Monday, Jan 20, 2009

SPEED, skills and the scorching hot sun tests the competing youngsters as Junior GP RS50 2008 comes to an end.

A whole lot of fun and laughs, some tears and most importantly quality racing were among the factors of a successful finale to the 2008/09 Junior GP Racing Dream programme which was held at the Sepang Go-Kart Circuit on Sunday. The seven budding riders who attended the five weekend three month programme between November to January were put to the final test after learning the proper riding and racing skills under qualified coaches.

However, all is not over yet. All seven are likely to have sleepless nights till February 6 on when selectors will announce their two best riders who will be fully sponsored to race in this year’s RS125 Challenge Cup.

“I am very proud to be part of the Junior GP programme. Previously, I’ve only raced in pocket bikes but learning the correct technique in a GP bike was like a dream come true,” said one of the programme’s best student, Tengku Amirul Tengku Hanafi. “Racing is different for me now as I have learning so many more details about how to handle a bike. I will cherish this knowledge and use it to the best of my ability,” added the 12-year-old.

“I really enjoyed myself. Junior GP was tougher than I thought it would be but I am so happy I was part of it,” said Fatin, 13. “If there is an opportunity to join the Junior GP once again, I won’t hesitate to,” she added.

“The first half of the programme, we were all learning as much as we could but as it progressed everyone was having so much fun and by the last weekend, the competition was close that we know any one of us could be one of the two riders to be selected,” said another fast student Mohd Zahqwan Zaidi.

The best two riders and one reserve will be selected to race in the Junior category of the RS 125cc Challenge Cup held with the Malaysian Super Series this year. If he or she proves to be a model student in the RS125 Junior class, the rider will earn a trip to Spain for the “Red Bull Rookies 2009 Final Rider Selection” in November.

Also present to witness the closing ceremony was Motorsports Association of Malaysia’s CEO Mia Sharizman Ismail..

The selection for the third year intake of 2009 is scheduled to take place in August this year with the programme running during the year-end school holidays. Applications will be open from 1st February.

For further press information you can contact Ghaz Ramli at 016-2430848 or log onto www.aprilia.com.my/juniorgp