Zulfahmi now aims for top 10 finish in Moto3

PETALING JAYA: It may come off as a bit brash and pretentious but Malay sia’s Moto3 rider Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin is definitely aiming for a top-10 finish in his third full season as a rider.

After finishing in the top-10 in two official testings in Valencia (Feb 8-10) and Jerez (Feb 16-18) recently, he feels that he has set a realistic target. Zulfahmi, who will continue to ride for AirAsia-SIC-Ajo this season, will be astride factory KTM bikes. In both tests recently, Zulfahmi went as high as sixth fastest among 33 riders.

This guy is good: Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek giving the thumbs-up to Zulfahmi Khairuddin during the launch of the AirAsia-SIC-Ajo team yesterday. — Bernama

“Looking at the test results, it is possible for me to finish in the top 10 this season. We have a good bike this year and I am better prepared. We will just have to wait for the opening race in Qatar (April 8),” said Zulfahmi, who finished 18th overall last season in the now defunct 125cc championship. The Moto3 bikes run on four-stroke 250cc engines to replace the two-stroke 125cc machines used previously.

Zulfahmi’s best result last season was seventh placing in front of the home crowd in the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang in October. In his full season debut in 2010, he finished in 24th spot. Zulfahmi’s quest for a top 10 finish received a shot in the arm when the Ministry of Youth and Sports presented him with a RM96,000 boost.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said he is confident Zulfahmi can achieve his target. “Zulfahmi has been improving every year since he came into the picture as a wildcard rider in 2009 and, with better support, I’m sure he can make us proud,” said Shabery.

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali said the support from the ministry is a much welcomed one “as they (the ministry) has been a strong supporter of the cause to put a Malaysian in the premier MotoGP class”. “The amount they have pledged shows how confident they are of Zulfahmi and his team. This is a new beginning for us and we hope to scale new heights,” said Razlan. Zulfahmi will go for the final test before the season starts in Jerez from March 19-21.

-thestar online.