Thursday October 18, 2012
Hafizh confident of better showing with new bike
KUALA LUMPUR: Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah looked out of sorts in his debut ride in the Malaysian Motorycle Grand Prix at Sepang last year.
But things will be different this time.
With a faster bike, more big race experience and better preparation, the 18-year-old promises to deliver the cheers for Malaysia at this weekend’s race.
Hafizh will ride in the Moto2 on wild card slot for the second time and he has set his sights on bettering the 22nd placing he earned on a Moriwaki bike last year.
Hafizh, who is currently competing in the CEV Buckler Spanish Championships, will be riding the same FTR bike he uses in the Spanish races for the Sepang race.
Hafizh is also getting the services of the same Spanish championship backroom staff.
“It will definitely give me some advantage as they managed to put the bike in prime condition before every race in Spain, so I’m expecting a better run this year.
“I did three days of testing in Sepang and I’m confident of getting good results here. For me, a top 15 finish is achievable and great as this is our Malaysian GP race,” said Hafizh at the unveiling of the team bike at KLCC yesterday.
If Hafizh makes the top 15 bracket to secure a points finish, it will be an achievement alongside AirAsia-SIC-Ajo team rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin.
Expectations are high on Zulfahmi to finish strongly in the Malaysian Grand Prix this year as he has been challenging consistently for the top 10 in the races so far this season – and this is something not lost on Hafizh.
“Zulfahmi is also the reason why many people are going to be at the circuit this weekend and it will be great if both of us get points finish, which I think has never happened,” said Hafizh, who has been making great strides in his career this year.
Having risen up the ranks from the Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship and the Petronas Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC), Hafizh moved to Spain to become the first Malaysian to race full time in the CEV Buckler Spanish Championships.
He has chalked up five top-five finishes out of six races and is sixth in the standings with one round to go.
Hafizh is delighted to be competing in front of the home crowd.
“I am delighted to be back and I have to say a big thank you to Petronas for having the confidence in my abilities and for their incredible support,” he said.