Nazirul ready to take on his buddy and toughest rival Akid

Mohd Akid Aziz (left), Nazirul Izzat Bahauddin (right)

LOMBOK: Familiar foes on the circuit but good friends off it.

Nazirul Izzat Bahauddin does not plan to go easy on his buddy Mohd Akid Aziz, who is also his strongest competitor, as they compete in Race 2 of Round 4 of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) today.

Competing in the Underbone 150 category, Nazirul of the Uma Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team won by a whisker after completing Race 1, which comprises eight laps, in 15:36.338 at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia, yesterday.

It was a thrilling race as both Nazirul and Akid from Cardinals Factory Racing Team ARRC, clocked in the same time.

The latter, however, had to settle for second place after the replay showed that the former’s front tyre crossed the finishing line first.

Filipino John Emerson Inguito of 451M Evo Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team was third with a time of 15:36.675.

Nazirul is pleased with his achievement and hopes to perform better in today’s race.

“Alhamdulillah, the win is a blessing from Allah,” said Nazirul, who is aiming to finish on the podium again in Race 2 today.

“I would like to thank my team, who worked really hard throughout this week to prepare my machine, my family and friends, who have been supporting and praying for me.

“It was a tough race because there were 33 riders in the fray but I managed to stay focused and charged forward until the end of the race.

“Akid and I are enemies on the track, but we’re friends off it.

“Instead of talk tough, I just want to find the best solution to perform better and win the race tomorrow.

“He (Akid) may have a new plan for tomorrow’s (today’s) race, so I will analyse and revise my strategy.”

It was a strong showing by Nazirul after failing to finish in the top three in both free practice sessions on Friday and qualifying round yesterday morning.