Malaysiaâs Moto3 rider Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin, who narrowly missed the top spot in Sepang two years ago, has pledged to conjure something magical at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix this weekend.
âI hope to do create some magic in Sepang,â said Zulfahmi, who has called out to Malaysian fans to pack the stands this weekend to support him and the other Malaysian riders in action.
âI am happy to be back in Malaysia and I will do my very best this weekend,â he said at a media conference held in conjunction of the MotoGP Demo Run, which was jointly organized by SIC and DRIVE Energy Drink to promote the 24th edition of the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Held at Putrajaya this morning, the Demo run was led by MotoGP ace and former champion Nicky Hayden of DRIVE MT Aspar Racing Team. Hayden was joined by Zulfahmi and compatriots Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, Amirul Hafiq Azmi and Muhammad Hafiza Rofa, who will be competing as a wildcard rider in Moto3 this weekend.
There was a sizeable crowd which gathered to witness the five riders in action despite the hot weather conditions. Hayden and all the riders later took picture and signed autographed for the fans.
Met later after the press conference, Zulfahmi, who is the only Malaysian rider to score a podium win in history of the world championship, gave a thumbs-up sign before saying âwe will have to wait and seeâ.
Producing results below expectations this season and collecting a total haul of 19 points after 16 rounds, Zulfahmi, who switched to a Honda machine after two years on a KTM, is keen for a good result in Sepang.
Equally delighted to be competing in Sepang isAmirulHafiqwho said that he would be trying his best to finish in the Top 15 and score championship points. Finishing twice in 16th spot this season at the Grand Prix of Argentina and France, the SIC AJO Team rider, however, admitted it would be tough as the Moto3 grid is very strong with riders far more experience than him.
âThis has been a good learning season for me. I have leant a lot and improved my riding skills. Moto3, however, is very difficult race and they are very good riders. But, I aim to do well in the remaining two races of this season,â he added.
In his comments, Muhammad Hafiza, who is in his rookie season in the CEV Spanish Championship, said he is looking forward to a new challenge competing in Moto3.âI have gained much experience in the Spanish Championship. Everything there is very different and I took time to adjust to the new conditions. It was my first time competing in Europe and it was very challenging. I hope to gain as much experience as possible this weekend and hopefully, get a good result as well,â he said.
Joining the riders at the media conference were Malaysiaâs representatives in the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup – Nazirul Izzat Muhammad Bahauddin, Muhammad Shafiq Rasol, Muhamad Adam Mohd Norrodin, Muhammad Ibrahim Norrodin, Muhammad Helmi Azman, Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam and Mohammad Shafiq Ezzariq.
