SEPANG – Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi emerged victorious in the final round of the Malaysian Super Series (MSS) as he clinched the Superbike overall title at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) today.
The 19-year-old rider from Impulse Team by DDM finished Race 2 today on top spot in 13:23.036. Mohd Zamri Baba of R&D Plus Racing finished second in 13:23.519 while Mohd Syahnas Shahidan in third in 13:24.523.
The race today was crucial for both Mohd Zaqhwan and Mohd Syahnas, as both were tied on 146 points after the conclusion of Race 1 on Saturday, which Mohd Zamri won. Mohd Zaqhwan finished second in that race while Mohd Syahnas crashed out.
With today’s results, Mohd Zaqhwan secured the title on 171 points. Mohd Syahnas had to settle for second spot on 162 points, while Steve Martin of SBK Motorsports Martin Racing in third on 149 points.
“I’m really happy with the win today and equally excited to get the overall title as well,” said Mohd Zaqhwan.
“I knew it was going to be hard with Syahnas also fighting for the title. But I was in a great fight for the top spot in the race today with Zamri and that gave me some advantage over Syahnas.”
“I missed a round of the championship in June and I thought the title was already lost. But when I grabbed several podium finishes following that, I realised that was still hope.”
In the Supersport class, BikeART Kawasaki rider Mohd Farid Badrul Hisham secured the title despite losing Race Two to team-mate Hazlanshah Mohd Noor. Hazlanshah finished the 10-lap race in 22:31.090 while Mohd Farid in 22:37.083 in second place. Ahmad Afif Amran (Petronas Hong Leong Yamaha) finished in third place in 22:37.532.
Mohd Farid extended his lead at the top on Saturday when he won Race 1 ahead of Hazlanshah and Ahmad Afif Amran.
After today’s race, Mohd Farid won the overall title on 226 points while Hazlanshah in second on 188 points. Ahmad Afif settled for third spot on 138 points.
“I have been waiting for this moment all year because winning the MSS Supersport title is my big objective this year,” said the 21-year-old Mohd Farid who hails from Kajang.
“I knew I had the advantage in the overall standings ahead of Hazlanshah, but I really wanted a win today. But winning the overall title is more important so I just kept it cool.”
In the Superstock category, Steve Martin of SBK Motorsports Martin Racing lifted the overall title without even having to race today. He collected an unassailable lead of 190 points ahead of Nils Uchida Zakariassen of Chia PJ Kawasaki who was second on 164 points. Taking third place was Nizam Fairuz Hassan of Team Motovation Raptor Worx who won the race today, on 124 points.
“I knew I had it in the bag so I decided to sit out from the race. Plus, my bike was making some strange noises so I decided not to risk it,” said Martin.
Superbike
Race 1
1. Mohd Zamri Baba (Honda) 22:20.041
2. Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi (Honda) 22:21.013
3. Steve Martin (Kawasaki) 22:36.863
Race 2
1. Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi (Honda) 13:23.036
2. Mohd Zamri Baba (Honda) 13:23.519
3. Mohd Syahnas Shahidan 13:24.523
Final standings
1. Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi (Honda) 171 pts
2. Mohd Syahnas Shahidan (BMW) 162
3. Steve Martin (Kawasaki) 149
4. Mohd Zamri Baba (Honda) 145
5. Luca Cassoni (BMW) 109
Supersport
Race 1
1. Mohd Farid Badrul Hisham (Kawasaki) 22:37.098
2. Hazlanshah Mohd Noor (Kawasaki) 22:40.942
3. Ahmad Afif Amran (Yamaha) 22:43.495
Race 2
1. Hazlanshah Mohd Noor (Kawasaki) 22:31.090
2. Mohd Farid Badrul Hisham (Kawasaki) 22:37.083
3. Ahmad Afif Amran (Yamaha) 22:37.532
Final standings
1. Mohd Farid Badrul Hisham (Kawasaki) 226 pts
2. Hazlanshah Mohd Noor (Kawasaki) 188
3. Ahmad Afif Amran (Yamaha) 138
4. Mohd Emir Firdaus (Kawasaki) 129
5. Khurana Dhinaraj Tan (Honda) 121
Superstock
1. Nizam Fairuz Hassan (Honda) 25:30.459
2. Nils Uchida Zakariassen (Kawasaki) 25:44.467
3. Mohd Azrul Shah Talip 25:52.240
Final standings
1. Steve Martin (Kawasaki) 190 pts
2. Nils Uchida Zakariassen (Kawasaki) 164
3. Nizam Fairuz Hassan (Honda) 144
MGP3
Race 1
1. Khairu lIdham Pawi (Honda) 18:52.927
2. Kaito Sekino (Honda) 19:01.942
3. Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam (Honda) 19:25.395
Race 2
1. Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam (Honda) 19:03.458
2. Khairu lIdham Pawi (Honda) 19:03.674
3. Kaito Sekino (Honda) 19:07.484
Race 3
1. Khairu lIdham Pawi (Honda) 18:44.983
2. Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam (Honda) 18.51.215
3. Kaito Sekino (Honda) 18:51.788
Race 4
1. Kaito Sekino (Honda) 18:43.938
2. Kaito Sekino (Honda) 18:51.146
3. Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam (Honda) 18:51.359
Race 5
1. Khairu lIdham Pawi (Honda) 18:43.424
2. Kaito Sekino (Honda) 18:57.234
3. Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam (Honda) 18:59.611
Race 6
1. Khairu lIdham Pawi (Honda) 21:19.876
2. Kaito Sekino (Honda) 21:42.654
3. Mohd Ibrahim Norrodin (Honda) 21:47.647
Final standings
1. Mohd Helmi Azman (Honda) 164 pts
2. Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam (Honda) 145
3. Khairu lIdham Pawi (Honda) 145
SIC Ninja 250 Cup
Race 1
1. Mohd Aziq Jumali 22:06.577
2. Mohd Fairuz Nasir 22:06.624
3. Ahmad Idham Khairuddin 22:07.156
Race 2
1. Ahmad Idham Khairuddin 22:06.608
2. Mohd Fairuz Nasir 22:06.802
3. Noor Edrin Ezurin Noor Asmara 22:09.129
Race 3
1. TengkuSyahmi Tuan Yusoff 13:57.952
2. Saiful Izman A. Zamani 13:58.096
3. Mohd Aziq Jumali 13:59.445
Race 4
1. Mohd Fairuz Nasir 19:21.941
2. Mohd Aziq Jumali 19:22.223
3. MohdZulhilmiYazid 19:22.374
Final standings
1. Mohd Fairuz Nasir 185 pts
2. SMohd Aziq Jumali 123
3. SuhaizarulSuhaizat 118.
