Round 2 of the KTM Malaysia Orange Enduro 2018 saw even greater participation than Round 1 held in Sungai Petani, Kedah in April.
101 participants accepted the challenge to put their skills on the line in going up against fellow competitors in this all-make event.
Participants and their teams had started setting up their pit area and motorcycles from as early as 7am, accompanied by a constant stream of registrations right up to the start of proceedings. Race series sponsors such as Gracshaw and Shizens (facial care products, whom Gabit is the Brand Ambassador) had also set up their wares for display and branding.
KTM Malaysia’s Sungai Buaya track layout had been altered to provide an even greater challenge to the riders eliminate advantage through familiarity. KTM Malaysia’s factory rider Gabit Saleh and trials rider Acoi Pangkolo has worked throughout the week and night before the event to ready the track. The former laid out the enduro zones such as hill climbs, jungle tracks, whoops and jumps while the latter prepared the obstacle zone complete with large tyres and log crossings. The lap distance had been expanded to approximately 6-km long.
A safety briefing was carried out before the start of the race and competitors had their bikes fitted with transponders to accurately log their times.
The weather was hot and dusty throughout the day.
Proceedings got under way with the “smallest” class. As the name implies, these motorcycles started out as underbones, better known as kapchais, and were modified to carry longer travel suspension and among other things for off-road duties.
Being “Open” means a competitor could bring any Cubcross bike regardless of engine capacity or type.
Ahmad Kamarul Munir (#50) took the holeshot at the start and left everyone in the dust with a comfortable lead at the fall of the chequered flag. Hafizi Bin Usman (#78) crossed the line in second, while Ahmad Jafri Bin Razali (#22) completed the podium.
A total of 13 riders took part in this category.
This class is meant for locally-assembled dirtbikes. As such, it was inundated with Kawasaki KLX150 and KLX250s. 23 participants took to the starting grid and they were given 30 minutes to complete as many laps as possible.
There was a fight for the lead began from the start. Besides that, the action soon got very entertaining for the crowd as the riders started making mistakes after mistakes. The logs proved especially troublesome for the 150s due to their low ground clearance.
Muhamad Amirul Bin Ramli (#42) pipped Muhammad Faiz Zulhilmi Bin Fasli (#94) by just 0.7 seconds at the finish line.
while Ahmad Kamarul Munir crossed the line less than 0.5 second behind the no. 2 placed man.
Action continue afterwards with the Veteran Open category, which is open to riders above 40 years old. The class saw a total of 18 riders. They were allocated 30 minutes plus 1 lap.
Asdin Udin led from start to finish, taking the checkered flag almost 2 minutes ahead of Richard Lim and 3 minutes from Mohd. Sanusi Bin Mohd. Yaman.
The D-P Rally (dual-purpose rally) is a new addition to the KTM Malaysia Orange Enduro 2018 series and is open to adventure motorcycles 650cc and above, attracting 11 entries.
Most of the participants had just completed the GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling jungle rally last weekend.
Ahmad Daniel Haiqal made a lightning start and rode with his trademark aggression ahead of Wong Chun Hing (better known as Bee Wong).
But Bee ran into a hole too hard and overstretched his chain, causing to slip repeatedly off the rear sprocket. He had no choice but to stop his KTM 1190 Adventure for repairs while other competitors passed him.
Ahmad Daniel Haiqal kept pushing hard on his Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro but a mistake relinquished his lead to Shamsul Azhar Abu Hazim (Acoi Pangkolo). The latter started riding harder after that point to open up a healthy gap all the way to the finish.
Bee then pushed hard to repass the field, save for Shamsul and Haiqal to finish third.
This category is open to KTM dirtbikes only.
Ahmad Daniel Haiqal also participated and went on to win some 45 seconds ahead of Lai Wai Seng and 3 minutes ahead of Muhd Hazim to capture the second podium of the day.
With 24 entries, this class is an indication of the number of KTM dirtbikes in circulation.
However, the hot and dusty conditions took its toll on many riders; there were 8 non-finishers.
As with the D-P class, the Women Enduro category is a new addition to the KTM Malaysia Orange Enduro 2018. The category is directly sponsored by Malaysian comedian and celebrity, Achey Bochey, who is an enduro rider himself.
There were just two registrations in the morning but the number of participants increased to 9 by the start of the race.
These ladies could not only ride but race too. The trio of Nur Haziyah Bt. Ramli, Nor Hasinah Mohamed and Siti Noor Safira Binti Mustafa were locked in a battle from early on, but it fizzled into a straight fight between Nur Haziyah and Nor Hasinah.
Nor Hasinah had led most of the race until she made a mistake which put here down and was passed by Nur Haziyah who romped home to take the win.
This is the premier category of the series, which attracts the top off-road riders in the country, including the aforementioned Ahmad Daniel Haikal, Muhammad Khairul Afif and Muhd. Habibullah Muhd. Saleh @ Gabit, among a total of 15 riders.
The action was fierce between the three in the early part of the race, before Haiqal pulled out a large lead from the rest of the field. But again, a mistake cost him dearly; to which Afif and Gabit capitalized on. However, both riders took it easy by the latter stages of the race, allowing Afif to win from Gabit by 10 seconds. Haiqal recovered to finish third, a distant 2 minutes behind.
The KTM Malaysia Orange Enduro has shown that off-road competition is healthy in Malaysia as the number of competitors are increasing by each round. KTM Malaysia’s decision to organize the Orange Enduro is also a positive gesture in allowing enthusiasts and pros to the opportunity to race and gauge their standards, regardless of the brand of motorcycle they are riding.
In fact, other manufacturers do not even organize their own off-road events on such a scale, despite the level of enthusiasm displayed at the Orange Enduro, including the dual-purpose and women’s categories. Look at how many participants signed up for the GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling the week prior.
There was also a huge turnout of spectators, which easily outnumbered the participants by 2:1.
It’s time for other manufacturers to step up to the plate.
KTM Malaysia had great plans when they organized the Orange Enduro 2018.
It was not only to highlight KTM’s strengths in the off-road segment, but also to allow for an outlet to all enduro enthusiasts to sharpen their skills, besides bringing new talents to the fore.
Round 1 of the KTM Malaysia Orange Enduro 2018 was carried out at the Sungai Petani Off-Road Track, in April 2018. It was highly successful, as it saw a great number of participants, despite the event’s date which clashed with other events.
Please click on the link below for our report on Round 1.
In the footsteps of that success, Round 2 is set to kick off on 14th July 2018. It will be held at the KTM Enduro Track at Sungai Buaya, Rawang this time.
As with Round 1, competitors may choose to join a number of categories:
The Dual-Purpose is the new addition to the series, in order for dual-purpose/adventure riders to test their motorcycles in a competitive environment. This is great news as owners of these motorcycles could fully discover the adventure side of the motorcycles.
Participants of the KTM Malaysia Orange Enduro 2018 – Round 2 will have the opportunity to win more than RM 12,000 in cash (divided among different categories), Elf lubricants, Gracshaw helmets, and many more great prizes.
Prize money is divided into:
The KTM Malaysia Orange Enduro is sponsored by Elf Lubricants (as the main sponsor), Gracshaw Helmets, Shizens Skincare (Gabit is the product ambassador), EDT Printing, Corporate Hero Printing, and Holeshot Motowear.
The KTM Malaysia Orange Enduro 2018 is slated to be one of KTM Malaysia’s largest events of the year.
The first round of the KTM Malaysia Orange Enduro 2018 saw encouraging participation and a display of high level of skills from the competitors.
Enticed by the call of competition to prove themselves and KTM Malaysia’s offer of a total of RM 10,000 in prize money, 60 riders showed up for the enduro. While most hailed from the northern states there were also those from other states. The number could have been higher due to competing events during the previous week and next week besides being at the middle of the month, however, it was still encouraging to see such good turnout. Additionally, the event is open to competitors on all makes of motorcycles, although only KTM motorcycles are allowed entry into the KTM Enduro category.
The competitors were divided into five categories:
The event got under way with the CKD Open category. The race was allocated 30 minutes +1 lap. Thirteen riders started the race, with 10 finishers.
Hafizudin (#46) battled Muhammad Qusyairi (#42) throughout the proceedings before the latter made a mistake near the end to see the former through to claim the win. In fact, Muhammad Qusyairi had actually posted the best lap time of 3m:15.516s to Hafizudin’s 3m:25.367s. Abdul Hanif (#34) came home third almost a minute behind.
As the name suggests the Cubcross Open category is open to kapchais that have been modified into dirtbikes. The organizers allocated 30 minutes +2 laps to this class. Out of thirteen riders who took to the started, 10 finished.
There was a close fight among four competitors at the drop of the flag, however, they settled down and finished some ways ahead of each other at the end.
Abdul Hanif (#34) who had finished third in CKD Open took top honours this time, followed by Mohd. Zulhairi (#10) and Muhamad Adam (#3) in second and third respectively.
This class is exclusively for KTM dirtbikes and it was also the toughest as the competitors had to ride for 1 hour +1 lap in under the blazing sun. 11 riders took part, but only 9 went the distance.
A fierce fight developed early on and through the midway point but Ahmad Danial Haikal (#9) showed his mettle by finishing well ahead of his rivals. Lai Wai Seng (#148) rode at a steady pace to claim second place, while Mohamad Kharul Afif (#11) finished third.
Gabit Saleh withdrew at the halfway mark due to a technical problem resulting from a fall.
The Veteran category is opened to riders aged 35 and up. Competitors had to complete the race within 35 minutes + 1 lap.
The class saw close competition amongst the top four all the way to end but Poh Ken (117) managed to pull away at the end with a controlled ride to finish 40 seconds ahead of second-placed Mohd. Sanusi (#119) and 45 seconds in front of Nazri Bahari (#67).
This was the main event, featuring the top riders on the best machinery. A time of 45 minutes + 2 laps were allocated.
Ahmad Daniel Haikal (#99) challenged Gabit (#27) early on but soon faded and the latter went on to claim victory at the wave of the flag. Mohamad Khairul Afif (#11) finished in third, a lap back.
Also present during the event were the Northern Dukers KTM onwers, who got to witness the proceedings first hand and lent their support to the KTM riders.
KTM Malaysia plans to hold Round 2 of the Orange Enduro 2018 at the Sungai Buaya Off-Road Track, so stay tuned. The series is in collaboration with Elf Lubricants Malaysia, EDT Printing, Gracshaw Helmets, and Bikes Republic.
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