Speedster Azroy wins Race 1 after close duel with Kasma

Stamping his mark: Azroy Hakeem Anuar posing with the trophy after winning Race 1.

PETALING JAYA: Rider Azroy Hakeem Anuar roared his way to a second victory in the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship after winning Race 1 at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday.

Azroy crossed the line with a time of 21:20.752s, with Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin just 0.019s behind in second place.

Azroy’s teammate at Honda Racing Malaysia, Mohd Helmi Azman, took third with his time of 21:21.127s.

It was his second win, having triumphed at Race 2 in the opening round last month at the circuit.

Starting third on the grid, Azroy overtook Kasma on the sixth lap for the lead with Helmi close behind, and a lap later, they had created an eight-second gap to the chasing group.

With the battle between Azroy and Kasma heating up, it came down to the final turn when Azroy reclaimed the lead and both riders raced side by side to the finish line.

“The weather was hot and the race was tough,” said Azroy.

“I experienced rear brake issues midway through, which slowed me down. But with a few laps left, I pushed through.

“I wasn’t sure if I could win against Kasma in the final lap, but I gave it a shot, and luck was on my side,” he said.

RACE 1 RESULTS

MSBK1000 A: 1. Azroy Hakeem Anuar (Honda Racing Malaysia) 21:20.752, 2. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia) 21:20.771, 3. Mohd Helmi Azman (Honda Racing Malaysia) 21:21.771.

MSBK1000 B: 1. Kamarul Izad Ishak (Koyak Design Luqmanan by Zynergy Racing) 23:02.571, 2. Law Kien Huey (Malaysia) 23:06.977, 3. Theva Kumaran (Mobilub Suzuki Racing Team) 23:36.016.

MSBK 600: 1. Khairul Idham Pawi (Honda Racing Malaysia) 22:06.553, 2. Mohd Irfan Haykhal Amidi (Honda Racing Malaysia) 22:21.492, 3. Cao Viet Nam (Honda Racing Vietnam) 22:29.254.

MSBK250 A: 1. Ahmad Afif Amran (Superfast JRT X Rapido) 19:40.458, 2. Mohd Akid Aziz (Superfast JRT X Rapido) 19:40.536, 3. Irfan Ardiansyah (Maeztro NWN SCK Honda Racing) 19L40.459.

MSBK250 B: 1. Qayyim Razin Razali (Horizon Racing Team) 20:18.754, 2. Huang Pin Hung (Triple A Garage) 20:38.517, 3. Saidatul Zakirah Zairin (Lady Boss Racing Team) 20:55.486.