Latest news with #PetronasGrandPrixofMalaysia
The Star
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
High hopes for Hakim to get Moto3 wildcard slot in Malaysian GP
SEPANG: Young motorsports talent Hakim Danish Ramli has a chance to secure a wildcard slot to race in Moto3 this season at this year's Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia on Oct 24-26. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had said that the 17-year-old has the opportunity to benefit from the National Sports Trust Fund (KWASN) grant if he achieves positive results in the two championships he is participating in this season.
New Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Hakim could get Moto3 wild card ride
KUALA LUMPUR: Rider Hakim Danish Ramli could get a wild card to race in Moto3 this season at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia on Oct 24-26. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had said that the 17-year-old has the opportunity to benefit from the National Sports Trust Fund (KWASN) if he shines in two championships this season. The Terengganu-born rider currently leads the Red Bull Rookies series after securing runner-up finishes in both race one and race two at the curtain raiser in the Jerez Circuit, last week. Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said they still have plenty of time to get Hakim the wild card. "Hakim is leading the championship at the moment, we will try to get him the slot. "It's a good start for him but still too early to tell. "He has to be consistent throughout the whole year," said Azhan Shafriman at the Malaysia Touring Car Championships (MTCC) press conference in Sepang. "The rule of thumb is that we can announce the wild card slot 45 days before the race date itself. "We have been in discussion with Dorna Sports (MotoGP rights holders) and ZK Racing (Hakim Danish's team). Meanwhile Azhan said the MTCC, which will be held this weekend, will see a total of 82 cars on the track, with the F4 Southeast Asia Championship returning to the grid, alongside the Asia Classic Car Challenge/Caterham. In addition, the Porsche Sprint Challenge Indonesia is making its debut as the Companion Series. "MTCC is more than a name change, it represents a purposeful evolution of the Championship. "We have redefined the Championship with clearer classes, updated technical regulations, and a stronger focus on turbocharged cars to keep up with global motorsport trends. "With 53 entries already confirmed for Round 1, we are off to a strong start," he said.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Moto3 seat awaits Hakim Danish but he must 'prove himself' first, says Sepang boss
KUALA LUMPUR: Hakim Danish has a seat waiting for him in the Moto3 category of the World Motorcycle Championships next season but he will have to achieve certain key performance indicators (KPI) this season to secure it. Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif disclosed that ZK Racing - who have been contracted to lead SIC's two-wheel motorsports development programme - have already secured a seat in Moto3 with Frinsa-MT Helmets-MSI for the 2026 season. Shafriman said the seat is essentially Hakim's to lose. The 17-year-old is competing in Junior GP as well as the Red Bull Rookies (RBR) series this season. "There is already a seat ready for him in Moto3 with MT Helmets. He is the frontrunner (for the seat), however, we expect him to earn it," said Shafriman today (April 23). "He must show good performances this year, otherwise it would not be fair to the other riders who could also be considered for this opportunity. "We expect him to finish top-five (overall) in Junior GP and top-three in the RBR series. "Hopefully with guidance from Zulfahmi Khairuddin (ZK Racing boss), he will be able to perform well this season so we can once again have a Malaysian as a full-season rider in the World Championships next year." Hakim finished sixth overall in RBR and was 15th overall in Junior GP last year. Syarifuddin Azman was the last Malaysian to compete as a full-season rider in the World Championships. He raced in Moto3 with MT Helmets in 2023 but found it hard to make an impact and lost his seat for the 2024 season. Shafriman added that SIC and KBS will look to provide support for Hakim if he does make the step up to Moto3 next season. "So far there has not been any final word from MT Helmets whether we have to pay for the Moto3 seat," said Shafriman. "I have heard that there will be a fee but whether that will be absorbed by MT Helmets or us has not been finalised." Shafriman added that SIC will also look to secure a wildcard slot in the lightweight class of the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia - better known as MotoGP Malaysia - which will be held on Oct 24-26. "That (wildcard for Hakim) is the plan," said Shafriman. Shafriman was speaking after attending a letter of understanding (LoU) signing with Aeon Credit Service (M) Berhad in Kuala Lumpur today. The partnership between SIC and Aeon Credit will see the latter playing a key role in the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia as well as the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) this year.
