Even though, the Moto2 wildcard entry to the 2010 Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix was a very last minute deal but Malaysian motorsports fans do not need to cast their doubt on Mohd Zamri Baba, the first Moto2 wildcard rider for Malaysia.

Moto2 is the new intermediate 600cc category in MotoGP and Zamri is not all that unfamiliar with the 600cc machine. The 27-year old rider has been racing on a Yamaha R6 machine since 2007 in the SuperSports 600cc category of the PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC).

This year, he is in his fourth season representing PETRONAS Yamaha Malaysia and is currently sharing the third overall in the standings with Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman on 87 points. Based on Zamri’s consistency in SuperSports 600cc category, he is the best Malaysian candidate for the Moto2 wildcard slot.

Ron Hogg, the Promotions Director of Two Wheels Motor Racing Sdn Bhd (TWMR) said it was only Zamri and Azlan that has been invited for the testing as both of them are at the peak of their racing career and the decision to select one of them is not based on the fastest lap time that they set during the trial out on September 8 in Sepang.

“Both the lap times that Zamri and Azlan clocked were pretty competitive but unfortunately we only have one slot for the wildcard. However, the decision made was not all about the fastest lap time but it’s the whole package of a rider that takes into count.”

“Zamri has been chosen for the Moto2 wildcard seat not so much so because of his impressive lap time but it’s because he is physically fit, mentally prepared, a versatile rider in both dry and wet condition and also a very committed rider.”

Ron went on to add, “Besides that, Zamri was one of the strong candidates for last year’s GP125 Wildcard Selection but unfortunately he didn’t make it because he has exceeded the age limit that the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has set for wildcard riders which was at age 25. Hence, we know Zamri well enough and we trust in the capabilities he has.”

Expressing confidence that Zamri is the best candidate for this year, Ron said that he believes Zamri has the heart and mind to succeed. “I firmly believe that if the rider has the yearning to be successful and the right mental aptitude, they will be able to overcome all challenges. I am certain that Zamri has these two main factors.”

• Results
• Construct
• Teams