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2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship: Round 1 Wrap-Up

Round 1 of the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) got off to a great start.
The long holiday did not deter teams from competing without much time for set ups.
Competition was close and exciting in a few classes.

The country may still be having a hangover from a people’s victory from the General Elections, but the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) got off to a rousing and positive start, nonetheless.

The General Elections and subsequent holidays had shortened the time available to the teams to set up their bikes for the race. Yet, all teams showed up and used the practice sessions to speed up the process.

But it was refreshing to see that it was very much a family-oriented race series. Most riders and team members had brought along their family along with their spouse and children to the paddock. They ate together. They shared the victories, defeats together. They prayed together.

There are four classes contested this year: Superbike, Superstock, Supersport, and Super 250. Each class is further subdivided into Open and Rookie categories, run together in each race.

Saturday had started warm and proceeded to being blistering hot even before the noon hour. The riders who came back after practice all look beat, yet there are fitter than most of us. There were a few teams that set up inflatable pools behind their pits as contingency in case their riders suffer heatstroke.

Qualifying was subsequently run in scorching heat, yet lap times were surprisingly quick. For example, Chia Motor PJ’s new signing, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman locked down the Superbike pole position with a time of 2:09.506, more than 0.8 second quicker than 2^nd placed qualifier Ramdan Rosli of TOC HKMTOYO Racing Team.

Ex-MSBK champion, Rajini Krishnan who runs his own Team RACR now, returned to MSBK competition on a Yamaha R-1M qualified third with a time of 2:11.157.

Qualifying times in all other classes also followed the same template.

However, all the qualifying effort almost amounted to nothing for a few competitors on race day.

A heavy shower in the morning inundated had the track. With heavy cloud cover ahead, the track stayed wet for most parts of the day until later in the afternoon.

For anyone who had ever ridden or driven around the Sepang International Circuit before, the track may look dry as if unmolested by a single drop of rain, only to discover it’s actually soggy.

The first race of the day, Superbike Race 1 got under way under after been declared a WET RACE. While the leaders slipped and slid all over the track, there were six crashers behind them on parts of the track where there was no standing water.

Rajini pushed as hard as he could at the front and won the race commandingly from Ramdan Rosli and Azlan Shah.

Competitors in subsequent categories raced on a wet track, but it was the Race 1 of the Super 250 class which proved to be the most entertaining. The rulebook did not separate the single-cylinder and two-cylinder bikes but it was the former that were faster despite Sepang’s long straights. A six-way battle for the lead developed in the closing stages with some hard passes and kamikaze dives inside each other. And it was that which decided the final results at the last turn on the final lap, when one rider misjudged his brake marker and torpedoed the 2^nd-place runner into the dirt. 16-year-old Indonesian rider Surya Narayana fought hard with all comers and came out tops in all three races. On a borrowed bike.

The track started to dry out by Supersport Race 2 and it was the first time that slick Pirelli tyres made their appearance of the day on the Superbikes. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of Hong Leong Yamaha Racing won Race 2, following his crash in Race 1. The team worked throughout the interim to fix his bike.

Azlan Shah showed the way in Superbike Race 2 as Ramdan ran into brake problems, while Rajini crashed at the start of Lap 3. Rajini managed to remount and fought his way back up to 5^th at the flag.

In the Superstock 1000 races proceeding the superbike races, Azrol Hakeem of Fastthrottle Motorsports rode in commanding fashion to dominate both races.

In closing, it was a great weekend of great racing. Unfortunately, as many were still making their way back into the Klang Valley following the long holiday, there were not as many spectators as expected. They had missed a great spectacle.

Until Round 2 of the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship, Selamat Berpuasa dan Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Boon Siew Honda updates the legendary Honda EX5

One of the most popular Honda cub models, the Honda EX5 has been refreshed with new colors.
Over 2 millions Honda EX5’s have been sold since its launch in 2017.
Chrome fittings and retro strips distinguish the new models.

The Honda EX5 is arguably among the most successful motorcycles, ever. In fact, more than 2 million units have been sold in Malaysia since it was introduced in 1987. It has proven to be among the most versatile and capable machines, and now it is about to get better.

In a press release issued just hours ago, Boon Siew Honda has just announced that there is a new EX5 available in the market featuring a new color – Magenta with retro stripes (shown above).

The Honda EX5 is the first Honda cub model to come equipped with fuel injection, which made the bike more powerful yet more economical than ever before. And through further improvement, the bike today requires a minimal air-fuel ratio, so using electronic control techniques today’s EX5 is actually more environmentally friendly than it has ever been.

And so, the new Honda EX5 can be distinguished by its trendier look with retro stripes, and adding to that classic touch is a chrome emblem and a chrome rear grip for passengers (shown above) to hold on to, as well as a chrome muffler cover which does not only add to its appearance but also adds an element of safety to keep heat away from the passenger.

Two variants of the EX5 are available, one comes with spoke rims and is available in pearl magellanic black and pearl nightfall blue and is priced at RM5,150.54 with GST. The other model comes with cast wheels (shown above), and is available three colors (pearl nightfall blue, candy scintillated red, space magenta metallic) and is priced at RM5,404.94.

Both bikes come with electric starters and a two year or 20,000km warranty.

2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship: TOC HKMTOYO Racing Team Leads

TOC HKMTOYO Racing Team leads the Superbike standings.
The team is formed through the TOC Technical College and HKMToyo Racing Team.
Round 1 of the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship marked the first outing for the team.

The TOC HKMTOYO Racing Team was recently constituted, concurrently with the launch of TOC Automotive College’s (TOC) Motorcycle Technician Training course. (Please click here for our coverage.)

As TOC believes that technical training does not only involve repairing vehicles, as motorsports is seen as the ultimate way for the school to impart knowledge and training to their students in a fun way to face the challenges associated with racing. As such, they have also a racing division called School of Motorsports. This division has spawned four-wheeled racing champions in the past and it is only natural that they extend it to two-wheeled motorsports as well.

Headed by Team Principal Mohd. Najuib Alias, HKMTOYO Racing Team is the defending MSBK champion from 2017. The team had also worked with MARA for industrial training in the past thus the tie-up with TOC Automotive College for the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship makes sense, if not inevitable.

The newly formed team combines the technical skills, knowledge and experience of the HKMTOYO Racing Team and personnel from TOC. TOC had also secured the services of Malaysian GP legend and current MX trainer at Most Fun Gym “Foreman” Oh Kah Beng as the Motosports Director to supervise the team and provide MX training.

Four riders are contracted to the team for the Superbike and Superstock classes.

In the Superbike category, Ramdan Rosli raced in the FIM CEV Moto2 Championship in Spain. He was also a wildcard rider in the World Moto2 championship between 2014 to 2016. He rides the BMW S 1000 RR.

The second rider is Muhammad Jamalul Tarmizi, riding the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

As for the Superstock category, Amirul Hafiq Azmi and Nasarudin Mat Yop are the riders.

In Race 1 of the Superbike class, Ramdan took it easy at start of the wet race, falling behind Rajini Krishnan of Team RACR and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of Chia Motor PJ. Soon, he was able to find his rhythm and started stalking the second-place man, and eventually passing Azlan Shah with 4 laps remaining to finish 2^nd.

Muhammad Jamalul rode a steady race to finish 5^th, for a tally of two TOC HKMTOYO bikes in the Top 5.

As for Race 2, Ramdan had started strong and was in a three-way battle among Rajini and Azlan Shah. However, Rajini crashed at the start of Lap 3, leaving the two other riders to fight it out. Unfortunately, Ramdan had started to slow from that point with brake problems and allowing Azlan Shah to ride away 2 seconds faster per lap.

As for Muhammad Jamalul, he went one better this time and came home in fourth.

“There was no front brake. The lever came all the way back to the handle grip,” lamented Ramdan. “The only I could make it work was to hold the lever back slightly but I still didn’t have full braking power.”

That was amazing feat considering the monumental challenge.

In the Superstock category, Amirul Hafiz Azmi finished in 5^th in Race 1 but forced to retire in Race 2, while his teammate Nasarudin May Yusop picked up 3^rd in Race 2.

The TOC HKMTOYO Racing Team now leads the riders’ and teams’ championship in the Superbike Category of the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) as the series heads into the Ramadhan and Hari Raya Puasa break.

PICTURE GALLERY

2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship: Positive Results for Chia Motor PJ

Chia Motor PJ has been involved with racing for many years.
Recently signing on Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, this was their first race together.
With one 3^rd place and one win, Chia Motor PJ heads into Round 2 in second place.

It had been a start of sorts for Chia Motor PJ but what mattered at the end was the win they had expected in Round 1 of the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK).

The team’s new rider, Azlan Shah Kamarulzaman, who also races in the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) and previously Moto2, had dominated practice and qualifying before the start of today’s proceedings.

But a heavy downpour in the morning prior to the start of Race 1 of the Superbike category made the going around the Sepang International Circuit tricky. As anyone who had ridden at SIC before could attest, while the rain had stopped when the pitlane opened, the track was still wet with many unseen wet patches. One corner may be dry but charging into the next one could have you highsided into space.

The race was declared a WET RACE and pit crews hurriedly mounted full wet Pirellis onto their motorcycles.

As the crew took to the starting grid, there were cautious smiles, if you could call it that, since this was Azlan’s first ride for the team. Each rider has a peculiar riding style, hence settings to the next guy and it takes time to develop a trust: for team, the rider, the bike, the equipment.

As soon as the lights turned to green, Azlan’s rear tyre was clearly spinning away and fishtailing. It was also apparent that his bike was squirming around under braking. There was even speculation that Azlan had gone out on slicks.

The affable rider was forced to slow down.

In the pits, worried faces crowded around a TV monitor as MSBK ex-champion and ex-Chia Motor PJ rider, Rajini Krishnan overtook Azlan and pulled a healthy lead. Even the ever-smiling Team Boss, Keith Chia (better known as “Ah Kit”) was glum. The entire team was quiet – dropping a spanner now would sound like an IED going off, despite the howls of bikes passing at high speeds.

Afterwards, Team TOC HKMToyo rider, Ramdan Rosli managed to catch and pass Azlan into second position the closing stages.

Azlan was soon on the verge of falling into the grasp of the fourth-placed runner, but managed held on.

At the checkered flag, it was Rajini first, Ramdan second and Azlan third.

“We couldn’t get the proper level of traction control dialed in for the first race. The Kawasaki ZX-10R is a really powerful bike and the rear tyre started to slide around as soon as Azlan touched the throttle,” said Keith after the race. “It’s better to finish and earn some points,” he continued.

That’s right, to win you have to first finish the race.

Later in the afternoon, all eyes in the Chia Motor PJ pits were again glued to the TV monitor in the pits during the SuperSport race, which preceded Superbike Race 2. The did so to observe the track’s condition and behavior of the bikes currently racing, in order to base their last-minute set up and tyre choice for Race 2.

Some sunshine filtered through the clouds halfway through SuperSport Race 1, sending the Superbike teams into another frenzy of activity to replace the wets with dry tyres.

Azlan, Ramdan and Rajini aced their starts and pulled away from the rest of the field almost immediately. Azlan led past the line to start Lap 2, but suddenly Rajini was missing and the camera picked him up in the gravel trap at Turn 1.

Ramdan tried to give chase at that point but the combination of Azlan’s riding skill and the Kawasaki prepared by Chia Motor PJ proved too much – Azlan went 2 seconds faster per lap to claim the checkered flag.

Chia Motor PJ was elated at the results and Azlan stands in second place in the championship as the Malaysia Superbike Championship breaks for Ramadhan and Hari Raya Puasa.

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya “Shop Talk”

Harley-Davidson of Petaling (HDPJ) called upon Harley owners for a “shop talk.”
The talk covered technical, features of the 2018 Softail range.
The talk included the brake service campaign, introduction to the new engine and bikes, and Motorclothes.

Knowing you’re riding the best motorcycle is one thing, learning about what makes it tick is quite another level altogether.

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya decided to impart their knowledge of the brand to owners by holding a “shop talk,” where they interact with Harley-Davidson specialists about their bikes, myths, service campaigns and new products.

The event got off to a start with the presentation of the brake service campaign. As we reported earlier (please click here for the article), the Motor Company had decided to recall 2008 to 2011 Touring, CVO Touring and V-Rod models with ABS to have their brake fluid replaced. Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (HDPJ) has received the new Platinum Line Brake Fluid and is set to get the campaign rolling.

HDPJ’s Technical Specialist also informed the owners that a motorcycle’s brake fluid has to be replaced every 2 years, regardless of mileage covered.

If you own any of the above models, please get in touch with HDPJ’s Service Department to determine if your Harley is affected.

HDPJ moved on to present the new Milwaukee-Eight engine and 2018 Harley-Davidson lineup. Presentation was first carried out on the screen before being moved to the new Fat Bob and Street Glide on display. Those present had the firsthand view of the new features on the new models, such better suspension, brakes, styling. Harleys are truly much more refined these days, without losing their identity.

Do note that Harley’s Shop Talk sessions aren’t one-way traffic; owners were encouraged to formulate their questions when the invitation was published. Therefore, there were many questions, a few myths and concerns that were raised. HDPJ addressed them expertly and professionally.

Lastly, HDPJ presented the 2018 Motorclothes lineup. Motorclothes is Harley-Davidson’s official range of rider wear which consists of everything a Harley owner could think of, plus plenty of Harley-Davidson paraphernalia and merchandise.

Seeing that the owners adjourned feeling elated, they must’ve gained some new knowledge of their trusty steeds from the shop talk.

PICTURE GALLERY

MSC: TOC HKMTOYO Racing Team ready to dominate

The Malaysia Superbike Championship 2018 (MSC) will see the TOC HKMTOYO Racing Team competing in the Superbike and Superstock categories.

A four-bike team comprises Mohd Ramdan Rosli, Muhammad Jamalul Tarmizi, Amirul Hafiq Azmi, and Nasarudin Mat Yusop.

Team TOC HKMTOYO Racing will start tomorrow’s races from P2 and P5 in Superbike and P2 and P10 in Superstock.

The newly-formed TOC HKMTOYO Racing Team is ready to set a name for themselves in the Malaysia Superbike Championship 2018 (MSC) this year. With a four-bike team and a list of the nation’s formidable riders and teaming up with the TOC Automotive College, they’re ready to take on the MSC series with full force. (more…)

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Latest News

Round 1 of the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) got off to a great start.

The long holiday did not deter teams from competing without much time for set ups.

Competition was close and exciting in a few classes.

TOC HKMTOYO Racing Team leads the Superbike standings.

The team is formed through the TOC Technical College and HKMToyo Racing Team.

Round 1 of the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship marked the first outing for the team.

PICTURE GALLERY

Chia Motor PJ has been involved with racing for many years.

Recently signing on Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, this was their first race together.

With one 3rd place and one win, Chia Motor PJ heads into Round 2 in second place.

Harley-Davidson of Petaling (HDPJ) called upon Harley owners for a “shop talk.”

The talk covered technical, features of the 2018 Softail range.

The talk included the brake service campaign, introduction to the new engine and bikes, and Motorclothes.

PICTURE GALLERY

The Malaysia Superbike Championship 2018 (MSC) will see the TOC HKMTOYO Racing Team competing in the Superbike and Superstock categories.

A four-bike team comprises Mohd Ramdan Rosli, Muhammad Jamalul Tarmizi, Amirul Hafiq Azmi, and Nasarudin Mat Yusop.

Team TOC HKMTOYO Racing will start tomorrow’s races from P2 and P5 in Superbike and P2 and P10 in Superstock.

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With one 3^rd place and one win, Chia Motor PJ heads into Round 2 in second place.