• Reb Bull organised a pleasant meet-and-greet session with Khairul Idham Pawi, better known as Superkip.

• Red Bull has been instrumental in Superkip’s career as a racer.

• Superkip regards 2017 as a year of learning and making progress.

The Gardens, Mid Valley, 25th October 2017 – Well, it is the Malaysian MotoGP week and this is the best time to meet our favourite riders and idols, whom we won’t get to see the whole year ’round, except for maybe during the pre-season Winter Test. Then again, we don’t get to meet riders in other classes other than MotoGP, either.

Thanks to Red Bull, they set up a meet-and-greet session with national hero, Khairul Idham Pawi, better known as Superkip. In fact, Red Bull has been instrumental in Superkip’s progress through his career.

His exploits isn’t only known in Malaysia, but also worldwide when he won two Moto3 races in his first full season last year, which gives him the distinction of being the first Malaysian to have ever won a GP race of any class. Many Malaysians fondly remember the first time when Negaraku was played at the track and beamed into millions of homes around the world.

He has since moved up into Moto2 for the 2017 season, in the Idemitsu Honda Asia Team, riding a Kalex. Although he seemed to be struggling, it is a normal part of a steep learning curve. Give this 19-year-old from Perak some time and you can be sure Negaraku will be played again.

Red Bull had also organized a brief Q&A session with Superkip.

Question: You seem to be a little quiet since joining Moto2. What’s your opinion on that?
Superkip: To me this year is about learning, as I don’t have much experience. I’ve only one season each in the CEV Junior Championship and Moto3. I need more time but am growing more in tune with my Moto2 bike now, so I hope to perform well this weekend.

Question: Will there still be space for improvements this year?
Superkip: Insy’Allah there will be. There are still two races left and I’ll be testing for 2018 after the last round in Valencia.

Question: Will you be targeting a podium position this weekend?
Superkip: Realistically speaking, a podium finish may be difficult to achieve at the moment. The most important aspect for me is to keep improving.

Question: That difficulty is due to? Is it the machine? Or the team?
Superkip: It’s definitely not a problem with the machine or team. The struggle is with learning a new bike, which needs time.

Question: Are there or is there anyone who supports you through this time of need?
Superkip: Of course, my team, family friends, fans. Thank you for your support.

Question: There are those of the opinion that you were thrust into Moto2 too quickly?
Superkip: That may be true, although joining Moto2 at an early stage is also good thing as I’m already prepared from an early age.