leading pair of Md Adib Rosley (Motul Yamaha YY Pang) and Md Hafiz Nor Azman (Harian Metro YTEQ SCK Honda Racing), Fitri quickly found himself embroiled in an epic battle royale for the lead of the race. Lapping considerably faster than Hafiz, Fitri began pressuring Adib for the lead in the final lap with the pair involved in a sprint to the line for a near photo-finish with Adib finishing just ahead of Fitri.
However, the drama did not end there as Adib was given a 30-second penalty moments after the chequered flag, awarding the race victory to Fitri.
Delighted with his first CP130 race win this season, Fitri comments, “after experiencing a difficult start to the weekend with bike problems and limited track time, I knew I had a lot of ground to make up for in the race. But I had a great start and gained several positions going into the first corner. I spent the first few laps observing the rest of the field and took advantage of every opportunity to overtake those in front of me.”
He adds, “throughout the season so far, I had several opportunities to finish on the podium but it was not to be then. This weekend, I felt really motivated, even after the fall I had in qualifying. I had to refocus and it clearly paid off this weekend. I am looking forward to the next race in Jempol, especially as there is still a lot of play for in terms of the points!”
Coming in second place was Hafiz Nor Azman, ahead of teammate Rozaiman Md Said, both recording their maiden podium finishes this season.
“It was a hard weekend for Honda here, as we struggled to find the best setup even right up to the warm up this morning. The track was clearly better suited to the Yamaha bikes who had the advantage here. But I am delighted with my first podium, although I had several chances earlier in the season. I learned from every round and really want to dedicate this result to Zamri [Baba] who has played a big part in guiding and teaching me early in the season,” comments Hafiz.
Despite finishing in eighth place, Ahmad Fazrul Sham (Yamalube AHM) still leads the championship with 103 points, 24 points clear of Abdul Muhaimin Roslan (PETRONAS Yamaha Maju Motor) in second overall with 79 points.
In the CP115 category, Sunday’s race belonged to Motul Yamaha YY Pang’s Tengku Amirul Haffirudin who romped to a comfortable race victory from pole position commanding the 15-lap race to win ahead of championship leader Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (PETRONAS Yamaha Maju Motor).
After getting the weekend off to a great start dominating the practice sessions and securing pole position after a storming run in the morning shoot out, his form carried through to the race as the pole man successfully fought off the challenge from teammate Md Izzat Zaidi and Kasma Daniel in the opening laps of the race.
With a clear track in front of him, the Motul Yamaha YY Pang rider was able to quickly establish a gap enabling him a comfortable run to the flag. Despite his best efforts, title contender Kasma Daniel had to be content with second place after an epic duel with Izzat in the early part of the race.
With the win, Tengku Amirul adds 25 points to his total points haul trimming the deficit to Kasma Daniel to just 29 points. Finishing in second position, Kasma Daniel still leads the title chase with 140 points with two rounds remaining in the championship.
“It was a tough race especially in the beginning. But I am happy with the work that the team has done as we had found the perfect setup and encountered no issues throughout the weekend,” notes Tengku Amirul.
“Although we still have a 29 point disadvantage to Kasma Daniel, I think we are still in with a chance. There is definitely pressure going into the next race in Jempol considering all the issues that we have been facing this season, so we have a lot of ground to recover, “ adds the race winner.
Championship leader, Kasma Daniel notes, “Congratulations to Tengku Amirul as this was definitely his track. I am still happy that I managed to collect points this weekend and although the gap is 29 points with two rounds remaining, I will definitely still push for the win, although I will not rule out the possibility of playing it smart where I need to.”
Meanwhile it was another weekend of celebration for Kozi Yam Honda Racing’s Harith Farhan Baharin who stormed to near photo-finish victory in the WIRA category en route to recording his seventh win of the season. The newly crowned WIRA champion, who had claimed the title at the previous round in Teluk Intan, did have to put up with some tough competition from Espada William Racing duo of Khairul Ikhwan Ajis and Amirul Hakim Rizal who challenged the champion throughout the entire duration of the 12-lap race.
After an epic duel, the pair eventually settled for the remaining two podium spots with Khairul in taking second place and teammate Amirul in third. However, following a post-race inquiry, an incident involving Amirul and Saiful Izman Ahmad Zamani (FELDA AFB Tech Cardinals Racing) during the race saw Amirul penalised, gifting third place to Irfan Rosnizam (FELDA AFB Tech Cardinals Racing).
Round 9 of the PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship will take place in two weeks time in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan from October 31 to November 1.
Results
CP130
Race
- Md Fitri Ashraff Razali (Yamaha) 14’50.469s 2. Md Hafiz Nor Azman (Honda) 14’50.931s 3. Md Rozaiman Md Said (Honda) 14’54.79ss 4. Md Affendi Rosli (Yamaha) 14’56.195s 5. Md Taufiq Roslan (Yamaha) 14’57.255
Overall Standings
- Ahmad Fazrul Sham (Yamaha) 103 points 2. Abdul Muhaimin Roslan (Yamaha) 79 points 3. Ahmad Fazli Sham (Yamaha) 70 points 4. Md Affendi Rosli (Yamaha) 64 points 5. Md Zamri Baba (Honda) 64 points.
Team Awards
- PETRONAS Yamaha Maju Motor 177 points 2. PETRONAS Yamaha CKJ 166 points 3. Harian Metro YTEQ SCK Honda Racing 153 points 4. Yamalube AHM 150 points 5. Motul Yamaha YY Pang 105 points
CP115
Race
- Tengku Amirul Haffirudin (Yamaha) 12’16.280s 2. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (Yamaha) 12’22.486s 3. Md Izzat Zaidi (Yamaha) 12’23.010s 4. Azroy Hakeem Anuar (Honda) 12’23.260s 5. Md Fareez Afeez (Yamaha) 12’25.532s
Overall Standings
- Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (Yamaha) 140 points 2. Tengku Amirul Haffirudin (Yamaha) 111 points 3. Ahmad Syukran Aizat (Yamaha) 69 points 4. Md Fareez Afeez (Yamaha) 64 points 5. Md Emir Firdaus Razak (Yamaha) 62 points
Team Awards
- Motul Yamaha YY Pang 172 points 2. PETRONAS Yamaha Maju Motor 167 points 3. PETRONAS Yamaha CKJ 113 points 4. FELDA PB Racing A 113 points 5. M Seki Liberty Honda 65 points
WIRA
Race
- Md Harith Farhan Baharin (Honda) 10’07.580s 2. Md Khairul Ikhwan Ajis (Yamaha) 10’07.630s 3. Md Irfan Rosnizam (Yamaha) 10’19.984s 4. Md Akid Aziz (Yamaha) 10’19.985s 5. Md Syafiq Aiman (Yamaha) 10’20.383
Overall Standings
- Md Harith Farhan Baharin (Honda) 195 points 2. Saiful Izman Ahmad Zamani (Yamaha) 93 points 3. Md. Khairul Ikhwan Ajis (Yamaha) 90 points 4. Md Irfan Rosnizam (Yamaha) 84 points 5. Amirul Hakim Md Rizal (Yamaha) 82 points
