As we’ve reported on previous occasions, the TOC Automotive College (TOC) is providing a loan for students aspiring to be certified superbike technicians through a program called, “Bina Bakat (Talent Development).” (Please click here for the full article.) Now, to provide graduates opportunities for greater job placement portfolios, as the college has announced their partnership with the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
This augurs well with SIC as the world-class motorsports venue’s management has expanded their reach into two-motorsports by running their own MotoGP team next year, after SIC tied up with the Angel Nieto Team and Yamaha to run the manufacturer’s satellite team beginning 2019 (please click here to read the full news). Besides that, SIC has also set up a Talent Cup to develop young racers in Malaysia, managed by Zulfahmi Khairuddin.
This is on top of Hafizh Syahrin making the jump to the MotoGP premier class this year.
Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Razali, the CEO of Sepang International Circuit said that such expansion requires certified and skilled mechanics, who are disciplined in their work ethics. He is confident that these are the very sort of technicians who are produced by TOC through the Superbike Technician Course, which also encompasses motorsports as part of their syllabus.
Indeed, as part of TOC’s “Enriching Lives” theme, the college seeks to provide the best talent development program through Bina Bakat. The program builds the students’ development path through 80% practical work, preparing them for potential job placements after graduation. Obviously, SIC is an attractive goal for many students.
To rehash, Bina Bakat program offers 100% education loan to eligible student to follow the Superbike Technician Course. They will then repay their loans after they have found job placements.
The announcement was made during a special get-together event at the TOC Automotive College’s campus in Petaling Jaya. Present were Hafizh Syahrin (MotoGP), Adam Norrodin (Moto3), Zulfahmi Khairuddin (Team Manager), Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Razali, Oh Kah Beng (TOC Motorsports Director), Jeffrey Oh (Oh Kah Beng’s brother and co-ordinator for the Asia Talent Cup and British Talent Cup) and Habibtullah Fuad Mohamad (Moto2 Mechanic), among other dignitaries and well-known figures in Malaysian motosports.
The guests were given a guided tour of TOC’s facilities and they signed autographs for their fans after the press conference.
Please visit TOC Automotive College’s Facebook page or their campus (map below) or call call (+603) 7960 8833 for more information. Likewise, you can find more information about the TOC Bina Bakat Program here, or email info@toc.edu.my. Please click on this link for further information on the TOC Superbike Technician Course.
It is official: Yamaha will have a satellite team from next year, sponsored by Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and run by the Angel Nieto Team from next year.
Following the loss of the Tech 3 team to KTM in 2019, Yamaha would have been without a second team. A satellite team is always important as it serves to provide extra data to the factory team.
Rumours began to circulate in early May that SIC or Petronas will step in to sponsor a Yamaha satellite team, along with the hopes of signing Hafizh Syahrin as one of the riders in due time.
But Syahrin was adamant to follow the Tech 3 route, while there were also buzzes that Jorge Lorenzo might return to Yamaha. However, since the seats at the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP factory had been secured by Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinalez for the next season or two, the only route for Lorenzo would be the SIC team.
But Lorenzo went ahead to join Repsol Honda instead, after Dani Pedrosa announced his departure from Honda after 18 years.
Officially official: Lorenzo joins Honda for 2019 and 2020 MotoGP seasons
Then, earlier today, the Angel Nieto Team announced that SIC will take over their MotoGP effort from the next season, with Jorge Martinez “Aspar” assuming the Sporting Advisor position in the team.
Another announcement followed afterwards, in which Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SIC to lease the Yamaha YZR-M1 to the latter for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons.
No rider line-up has been announced at the this was published. There were hopes of Dani Pedrosa joining the team. He is set to announce his future plans at the German Grand Prix next week (12th to 15th July).
Meanwhile, the move by SIC should boost the Malaysian MotoGP’s popularity even further, now that we have a rider and team in MotoGP.
Malaysian Honda motorcycles distributor, Boon Siew Honda, has just launched the Neo Sports Café lineup – the CB1000R and CB250R.
The launch event also served as an occasion for BSH to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri with members of the media. It is a tradition that BSH has observed throughout the years and to spice things up even further, the media was treated to riding the CB1000R, CB250R, X-ADV and CRF1000L Africa Twin at the Sepang International Circuit.
In his speech, Mr. Keiichi Yasuda, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Boon Siew Honda revealed that the company had received overwhelming response for the Africa Twin and X-ADV – which became the catalyst to introduce the Neo Sports Café bikes.
Safety briefings from both BSH’s riding instructor and SIC’s clerk of course followed Mr. Yasuda’s speech and we were then ushered to the paddock downstairs for a short product introduction and briefing.
The briefing centred primarily around the Africa Twin and X-ADV as they were both with Honda’s proprietary Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT). The DCT on both bikes could perform as fully automatic, more “aggressive” SPORT auto and manual by way of push buttons on the left handlebar.
I drew the X-ADV on our first trip out. I had ridden this bike around in Pattaya, Thailand and found it to be superb around the congested city. I left the transmission in “D” (for “DRIVE” as in fully automatic just like in a car) while I concentrated on navigating through heavy traffic and throngs of tourists.
Of course, it looks like scooter with some offroad capability thrown in, but truth is, the X-ADV is a motorcycle of a different concept. It’s a bike that’s meant to go anywhere and does it in seamless fashion. Honda’s copywriting blurb says that it’s “A motorcycle that thinks it’s an SUV.”
Since we were given only three laps per bike here at SIC, I decided to just keep in “D,” too. Well, it was also because I kept finding the horn button through my race gloves, instead.
Out of the pits and into Turn One, the X-ADV felt strange initially. It turned out that I was trying to trail brake into the corner.
Anyhow, it didn’t take long to learn the bike and I was already speeding into Turn Five with the throttle held open. But when I let of the gas to set up for Turn Six, the transmission downshifted almost imperceptibly, and I had the right amount of power at the exit.
It was just a seamless piece of cloth as I blasted down the front straight (it’s a 750cc bike, by the way). The brakes were superbly strong as I braked for Turn One. It was as easy as that. The X-ADV touched down its centrestand through Turn Two but there was lots of cornering clearance, overall.
And it’s NOT a scooter!
Just like the X-ADV, I’ve also ridden the ‘Twin before but that one had a “normal” gearbox. The first thing I noticed about this one was the low seat height which took me by surprise.
Then I did a noob thing: I tried to grab the “clutch lever” but it was waaay further than the reach of my fingers. The group was about to leave the pits, so I waved my arms around like one of Caesar’s friends (as in Caesar in Planet of the Apes). The Honda guys ran over and stifled their laughter as they told me, “That’s the parking brake for uphill.” Ooooh-kaaay.
Now, a noob thing #2. I started searching for the gear pedal. The same guy saw it and told me to shift using the up and down buttons on the left switch cluster. I tried dabbing at them with my stiff gloves and found the horn again. So, yes, I decided to leave it in D.
The Africa Twin may have more cc’s than the X-ADV but it got going a lot smoother. The suspension was also much softly damped and I could feel that as I started braking for Turn One. However, while I could feel the rear swingarm moving up and down to cope with the cornering forces, the good news was the bike didn’t wallow like an old KL taxi.
Riding the Africa Twin with DCT was so easy perhaps anyone could do it. Accelerate, brake, turn, repeat.
Through this first experience, I could safety assume that the bike was geared mainly for the dirt, hence the soft suspension. Its power character was also on the softer and smoother side. Not that you couldn’t push it on tarmac, but it kind of defeats the bike’s real mission in life. As for the DCT, it should take the workload off the rider while he concentrates on negotiating the trail.
Please click on the link below for the prices of the X-ADV and Africa Twin.
2018 Honda X-ADV & Africa Twin prices announced! From RM57,999
Now, we’re talking! VROOOM! VROOOOM! Yeah, heh heh. The exhaust note was raunchy enough it could be heard through my Arai and racing earplugs. It’s probably one of the few bikes which the owner doesn’t have to bin the stock exhaust.
The styling was definitely a funky mix of new and old elements, hence Neo Sports.
The engine is derived from an old CBR1000RR Fireblade and has a longer stroke. It produces 143 bhp at 7500 RPM and 104 Nm of torque at 8250 RPM.
In SPORT mode, the bike charged ahead but it did so very smoothly. Its engine braking was equally as smooth without robbing you of corner rolling speed. The suspension and seat were equally comfortable.
Despite being comfy, the CB1000R could be hustled through corners with ease, even at the narrow Turns Two and Four. It flicked over with hardly any steering input.
But it did fly down the straight. Braking hard for Turn One, I was surprised to find a lack of fork dive. I only found out later that the forks are Showa’s new Separate Function Fork – Big Piston (SFF-BP).
I was just starting to have fun when Ahmad Zakhwan, our lead marshal waved us into the pits. Sheesh.
This is gonna be awkward, I thought. I should’ve started on this one instead of the progressively bigger bikes.
But it felt so good to ride a lightweight bike as soon as the clutch went out. The single-cylinder engine revved very quickly without much vibration. Just as the rest I’ve tested earlier, the suspension may be on the softer side but it didn’t mean the bike was going to squirm around.
And since it was so light, I just chucked it into all the corners in a gear too high. The engine was also super smooth for a single and didn’t feel like it was being revved to destruction despite hitting the rev limiter a few times. I had so much fun I actually missed the checkered flag and had to circulate for one extra lap.
But the best thing about it was just amazingly easy it was to ride. Coupled with the low seat height, beginners will find it easily accessible.
In closing, all four bikes were great and showcased Honda’s attention to detail and quality. All panels joined uniformly, the paint quality was consistently good for all four bikes.
But I couldn’t wait to fully review the CB1000R at a later date.
Last weekend was a day filled with track day enthusiasts tearing up the asphalt. Kawasaki Motors Malaysia (KMSB) organised their own Kawasaki Track Day 2018 yesterday morning and it was followed by the Desmo Owners Club Malaysia (DOCM) in the afternoon. (more…)
Ahead of the country’s 14th general election, some tensions are running high and the good folks over at Kawasaki Motors Malaysia (KMSB) organised the Kawasaki Track Day 2018 yesterday to help quite a few Kawasaki owners blow off some steam. We’re talking about the highly-recommended Vitamin TD (Track Day)! (more…)
We all know that 2019 will be a major season for the entire MotoGP grid. With the changes and additions satellite bikes and the possible reshuffling of riders, there are also rumours on Sepang International Circuit (SIC) securing the first Malaysian MotoGP team next season. (more…)
21st February 2018, Petaling Jaya – There are many ways to stir the sense of patriotism amongst the citizens of a country, sports being one of them. Malaysia has long have great motorcycling talents but they’ve never seemed to capture much limelight, until recently.
The Hafizh Syahrin “Pescao 55” saga has been put to the rest as the affable Malaysian hero’s place in the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team for 2018 MotoGP has been confirmed without a sliver of doubt, as of 4pm today.
Speaking at a tea-time session with Malaysian journalists, Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Razali and Hafizh Syahmin made the announcement to a boisterous cheer, as patriotism took hold on everyone present.
When questioned, Hafizh said, “I tried my best during the Winter Test at Buriram. Most new riders to the premier class (MotoGP) would record times at least 3 or 4 seconds slower than the leader.”
“While I couldn’t promise great results right away, as there’s still much to learn, what I can promise Malaysia and my fans is that I will always continue to fight for the best possible results,” he continued.
Indeed, Hafizh isn’t a rider who gives up as he had shown in his past races.
Shifting from one team to another is always difficult and that’s why certain riders suffer when they do so. “The atmosphere in the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team is very supportive and relaxed. They’ve been very supportive in providing guidance and advice. Even Johann Zarco has provided some advice.”
As for further testing and development, “I had to get used to the bike quickly. In some sense, the many electronic rider aids in MotoGP helps much more than it did in Moto2. However, the team will send me out for many more laps in the coming test (Qatar). That way, the team could run race simulations, allowing to learn more how the bike handles when the tyre performance drops off and the electronics.”
There’ve been rumblings in social media as to how Hafizh got the Tech 3 seat, ahead of riders such as Moto2 Champion Franco Morbidelli, and forerunners such as Thomas Luthi, Xavier Simeon, Takaagi Nakagami. To put it succinctly, it was speculated that SIC had paid for Hafizh’s seat. Perhaps, we shouldn’t think that far, as Occam’s razor applies in this case: “When all things seems to make no sense, the simplest explanation is the simplest one.” Those riders had signed to their respective teams before Jonas Folger’s announcement to drop out of MotoGP, paving the way for Hafizh.
Dato’ Razlan explained, “The sponsorships deals for the team had been finalized, so there’s no room for SIC to insert our branding. But Insy’Allah, we could do it in 2019.”
“It has always been SIC’s dream to put a Malaysian in every class. However, Hafizh’s entry to MotoGP is one year earlier than we anticipated and that saved us the money. Right now, SIC will take care of Hafizh’s personal costs during the season.”
Hafizh will be based primarily in Spain for the year, “SIC has set up training facilities for myself, Adam Norrodin and Zulfahmi Khairuddin there. I’ve contested in the Spanish CEV before Moto2 so there’s no problem for me there.”
So, will Hafizh’s participation in MotoGP draw in the crowds to the Malaysian MotoGP? “It definitely will,” said Dato’ Razlan, “We are expecting to see a 200% increase in the number of spectators.”
“We hope that with Hafizh’s involvement in MotoGP that especially young Malaysian motorcyclists will be inspired to channel their talents appropriately. With the right focus and determination, look at where one could reach,” added Dato’ Razlan.
At the end of it, come what may, Malaysians can proudly wave the Jalur Gemilang at SIC. Let’s also hope to hear Negaraku on the TV soon.
The Petronas Sprinta Racing team was officially launched yesterday at the Sepang International Circuit. This partnership between SIC and Petronas as the official title sponsor which will run its course for three seasons will start with Adam Norrodin and Ayumu Sasaki taking their race-bred Honda Moto3 machinery to podium contentions. (more…)
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