(From left) Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, Shinichi Nakatomi and Katsuaki Fujiwara posing for the camera after their SuperSports 600cc class podium finish at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan yesterday.
PETALING JAYA: Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman’s motor-racing career is finally taking off.
The 29-year-old Malaysian will compete in the Moto2 class of the world championship, starting with the San Marino Grand Prix on Sept 15. There are six legs remaining after yesterday’s British Grand Prix.
For two consecutive years in 2010 and 2011, Azlan was overlooked for the wild-card spot in the Malaysian GP. But Azlan’s performance in the Petronas Asia Road Racing Championships (ARRC) has caught the eye of Honda’s top guns and they have included him in a new team – Honda Team Asia – for the world championship.
Azlan, who rides for Musashi Boon Siew Honda in the ARRC, was elated with the news.
“This is a dream come true for. I have worked hard for this opportunity,” said Azlan, who finished twice on the podium in yesterday’s fourth round of the ARRC at the Suzuka Circuit. He finished second in Race One and third in Race Two.
“There are many parties to thank in my journey as a rider – my family for their support, the Malaysian media, the fans and, of course, Boon Siew Honda for investing so much in my development,” added the 29-year-old.
Azlan has been consistently chalking up impressive results over the past few years. He won the Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix title (CP130) in 2012 and finished sixth in the gruelling Suzuka 8-Hour World Endurance Championship in July this year. He is currently the championship leader in the SuperSports 600cc category in the ARRC with eight podium finishes in four rounds.
Musashi Boon Siew Honda team director Datuk Seri Tan Hui Jing said Azlan was selected to ride in the Moto2 on merit.
“We would like to emphasise that we are not paying Honda Team Asia to give the seat to Azlan. Instead, he has been offered the opportunity solely on merit,” he said.
