The Malaysian Cub Prix Championship, in collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), has launched a pocket bike version of its talent identification and development formula.
Aptly titled Mini Cub Prix KBS, the pilot programme which will take off this month, is aimed at junior riders aged 6 to 12 years old.
The pilot season of the Mini Cub Prix KBS will comprise of four race categories that will compete over five rounds.
The four categories are broken down by age group with the Kidz class making up the youngest of the riders from ages 6 to 9 years old.
Pre-teens from 10 to 11 years old will compete in the Cadet class. There will be an Open class where all riders are free to participate. But the key to the entire system lies in the Junior category which will form the core of the talent development programme.
Following a selection process earlier this year, 14 young riders have been selected to become the pioneer batch in the Mini Cub Prix KBS Junior Category.
Here, they will compete on one-make bikes – 74Daijiro model pocket bikes specially imported from Japan for this purpose.
After five rounds of competition, the top 4 riders will be awarded full sponsorship into the Honda/Yamaha One-Make classes in 2019. Other riders who finish among the top-10, will also be given slots in the 2019 one-make categories but with reduced sponsorships.
Safe Aim Mutual Sdn Bhd Director, Ron Hogg, described the Mini Cub Prix KBS as a platform that will complete the Cub Prix ecosystem for Malaysian riders.
“The Malaysian Cub Prix Championship and the Asia Road Racing Championship have been highly successful in the sense that we have been able to serve the greater good of the motorcycle racing industry in general.
“By providing two professional platforms where Malaysian riders can develop their racing careers, we have helped create a flourishing and exciting motorcycle racing industry in Malaysia. With the launch of the Mini Cub Prix KBS, we add another platform to the ecosystem, thereby refining and systematizing the talent identification process.”
Ron added that the launch of the Mini Cub Prix KBS is particularly meaningful as the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship celebrates its 25th anniversary this season.
“We would like to thank the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia for backing and supporting the Mini Cub Prix KBS. At the same time, we would also like to thank our long-time partners PETRONAS, the motorcycle manufacturers Honda, Modenas and Yamaha, as well as all the Cub Prix teams and riders for their support and cooperation.”
Officiating at the launch, Minister of Youth and Sports Malaysia, YB Tuan Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said that the Mini Cub Prix KBS is in line with the Ministry’s aim of developing the sport of motorcycle racing in Malaysia.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports is fully behind the development of motorsports in the country. You can see our commitment by the fact that KBS support is behind all levels of the sport – from grassroots racing right up to the MotoGP level.”
“In terms of broad policy, the Sports Ministry would like to see more youths benefitting from the various motorsports programmes that are currently in place, as opposed to just a select, elite few. In other words, we hope to cast our nets wider and deeper, giving the opportunity for more Malaysian youngsters to realize their dreams of becoming motorsports professionals.”
2018 MINI CUB PRIX KBS CALENDAR
Round 1
MAEPS, Selangor – September 16, 2018
Round 2
Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu – October 5 to 6, 2018
Round 3
Batu Kawan, Pulau Pinang – October 27 to 28, 2018
Round 4
Jempol, Negeri Sembilan – November 17 to 18, 2018
Round 5
Bandar Penawar, Johor – December 15 to 16, 2018
