Ahmad Nashrul Edges Closer To First MSBK Crown

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MALAYSIA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 – ROUND 4 

SEPANG, 3 December 2016 – Ahmad Nashrul Baharuddin of Team Project X edged closer to his first Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) crown after scoring two podium wins in Round 4 of the Superstock Championship including victory in the opening race at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on Saturday.  
 
Ahmad Nashrul - a former Asian Road Racing Championship (ARRC) rider and a multiple champion during the old Malaysian Super Series (MSS) days – collected 41 points from Saturday’s two races to bring his total haul to 168 championship points with one round to go on Sunday.
 
The Malaysian’s advantage at the top of the standings, however, was reduced slightly to 17 points after his closest rival, Jouni Karhu of Finland was equally impressive, winning Race 2 after finishing second to Ahmad Nashrul in Race 1 in the morning, taking his total haul to 151 points.
 
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Ahmad Nashrul’s teammate, Mohd Radzi Omar also remained in the title contention with his two podium finishes on Saturday, taking his total haul to 141 championship points.  
 
With a maximum of 50 points up for grabs in Sunday’s final round, the championship battle remains open for all three riders, all of whom will need to be at their best on Sunday to take the coveted Superstock Championship crown. 
 
With championship leader Ahmad Fuad Baharuddin opting to skip this weekend’s double-round contest, the battle for the Superbike Championship remains an open affair with Round 5 on Sunday to be the deciding factor.
 
Defending champion Rajini Krishnan won the opening race to keep his championship hopes alive, but was foiled by a poor Race 2 where he could only finish fourth
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Malaysia’s Moto2 rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah, who took third place in Race 1, was in blazing form in Race 2, which saw former Australian superbike champion Cameron Donald and Finland’s Karhu taking second and third respectively.   
 
Commenting on his performance, Hafizh said he was unlucky in the opening race on Saturday due to a puncture in the front tyre, and was looking forward to doing his best in Round 5 on Sunday.
 
“I am happy to win Race 2 in Round 4 after only managing to take third place in Race 1. I could have done better, if not for the puncture in my front tyre. Anyway, I am happy with my overall performance as this is my first time competing on a 1000cc bike. I would like to thank Project X Racing Team for giving me the opportunity to race and all the sponsors for their support,” Hafizh said.
In the Supersport Championship, Germany’s Ismael Smajli sealed the overall title after scoring a double victory in Round 4 to take an unassailable lead in the championship with a massive total haul of 164 points. 
 
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In the Open 250 Championship, Singaporean Muhammad Jazil Juraimi took a massive step towards winning the overall title after scoring a double victory in Round 4 to collect 50 precious points and take his total haul to 185 points.
 
Locked on 135 points with Jazil at the start of Saturday’s races, compatriot Khairul Anwar Jamil left himself a big gap to cover in Sunday’s final round after only managing second and third in Race 1 and Race 2 respectively, leaving him with 171 points. 
 
Riders from all championships will compete in the final two races of the season in the concluding Round 5 on Sunday.
 
Sunday also features the final round of the Malaysian Championship Series (MCS) for cars, which will see the teams and drivers competing in a 300-kilometre endurance race beginning 5pm.
 
Fans can catch all the action for free from the Main Grandstand. To be closer to the action, fans can purchase special Paddock passes at the Paddock entrance.  
 
Malaysia Superbike Championship – Round 4
 
Top Three Finishers
 
SUPERSTOCK CHAMPIONSHIP
 
Race 1 (12 laps)
1. Ahmad Nashrul Baharuddin (Kawasaki ZX10RR) - 29:37.497s 
2. Jouni Karhu (Kawasaki ZX10R) - 29:42.787s  
3. Mohd Radzi Omar (Honda CBR1000RR) - 30:28.036s 
 
Race 2 (12 laps)
1. Jouni Karhu (Kawasaki ZX10R) 27:34.821s
2. Mohd Radzi Omar (Honda CBR1000RR) 27:35.543s
3. Ahmad Nashrul Baharuddin (Kawasaki ZX10RR) 28:02.100s
 
SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
 
Race 1 (12 laps)
1. Rajini Krishnan (Kawasaki ZX10R) 29:02.518s 
2. Jouni Karhu (Kawasaki ZX10R) 29:06.078s 
3. Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (Yamaha R1M) 29:15.719s
 
Race 2
1. Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (Yamaha R1M) 26:49.464s
2. Cameron Donald (Kawasaki ZX10R) 26:58.710s  
3. Jouni Karhu (Kawasaki ZX10R) 27:03.807s 
 
SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP
 
Race 1 (9 laps/merged)
1. Ismael Smajli (Kawasaki ZX6R) 22:01.941s 
 
2. Khurana Dhiraj (Honda CBR600) 22:15.930s
3. Chua Soon (Yamaha R6) Wei 22:50.541s 
 
Race 2 (12 laps)
1. Ismael Smajli (Kawasaki ZX6R) ​28:07.320s​
2. Khurana Dhiraj (Honda CBR600) ​28:26.498s​
3. Joe Teo Yew (Honda CBR600) ​28:26.547s​
 
OPEN 250 CHAMPIONSHIP
 
Race 1 (8 laps)
1. Muhammad Jazil Juraimi (Kawasaki 250) 23:22.379s
2. Khairul Anwar Jamil (Honda CBR 250R) 23:41.571s
3. Ammar Dhiyauddin (Kawasaki 250) 23:42.338s
 
Race 2 (8 laps)
1. Muhammad Jazil Juraimi (Kawasaki 250) - 21:21.485s
2. Ammar Dhiyauddin (Kawasaki 250) - 21:25.683s
3. Khairul Anwar Jamil (Honda CBR 250R) -21:25.756s
 
ENDS
 
For more information, please contact SIC National Press Officer Nor Lina Ayob at norlina.ayob@sepangcircuit.com.