Selangor boy Muhamad Habibullah bin Mohd Saleh (Gabit) took top spot of the 2017 Malaysian SuperMoto Championship (MSMC) – Round 2 in front of a spectacular 35,000 audience at Taman Tasik Permaisuri.
The show-stopping performance by 70 of the nation’s top SuperMoto riders around the 800-metres customised track left spectators with a vivid experience over the 2-days free admission race.
In the end, Gabit, Mohamad Khairi Zakaria (Hairy) and Mohamad Khuzaini bin Mahmood filled the top three podium spot for the professional category, the SM Open class. Prizes and trophies were presented by YBhg. Datuk Rizalman bin Dato’ Mokhtar, City Advisory Board Member of Kuala Lumpur.
Winning rider from the SM Open class also received an automatic entry to a spot at one of the upcoming regional races in the 2017 FIM Asia Supermoto Championship.
“It was an eye opening race by budding and professional athletes. I have also witnessed our young riders’ potential in the two-wheel motorsports industry. Our country holds the potential to ace the international motorsports scene should the right channel be implemented to nurture these talents.
With the growing interest towards motorsports in Malaysia, it is important that we embrace the growing culture and transform it into an economic advantage for the country. This will lead to the birth of an industry that will benefit Malaysia in the long run,” – Datuk Rizalman.
The 2017 MSMC series consists of five classes – SM Open, SM Novice, SM CKD Open, SM CKD and SM Veteran. Participants are required to obtain an official license by AAM to compete in any of the categories.
The scorching sun added heat to the track when Gabit stole the show in both Moto 1 and Moto 2 for the SM Open category. The combined race between SM Open and SM Veteran did not stop his eagerness to speed through the finish line with a completion time of 11:21.960 and (TIME) for both race respectively.
Both Gabit and Hairy put on a stunning show for the spectators with a close battle between both former champions for regional championship – FIM Asia Supermoto Championship. The neck-to-neck battle with well-polished skills were no match for riders in the same category.
Riding with an injured wrist, Gabit persevered through Moto 1 with a few instances cornered and overtook by Hairy. The tension and pressure that ran through his mind led him to focus despite the pain that disrupts his focus. The 0.4 seconds gap in the first race woken his conscious to steal the title in the second race.
In Moto 2, Gabit went wild with his KTM motorcycle, showing incredible acceleration with a few instances of almost slipping off the track at the off-road section. With vast experience and the necessary skills, he led the race and widen the gap, leaving Hairy no opportunity for the top podium spot.
For more information, visit MSMC’s Facebook at Malaysian SuperMoto Championship or Instagram at @malaysiansupermotochampionship.
The Malaysian SuperMoto Championship is organised by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, in partnership with Asia Supersports Group, Ultra Blue Sdn Bhd, E-Plus Global Sdn Bhd and Yayasan Bakti Tun Razak.
The race is sanctioned by the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM); supported by the Ministry of Federal Territories and the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau.
