WSBK Malaysia 2016 returns for a third instalment this year with SIC playing host once again.
The Malaysian leg of the FIM Motul World Superbike Championship 2016 Malaysia round (WSBK Malaysia 2016) was officially launched earlier today by hosts Sepang International Circuit (SIC). WSBK Malaysia 2016 marks the event’s third annual instalment since 2013 whilst also standing as the circuit’s first major racing event of the year following its scheduled closure for upgrades and resurfacing works.
Present during the launch ceremony held in Saloma Bistro, KL were the circuit’s CEO Datuk Razlan Razali and national World Supersport Championship (WSSP) rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin. Besides the display of several road-going superbikes and Zulfahmi’s very own Orelac Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-6R WSSP race machine, the national rider present took part in the special launch gambit using a pocket bike whilst being accompanied by a group of kids who race pocket bikes.
WSBK Malaysia 2016 is scheduled to run from May 13 to May 15 this year for Round 6 of its championship. SIC has already initiated special programs to boost ticket sales for the upcoming event including special ‘Early Bird’ discounts and more.
Whilst normal ticket prices range between RM38.16 and RM387.96, the special ‘Early Bird’ ticket promotion is on-going until March 31. It offers discounts for grandstand tickets with prices ranging from RM79.50 to RM197.16. A special grandstand section for Zulfahmi fans called the Fahmi 63 Tribune has been arranged as well, and you refer to the chart we’ve prepared below for more details, or visit the circuit’s official website, sepangcircuit.com.
Shortly after the launch ceremony, Datuk Razlan expressed his confidence that the circuit will host more spectators this year. Datuk Razlan states that the circuit aims to increase last year’s total figure of 22,664 spectators across its three-day course up by a modest 5% this time round.
Interestingly, he added:
“Although we already have a full-time national rider competing in the WSSP category, we (SIC) are also in the midst of negotiating the entry of another national rider as a wildcard for WSBK Malaysia 2016.”
No hints were given as to who this unnamed candidate is, but the exec did say that an announcement will be made as soon as negotiations between the circuit, the unnamed candidate’s current racing team and WSBK officials are done.
On top of the WSBK and WSSP races, fans can also look forward to the action and thrills from its support event, which is Round 3 of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup Moto3 series. The series currently features two Malaysian riders in the form of Ahmad Idham Khairuddin, who happens to be Zulfahmi’s own younger sibling, as well as rookie Izam Ikmal. Also planned are an assortment of off-track activities that should keep fans entertained in between races as well.
Presently, the WSBK 2016 season has progressed with much excitement after just two rounds. Round 3 of the championship is scheduled to take place in Aragon, Spain from April 1 to April 13. Riders from the Kawasaki Racing Team currently lead the championship standings starting with defending WSBK world champion Jonathan Rea who has scored 95 points so far, followed by his teammate and former WSBK champion Tom Sykes in second with 65 points.
In the supporting WSSP category sees yet another Kawasaki rider leading the standings in the form of Swiss rider Randy Krummenacher from the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing outfit. National rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin, on the other hand, currently ranks 11th in the standings after picking 12 points.
