Cub Prix: Fitri hoping third time's a charm

PETALING JAYA: Rider Mohd Fitri Ashraf Razali is excited about the upcoming 2014 Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship which kicks off at Stadium Batu Kawan, Penang, this weekend, where he hopes to finally win his first premiere class title.

The Harian Metro Y-TEQ SCK Honda Racing rider is looking forward to his third year in the CP130 category, after last season's fourth overall placing behind now retired defending champion Ahmad Fuad Baharudin, Norizman Ismail and Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi.

“I am absolutely ready to become a serious title contender this year. I want to make SCK proud by joining the list of champions the team have produced and with two years of experience under my belt combined with strong team support, I don't see any reason why I can't,” he added.

Having made his debut in the CP130 in 2012, the 19-year old proved his mettle in the Asia Dream Cup that runs concurrently with the Asia Road Racing Championship. His performance has earned him a ride in the highly-competitive SuperSports 600cc class this season.

Despite his impressive achievements, Fitri stressed that he will need to depend on team-mates Norizman Ismail, Mohd Zamri Baba and Ahmad Fazrul Sham to make his dream a reality.

“This year there will be 17 riders on the grid and although Fuad, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman and Mohd Ramdan Rosli are no longer competing, I still believe the title chase will be an uphill battle.

“In that sense, I need to co-operate with my team-mates. For sure, they are hoping to clinch the title too but until the moment comes, we will work together and put the team first by making sure we get on the podium in every round.”

Fitri is confident that his team have what it takes to be in front in the opening race as Batu Kawan has a lot of straights which works in their favour.