Latest news with #Shafriman
New Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
SIC give touring car championships much needed refresh, turbo era begins
KUALA LUMPUR: In a bid to boost interest and excitement in the competition, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has implemented wholesale changes to the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) and have even changed its name this season. MCS - which is essentially the national championships for touring car racing in Malaysia - has now been rebranded and is called the Malaysia Touring Car Championships (MTCC) this year. The series will run at Sepang from May 2-Sep 7 (four rounds). SIC have placed a greater emphasis on clearer vehicle classification and have also allowed for turbocharged cars to compete this season. For the 2025 season, only race-prepped production model based cars will be allowed to compete. Newer models such as the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ also have their own class to compete in. This is to open up the championships to new talent. The Touring Production class will this season feature a single-driver format while in the MT2 category, Grade A drivers will face pit stop penalties to make the racing more balanced and exciting for competitors and spectators alike. SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif is hoping the changes make the series more exciting. "We are not just changing the name, we are positioning the championships for bigger and better things," said Shafriman recently. "I believe this new format will make the racing even more intense and exciting for both drivers and fans. "We had a record 67 entries last year and are hoping to have 80 cars on the grid (this season)." The series began as the Malaysian Super Series (MSS) in 2002 before being rebranded as MCS in 2015. The series, however, struggled to attract fans over the past decade. The introduction of turbocharged cars comes as no surprise as many modern production cars use smaller capacity engines with turbochargers to improve fuel consumption and meet emissions regulations. HI-REV Dream Chaser won a hat-trick of MCS titles from 2022-2024 and it will be interesting to see if they can continue their dominance this season.\
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.
