Future Malaysian, Asian stars in action at MSS Bikes this weekend

SEPANG, 17 September 2014 (Wednesday) – Malaysia’s future motorcycle racers will be in action during the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup races to be held during the Malaysian Super Series Bikes Round 3 & 4 at the Sepang International Circuit this weekend.

Featuring some of the best young talents, not just from Malaysia but also from around Asia, these riders will battle for championship points over two rounds – Race 5 and Race 6 – this weekend. Of the 22 participants in the Asia Talent Cup this year, seven of them are from Malaysia including two who are only 14-years-old.

The seven rising stars are Shafiq Rasol (18-years), Shafiq Ezzariq (15-years), Fakhrusy Rostam (18-years), Nazrul Bahauddin (14-years), Ibrahim Norrodin (14-years), Adam Norrodin (16-years) and Helmi Azman (15-years). Besides the Malaysians, the other riders are from Japan, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

This weekend’s races are crucial for these riders, especially the Malaysians, as this will their chance to get a final feel of the Sepang International Circuit before the return to compete as a support race during the much-awaited Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix from Oct 24-26.

Adam, the highest ranked Malaysian at seventh spot in the championship, explained that it was important for the riders to make the best of the time they have in Sepang to prepare for the Malaysian Grand Prix where the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup will run as a support race.

“As riders representing Malaysia, we want to make sure we deliver good results here at home next month. Having said this, we must use this weekend to sort out any issues we may have. After this weekend, we will travel to Japan for one more race before returning to Malaysia in October,” said Adam. 

For the record, Japan’s Yuta Date, who won races in Qatar and Zhuhai, leads the championship after four rounds with 86 points. Adam, who has been in the points in all four previous races and whose best finish was a fifth placing in Zhuhai, has amassed 29 points so far.  “I want to improve my ranking and get closer to the top riders,” Adam said. “With five more rounds to go, we need to make our move this weekend.” 

Sepang International Circuit CEO, Datuk Razlan Razali commented that the Asia Talent Cup was an important development programme. “Riders receive the all the necessary training they require to develop. Seven of our boys are in the programme and they benefit immensely from being in it. Local fans should come down to Sepang this weekend and see these youngsters in action. 

“With the Asia Talent Cup as a support race, along with SIC Ninja Cup, Superbike, Supersport and all the other exciting events lined up in the MSS Bikes, fans can expect an action-packed weekend of motorcycle racing.”  

There are 22 thrilling races on the cards this Saturday and Sunday. They include the Superstock, Open 250 Cup, Superbike, SIC Ninja Cup, Supersport, Superstock, SIC Ninja Cup and Talent Cup Asia events. The qualifying sessions will be on Friday.

MSS – BIKES ROUND 3 & 4 RACE PROGRAMME

FRIDAY (19th September 2014) 

0800 hrs – 0930 hrs  Bikes Registration & Scrutineering 
1000 hrs                  Riders Briefing 
1030 hrs – 1100 hrs  Shell Advance ATC Practice Session 1 
1110 hrs – 1130 hrs  Superstock Practice Session 
1140 hrs – 1200 hrs  Open 250 Cup Practice Session 
1210 hrs – 1230 hrs  Superbike Practice Session 
1240 hrs – 1300 hrs  SIC Ninja 250 Cup Practice Session 
1430 hrs – 1450 hrs  Supersport Practice Session 
1500 hrs – 1530 hrs  Superstock Qualifying 
1540 hrs – 1600 hrs  Shell Advance ATC Practice Session 2 
1610 hrs – 1630 hrs  Open 250 Cup Qualifying 
1640 hrs – 1700 hrs  Superbike Qualifying 
1710 hrs – 1730 hrs  SIC Ninja 250 Cup Qualifying 
1740 hrs – 1800 hrs  Supersport Qualifying 

SATURDAY (20th September 2014) 

0930 hrs – 1000 hrs  Superstock Race 1 (10 laps) 
1015 hrs – 1040 hrs  Shell Advance ATC Qualifying 
1100 hrs – 1130 hrs  Open 250 Cup Race 1 (8 laps) 
1145 hrs – 1215 hrs  Superbike Race 1 (10 laps) 
1230 hrs – 1300 hrs  SIC Ninja 250 Cup Race 1 (8 laps) 
1315 hrs – 1345 hrs  Supersport Race 1 (10 laps) 
1400 hrs – 1430 hrs  Superstock Race 2 (10 laps) 
1445 hrs – 1515 hrs  Shell Advance ATC Race 1 (12 laps) 
1530 hrs – 1600 hrs  Open 250 Cup Race 2 (8 laps) 
1615 hrs – 1645 hrs  Superbike Race 2 (10 laps) 
1700 hrs – 1730 hrs  SIC Ninja 250 Cup Race 2 (8 laps) 
1745 hrs – 1815 hrs  Supersport Race 2 (10 laps) 

SUNDAY (21st September 2014) 

0930 hrs – 1000 hrs  Superstock Race 3 (10 laps) 
1015 hrs – 1045 hrs  Open 250 Cup Race 3 (8 laps) 
1100 hrs – 1130 hrs  Superbike Race 3 (10 laps) 
1145 hrs – 1215 hrs  SIC Ninja 250 Cup Race 3 (8 laps) 
1230 hrs – 1300 hrs  Supersport Race 3 (10 laps) 
1315 hrs – 1345 hrs  Shell Advance ATC Race 2 (12 laps) 
1400 hrs – 1430 hrs  Superstock Race 4 (10 laps) 
1445 hrs – 1515 hrs  Open 250 Cup Race 4 (8 laps) 
1530 hrs – 1600 hrs  Superbike Race 4 (10 laps) 
1615 hrs – 1645 hrs  SIC Ninja 250 Cup Race 4 (8 laps) 
1700 hrs – 1730 hrs  Supersport Race 4 (10 laps)
-www.sepangcircuit.com