SEPANG, March 3 — Malaysia’s sole representative in the World Motorcycle Championship Syarifuddin Azman needs more time to make a name for himself in the Moto3 class this season, said national Moto2 ace Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman.
He believes that Syarifuddin or better known as Damok can scale greater heights if all parties give the MTHelmets-MSI team rider ample space to prove his mettle in his first full season this year.
“To me, Damok has very high potential to become a world-class rider. He just needs to be given sufficient time to feel comfortable and be in his element in the championship.
“Damok will surely succeed if he can just hang in there in the Moto3 class,” Azlan told reporters after the launch of the 2023 Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) here.
Syarifudin made his maiden appearance in Moto3 in 2021 on a wildcard ticket when representing PETRONAS Sprinta Racing and finished in 13th spot at the Aragon Grand Prix (GP) in Alcaniz, Spain.
He then made four more appearances, also on a wildcard ticket, the following season by racing in the Portugal, Spain, Catalunya and Malaysia GPs.
The 2023 World Motorcycle Championship will rev off at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal from March 24 to March 26.
Meanwhile, Azlan said he is ready to give it his best as he seeks to emerge as the overall champion in the 2023 Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) after he could only finish seventh last season with 82 points.
The ARRC comprises six rounds, with Round One to be held at the Chang International Circuit Buriram in Thailand from March 24 to March 26; Round Two at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from May 12 to May 14; Round Three at the Sportsland Sugo International Circuit in Japan from June 23 to June 25; Round Four (venue to be confirmed) from August 11 to August 13; Round Five at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China from October 6 to October 8 and Round Six at the Chang International Circuit Buriram from December 1 to December 3.
On the MSF, Azlan feels that it is a very important event on the country’s motorsports calendar as it gives amateur riders the chance to compete against the professionals.
A total of five race categories will be contested, namely the Malaysian SuperMoto Championship, Malaysia Saga Cup Championship, MSF Touge Hill Climb Series, MSF SuperTurismo and MSF Superbikes in the MSF, which will be held from March 5 to Nov 5 at several locations, including at the SIC.
— Bernama
