CUB PRIX ROUND 2: RACE REPORT

Following a strong performance in the opening round in Batu Kawan earlier this month, the Yamaha contingent enjoyed yet another fruitful outing across the board in the second leg of the 2013 PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship held at Stadium Hang Jebat, Malacca.

CP130

A wrong setup and wet patches on the track did not deter veteran, Ahmad Fuad Baharudin from becoming the first Yamaha representative to successfully score a victory for the 2013 season in the CP130 category.

In a dramatic race, having secured pole and stealing the holeshot at the start of the race, the 34-year old rider could not fend off rival, Mohd Affendi Rosli who stole lead in the second lap.

But Fuad being the calculated rider that he is had a few tricks under his sleeve.

The Faito Yamaha Motobert rather than retaliate instantly instead let Affendi lead while he gets better acquainted with the setup he chose which was initially meant for wet conditions.

Once comfortable and with the track slightly dried up, Fuad reclaimed charge from Affendi in lap 9 at turn 3 and went to lead the pack to the chequered flag, ending the 18-lap race with a total time of 15’19.679s.

Youngster, Mohd Ramdan Rosli did not disappoint either. Despite a slow start, the PETRONAS Syntium Moto Yamaha ace rode aggressively to take down trio, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, Norizman Ismail and Affendi to finish the race second with 15’21.076s .

Meanwhile Norizman finished third, 15’22.408s.

Bagging maximum points from this round, Fuad is now placed third overall in the CP130 rider standings with 38 points, at a tie with defending Champion, Azlan Shah while Ramdan pilots with 40 points thanks to two second place finishes.

CP115

The path to victory was almost certain for Ahmad Afif Amran who started the race from pole. In fact, a strong machine and a smooth take off saw the PETRONAS Yamaha – CKJ rider steal the holeshot and immediately pull away, leaving Yamaha teammates, Mohd Hafiz Nor Azman and Mohd Rozaliman Zakaria of PETRONAS Syntium Moto Yamaha AHM trailing behind.

Unfortunately, Afif crashed at the U-turn in the third lap allowing Rozaliman and Hafiz to take charge. But the AHM duo, in the hunt to secure podium made a dreadful error of crashing into each other at the U-turn.

Mohd Amirul Ariff Musa then took advantage of the situation to control the race pace but an inferior machine saw the defending Champion lose out to WIRA graduate, Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam who went on to win the race with 13’25.534s.

At the back of the grid, Afif picked up his machine and continued with the race with a broken clutch lever. Even so, this did not stop the Terengganu born rider from muscling his way to the front and conclude the race second with 13’25.929s followed by Amirul third, 13’27.061s.

Picking up 25 points, Fakhrusy moves up to fourth placing in the standings while Afif leads with 36 points followed by Amirul, 29 points and Tengku Amirul Haffiruddin (Motul Yamaha YY Pang) third, 25 points.

WIRA

Hafiza Rofa enjoyed another uninterrupted run to secure a back-to-back win in the age-capped WIRA class.

The Warner Pumps – YSP rider completed the 12-lap race within 10’57.326s followed by Che Ku Amriq Asyraff second and Khairul Idham Pawi third, 10’59.248s and 11’01.127s.

With this win, Hafiza Rofa further strengthen his lead in the riders overall standings with 50 points ahead of Khairul Idham’s teammate, Mohd Syafiq Rosli with 29 points and Che Ku Amriq third, 20 points.

YAMAHA 135 SUPER SERIES PETRONAS

Again Mohd Azam Omar made miracles happen when he bagged top spot in the final race of Yamaha 135 Super Series PETRONAS.

The second round of the season saw Azam maintaining the lead despite a few tough challenges from his Yamaha one make peers. From grabbing the holeshot, Azam then continued to hold on to his position on the still wet track.

The talented Mohd Khairul Ikhwan Ajis though running with the frontrunners succumbed to a crash that ended him in eighth position. Finishing second behind Azam was Mohd Ibrahim Mohd Norrodin and Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin in third.

Azam did 9:32.902s while Ibrahim and Kasma did theirs in 9:34.892s and 9:35.064s respectively.

For more news and results, visit www.malaysiancubprix.com