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An Evening with Red Bull and Superkip

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.

Hafizh Syahrin and Petronas Meet and Greet Fans

Petronas organized a meet-and-greet session with Malaysian Moto2 star Hafizh Syahrin.
Fans were also given the opportunity to obtain Hafizh’s autograph.
Hafizh hopes to do his best this weekend and thanked both Petronas and fans.

Petronas Technology Park 2, 25th October 2017 – Fans of Malaysian Moto2 and Petronas Raceline Malaysia rider, Hafizh Syahrin received a welcomed surprise today when the Petronas organized a meet-and-greet session.

Being Hafizh Syahrin and Petronas’ home event, the fans waited eagerly for Pescao 55 to show up for the autograph session.

We also spoke to Hafizh privately about his involvement with Petronas.

Bikes Republic (BR): How has Petronas’ involvement benefitted you from when you were in pocket bikes to now?
Hafizh Syahrin (HS): First and foremost, I would like to thank Petronas as they have given me big opportunities since 2009. They’ve supported me from then until now, and have continued to upgrade that support each year.

BR: Is Petronas the way for budding racers in Malaysia?
HS: There are many young and talented riders in local Malaysian races, and they need to show Petronas their potential. In my opinion, there are two to three riders with lots of potential who will soon make their mark. And Petronas should continue into the future.

BR: Besides yourself, does Petronas’ involvement also pave the way for talent development for Malaysians in other areas such as the mechanics and technicians?
HS: Yes, especially my mechanic, Habib, who has been following me from 2009 until today. Having him along with me in Europe is especially good as it’s quite awkward without having a friend to talk to in the same language, besides cook Malaysian and halal food together.

BR: What are you aspirations for this weekend’s Malaysian GP?
HS: As always, I’ll do my best. I would like again to thank Petronas and my fans for their undying support.

Bikes Republic had reported about Hafizh Syahrin’s participation in Moto2 recently. Please click here for the article.

Shell Advance rewards Malaysian fans with Jorge Lorenzo meet & greet!

Shell Advance together with Lazada Malaysia and Monster Energy Drinks organised a very special meet and greet session with Ducati MotoGP factory rider, Jorge Lorenzo.

Fans and winners of the Shell Advance Lazada Malaysia online contest were rewarded with a get together with the three-time MotoGP world champion.

The Spaniard rider was more than happy to entertain his fans with autographs and selfies.

Shell Advance together with the collaboration of Monster Energy Drinks rewarded a group of MotoGP enthusiasts with a special meet and greet session. With who, you ask? It was none other than three-time MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo of the Ducati MotoGP factory squad! (more…)

Boon Siew Honda ready to rock MotoGP with “Feel the Vibe” booth

For the 2017 Malaysian MotoGP round, Boon Siew Honda has planned something very special at their MotoGP booth.

Themed “Feel the Vibe”, there will be music, activities and their latest racing plus lifestyle merchandise available for purchase.

There will also be a Honda RC213V specially set up for attendees to have a seat and take photos with to remember the grand event.

The 2017 Malaysian MotoGP round is so, so close that you can already smell it in the air. Considered one of the biggest motorcycle racing events in the world (and most definitely here in Malaysia), all the manufacturers are bringing out their big guns to the show. One of them is none other than Boon Siew Honda. (more…)

PETRONAS partners up with SIC to form PETRONAS Sprinta Racing team

PETRONAS and Sepang International Circuit (SIC) have joined forces to form the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing team to further develop the future of two-wheel motorsports in the region.

The PETRONAS Talent Development Programme (TDP) and SIC Talent Development Programme (SICTD) have been brought together to assist with the ongoing efforts to nurture young talents.

SIC will take charge of managing the team and riders while PETRONAS will strive on expanding the brand’s image in the international motorcycle racing arena.

It was recently announced that PETRONAS and Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has entered a very monumental strategic partnership with the formation of a brand new racing team called the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing outfit. (more…)

Moto Guzzi Sunday Ride

Moto Guzzi organized the Moto Guzzi Sunday Ride this past weekend.
First Moto Guzzi ride formally organized by Moto Guzzi Malaysia.
The ride headed to Gohtong Jaya and Bentong.

What’s the best way to build camaraderie and a family of bikers? Go on a ride, of course.

Moto Guzzi Malaysia organized their first official ride since relocating to their new home at Gasket Alley, Seksyen 13, Petaling Jaya.

Modestly called, “Moto Guzzi Sunday Ride,” the outing was planned to gather the number of Moto Guzzi owners in Malaysia for a relaxing ride to Genting Permai and onwards to Lemang To’ki 2 (the main Lemang To’ki outlet is closed) in Bentong, Pahang.

Guzzi and other motorcycles owners started gathering at 8.30am. Another great aspect of motorcycle rides is that one will get to see a pleasant mix of different bikes, and we weren’t disappointed this weekend.

There was a California, a number of V7 Racers including one which was customized into a scrambler, a V7 Anniversario 50, V9 Bobber, and a Norge tourer. There was a myriad of bikes of different makes too.

We pushed off after a safety briefing by the ride marshal and Juan Chow, riding at steady pace behind the marshal all the way to the BHP petrol station just after the Gombak toll plaza. We noticed the traffic was exceptionally heavy for a Sunday.

Everyone took a quick breather from the scorching sun while the marshals did a quick headcount.

From there it was a short ride up to the Nanyang Kopitiam Restaurant at Genting Permai. Apart from the Starbucks adjacent to it, Nanyang has now become was already packed with groups of bikers. We caught sight of celebrities Afdlin Shauki and Johan seated not far from us.

After a quick brunch, he descended back down to Karak Highway and headed to Bentong.

If traffic was heavy along the highway, it was worse when we reached the town. By now the convoy had gotten strung out as we had to navigate around other vehicles.

A traffic jam is the worst place to be for any biker, because that’s when car drivers start misbehaving out of frustration. A car cut right across this writer’s front wheel, and a 4×4 darted out of the intersection to Fraser’s Hill. Another car swung into our path, as if refusing to let us pass.

We finally reached Lemang To’ki after battling the traffic, only to realize that the marshal had mistakenly led us to the closed outlet.

We doubled back toward Bentong town but the guy in front of our group of eight bikes had lost touch with the marshal. Seeing a shaded and safe area, we pulled in and stopped. A rider in the group got in touch on the phone with someone and told us that there had been an accident.

The Yamaha T-Max ridden by a Moto Guzzi staff was T-boned by a mini SUV which charged out of an intersection the town, and both victims on the bike were taken to the Bentong Hospital. As my pillion was the other pillion’s housemate and BFF, we decided to just swing over to the hospital nearby.

The rider suffered a broken left foot. His pillion fared worse as her left knee was torn open. We feared the worst, but she suffered no broken bone after being X-rayed, thankfully.

Both are now recovering at home.

In closing, I would like to comment that it had been a relaxing ride, and it would’ve been perfect if not for impatient drivers. It was nice to see the participants getting along well, as they joked and laughed about the ride when we stopped at Gohtong Jaya. Also, a word of advice: Please be extra vigilant should you ride to Bentong on weekends and public.