Mohamad Suhadi Ali Rahmat – the 2009 Malaysian Super Series (MSS) Superstock champion – is making the Supersports Championship is main target this year as he set his sight to win Moto2 wildcard ticket at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix that is offered by Sepang International Circuit.      

“I am happy that the team is also making this a priority as well. I thank the Idemitsu Honda Racing Team for their support and hopefully, we can win the championship this year,” said the Round 1 winner, who aimed to take his second win this weekend.

“It’s good that there are now opportunities for local riders to move forward and test their skills in the international arena. I congratulate SIC for offering this opportunity to dream of competing in Moto 2. It’s something that would have never crossed our minds not too long ago,” said Suhadi.

A motocross sensation in his teenage days – winning the national championship at the age of 16, Suhadi – now aged 25 - switched to cub prix due to the limited opportunities to race in motocross. He made an immediate impact; winning the premier expert title in 2006.

After successfully delivering the 125cc GP Wildcard programme last year and helping out 18-year old Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin realizing his dream to compete in the world 125cc MotoGP this season, SIC is working closely with Dorna to carry a similar wildcard programme for 2011 for a Moto2.

Candidates for the Malaysian Moto2 wildcard ticket would be selected from the MSS Supersports Championship with the top three riders to be put in a comprehensive selection programme – similar to what was done for the 2009 125cc wildcard programme.

The ‘prize’ effectively made 600cc Supersports contest as the premier championship in this year’s MSS biking competition, which also included the Superstock Championship, the Superbike Championship and the Hi-Rev Bikerz Cup.     

The opening Round 1 in May saw 30 bikers on the grid including top riders from Thailand with the likes of Walairot Rathapong, Suhatchai Cheamsap and Apiwat Wongthananon making their debut in the MSS.

“Yes, the championship this year is very competitive … the Thai riders are very good. Like the young Rathapong, who is the brother of Moto2 rider Rathapark – he’s very fast. So, it’s Suhatchai and Apiwat,” said Suhadi, who is currently locked with Suhatchai at the top of the championship standings with 45 points.

In the absence of Suhadi, who won all the rounds to win the Superstock title last year, Ahmad Zamani Baharuddin and Ramon Azrem Abdul Karim as they swapped the top two places in Round 1 to jointly lead the championship with 45 points. Similarly in the Superbike Open Championship, former Yasuhiro Kuhara of Japan and Malaysian Mohd Zamri Baba took a win and a second place each to lead the contest.

Apart from the second round of the biking competitions, this weekend’s event would also feature the

Asian Touring Car Series, the Malaysian Touring Car Challenge, Macau N2000, Macau Roadsports Challenger and the the single seater PETRONAS Formula Xperience.

 

MSS results