CP150 rider Afif records fastest lap in Sepang meet opener

Ahmad Afif Amran

PETALING JAYA: CP150 rider Ahmad Afif Amran (pic) of Petronas Sprinta Yamaha CKJ Racing sprang a surprise by recording the fastest lap in the opening round of the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship at the Sepang International Circuit (North) yesterday.

Afif led after posting the fastest time of 1:18:119s in the first qualifying session to beat two former world championship riders into second and third respectively.

Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor took the second place with a time of 1:18:205s while Mohd Helmi Azman of Maeztro SCK Honda Racing Team was placed third with a fastest time of 1:18:544s.

Rain poured during the second qualifying session and limited the riders from going full throttle.

Mohd Idil Fitri Mahadi of Jetron Yamaha YY Pang Racing Team was fastest in 1:22:058s but failed to beat the benchmark set by Ahmad earlier in the day.

Afif was confirmed as the fastest rider overall while Kasma and Helmi followed in second and third places respectively.

“Today was a good start to the season. From practice 1 to qualifying, I remained in the top three positions,” said Afif.

“During the second qualifying session, we tried adjusting the suspension setup and bike handling to make it more stable, but we didn’t have enough time to test it fully as the track was wet, so we couldn’t achieve the optimal setup.

“I hope the weather stays dry for the race tomorrow (today),” added Afif.

QUALIFYING TIMES

CP150: 1. Ahmad Afif Amran (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha CKJ Racing) 1:18:119, 2. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor) 1:18:205, 3. Mohd Helmi Azman (Maeztro SCK Honda Racing Team) 1:18:544.

CP125: 1. Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak (Jetron Yamaha YY Pang Racing Team) 1:32:148, 2. Mohd Izam Ikmal Izamli (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha CKJ Racing 1:33:955, 3. Mohd Shafiq Ezzariq (Jetron Yamaha YY Pang Racing Team 1:33:997.

WIRA KBS: 1. Mohd Akid Mohd Shah Khearul Nisiam (Yamaha Estremo 27 Racing) 1:35:800, 2. Ahmad Iqram Danish Ahmad Ghazali (MBI Selangor EXN Axla) 1:35:875, 3. Mohd Syahmi Aiman Shafie (Yamaha Estremo 27 Racing (1:36:107).