Latest news with #SepangInternationalCircuit
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Hakim Danish dedicates Aragon win to all Malaysians
KUALA LUMPUR: Motorcycle racer Hakim Danish Ramli is on track to becoming the first-ever Malaysian to win the Red Bull Rookies Cup title. With the season nearing the halfway mark, Hakim consolidated his position atop the championship standings after winning his first race of the season in Aragon, Spain (race two) yesterday (June 8). The 17-year-old now has 125 points to his name. Spanish duo Brian Uriarte (95 points) and Benat Fernandez (63 points) are second and third in the championship. Hakim dedicated his victory in Aragon, Spain to all Malaysians. Uriarte (+0.188s) and David Gonzalez (+0.195s) finished second and third in race two. "Obviously I'm really happy to win the race as it was quite challenging," said Hakim. "My tyre grip was fading so I had to manage it carefully and try my best to remain patient while staying with the lead group. "On the second last lap I made a mistake and forgot to downshift one more gear. I got overtaken and went down to seventh position. "I quickly focused on catching up and during the last corner was able to get on the throttle earlier and hit the line first. "Thank you to everyone who has supported me, this win is for all Malaysians." With four rounds and eight races remaining this season, the championship fight is far from over though Hakim's consistent performances this season will put pressure on his rivals. The Terengganu-born finished second in all his first five races of the season before winning yesterday. The Red Bull Rookies Cup is one of the key feeder series for the Moto3 World Championship. Former champions in the series who have gone on to shine include Johann Zarco, Jorge Martin and Pedro Acosta, among others Last month Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif disclosed that Hakim essentially has a seat waiting for him in Moto3 next season but must first prove himself worthy of the slot. Hakim is a product of SIC's two-wheel talent development programme which is run by ZK Racing. Mugello will host the next round of the Red Bull Rookies Cup on June 21-22.
Independent Singapore
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Independent Singapore
Singapore-registered Mercedes crashes at 229km/h in Sepang: 'There's no brake' — driver heard shouting before impact
MALAYSIA: A high-speed crash involving a Singapore-registered Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit has gone viral after an in-car video showing the dramatic moment of impact surfaced online. The video, believed to have been filmed from inside the luxury sports car, captures a chilling sequence: the vehicle completing several laps around the track before suddenly colliding into a barrier. Moments before the collision, the driver can be heard shouting, 'Oh…, there's no brake!' Two individuals were in the vehicle at the time of the crash. According to a May 19 Facebook post by Azman Nor, the car's owner, a Singaporean, was in the passenger seat, while an experienced race driver was behind the wheel. Azman claimed that the vehicle travelled at 229km/h when the brakes failed, with the impact occurring at approximately 180km/h. The driver, he said, suffered spinal injuries and was subsequently hospitalised. 'Let's all pray that he makes a full recovery. He did very well to manage the situation,' Azman wrote, expressing concern for the driver's condition. See also PAP unveils four more new candidates for GE 2020 It is unclear when exactly the accident occurred, and at the time of this writing, neither Sepang Raceway nor local authorities have issued an official statement. The video has sparked conversations online about safety protocols during track days and the maintenance of high-performance vehicles used in such events.
Malay Mail
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Malaysian teen racer Hakim Danish eyes glory at Le Mans after double podium start in Spain
KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — Local motorsports sensation Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli will be gunning for his first title this season in the second round of the MotoGP Rookies Cup at Le Mans Circuit in France this weekend. The 17-year-old is set to use the historic circuit to show his capabilities and determination in making his dreams come true at the global stage following his double podium win at the first round at Jerez Circuit in Spain last month, ZK Racing said in a statement today. 'The year 2025 is an important time in Hakim Danish's career with a high target from Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Racing, led by Zulfahmi Khairuddin. 'His performance in the Junior GP World Championship and MotoGP Rookies Cup will play a big role in determining his future, including a potential wildcard to the MalaysianGP this October,' the team said. Hakim Danish started off the 2025 season well when he finished second in race 1 and 2 of the Rookies Cup first round at Jerez Circuit. He then continued his winning ways at Estoril Circuit in Portugal by finishing second in the opening JuniorGP race. — Bernama
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
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
SIC boss hopes homegrown Hakim can boost Malaysian GP turnout
KUALA LUMPUR: Azhan Shafriman Hanif is hoping Hakim Danish Ramli's presence in the Moto3 World Motorcycle Championships - either as a wildcard this year or a full-season rider next season - will help boost ticket sales at the circuit. The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer last week confirmed that Hakim, 17, essentially has a seat waiting for him at Frinsa-MT Helmets-MSI for the 2026 season but must hit certain key performance indicators in the Junior GP and Red Bull Rookies series this year to secure it. He said that Hakim could also be given a wildcard to race in Moto3 this season at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia on Oct 24-26. "The goal has always been to put a Malaysian rider back in the world championships as a full-season rider," said Shafriman recently. "Our plan is to get Hakim to race on a wildcard in the Malaysian GP this year but this will depend on his performances this season as well as the funding that is available. "This (wildcard) is to allow us to evaluate his performances when racing against the current Moto3 riders. "We also hope his inclusion in Moto3 will encourage more Malaysians to come out and support him at the Sepang. "We have seen other Asian countries placing their riders in world championships (and boosting race attendances at their home GPs). Hopefully we can do the same here. "We targeted 200,000 fans (over three days) at the Malaysian GP last year but we got 185,000. Hopefully we can achieve that goal this season." The Malaysian GP attracted record crowds over three days for the past two years with 182,912 turning up for the event in 2023 and 184,923 last year. Hakim became the first Malaysian rider to win the Asian Talent Cup title in 2022 and has been dubbed as an "outstanding talent" by former Moto3 rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin. Zulfahmi, via his company ZK Racing, has been overseeing Hakim's development since the latter won the inaugural SIC MiniGP championships in 2020.
