Malaysian Super Series Bikes – Round 2 – Race 2_Hilmi Takes Second Win for Double Victory at SIC Ninja Cup

Setting the benchmark for the SIC Ninja 250 Cup, Hilmi Affan Abdul Malek today won Race 2 of the series at Sepang Circuit; making him a double winner for the round and the man to beat for the championship. Leading from start to finish, today’s race, however, was more challenging as compared to Race 1 yesterday as the cub prix rider had to fend off the challenge from Muhammad Amar Hafiq Rauzan and Has Fauzan Hassan before in the last few laps before finally taking the chequered flag in the 8-lap contest. Watched by key officials of the series’ partners including Andrea Cleric, who is Pirelli Director for Asia and Jeffrey Lim, the General Manager of Kawasaki Malaysia, the 19-year old rider from Johor completed the race in 22 minutes 21.478 seconds and 0.262 seconds ahead of Muhammad Ammar, who finished the race in 22 minutes 21.740 seconds. 
Has Fauzan, who like Hilmi and Muhammad Amar are also competing in the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship, took 22 minutes 25.236 seconds after going wide in the last turn as he pushed the Kawasaki Ninja machine to the limit. All three are competing in the junior category of the series.
The Open category was topped by former Kawasaki Cup 150cc rider Abdul Wafi Hassan, who finished fourth overall in the race. Sole lady rider, Siti Norafizah Mohamad, who is competing in the junior category, finished fifth overall and fourth in class.
Speaking at a press conference after the race, Hilmi said he owed his success to the three Baharuddin brothers of BikeArt Racing – Ahmad Zamani, Ahmad Fuad and Ahmas Nashrul – who are providing the training for the riders.
While Ahmad Zamani is a two-time champion in the Superstock Championship, Ahmad Fuad is a former 600cc Supersports champion as well as a former cub prix overall winner. Ahmad Nashrul, on the other hand, won the 135cc Production Bike Championship twice and is currently competing with Ahmad Fuad in the Asia Road Racing Championship.
Hilmi added: “The win for this round will definitely give me more confidence in the following rounds. I hope I can continue and maintain my form throughout the championship. Having said that, I must admit that there’s plenty that I need to learn and I am here to learn.
Crashed out after five laps in the opening race yesterday, Muhammad Ammar said that he had stronger confidence in today’s race; but admitted that he took a cautious approach in the opening laps.
Has Fauzan, who took second place in the opening round, said he was happy with his overall performance for the round and hoped that he would do better in Round 2, which would be held from September 14 to 16 during Round 3 of the MSS Bike Championship.
Speaking at the press conference, Cleric said Pirelli was proud to be associated with SIC and the MSS as well as in providing the competition tyres for the SIC Ninja 250 Cup. 
Launched last Sunday, the SIC Ninja 250 Cup is another effort by Sepang International Circuit (SIC) to search for talents for selection to compete at against the world’s best Moto3 riders at the 2013 Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in Sepang as wildcard riders. Operated by BikeArt Racing, the series is also supported by Motorsports Association of Malaysia, AGV Helmets and Dainese, which is providing racing gears for the riders.  
MALAYSIAN SUPER SERIES
SIC NINJA 250 CUP (8 laps)
Results Race 2 – Sepang Circuit (5.543km)
SIC Ninja Cup (Junior)
1. Hilmi Affan Abdul Malik                        22:21.478s
2. Muhammad Ammar Hafiq Rauzan    22:21.740s
3. Has Fauzan Hassan                               22:25.236s
4. Siti Norafizah Muhamad                       22:30.432s
5. Husni AizatAbdul Malik                        22:30.721s
6. Khairul Iman Ramli                               22:35.951s
7. Muhammad Muzakkir Mohamed      22:53.939s
8. Hazlanshah Mohd Noor                       23:14.219s
9. Azrul Shazwan Azlan                            23:14.221s

SIC Ninja Cup (Open)
1. Abd Wafi Hassan              22:30.207s
2. Muhammad Fazli Mansuar   23:00.985s
3. Mohd Sharil Zulkifli                 23:01.488s
4. Adam Muza Muhayen         23:14.655s
5. Mohamad Radzi Saidin        23:14.979s
6. Tengku Marwaan Tengku Mansor  23:28.290s
7. Chen Yee Choong                  23:29.874s
8. Adli Mohamed Zakaria          23:46.862s
9. Raymond Philips                     23:47.138s
For more details, contact SIC National Press Officer Norlina Ayob at +603 87782280 or e-mail to [email protected]