KUALA LUMPUR: Motorsport is indeed fraught with a high risk of fatal accidents and serious injuries, but the spectre is not an obstacle for youngster Qabil Irfan Azlan who wants to make a name for himself as a champion in the sport.
Despite falling and sustaining injuries several times, the 11-year-old still dares to brave the adrenaline surge and excitement of riding a motorcycle at high speed.
"I have fallen many times, the worst was during the MiniGP Malaysia Series at the Tangkak Circuit last year when I suffered injuries and swelling," said Qabil, who started racing at the age of four by using a pocket bike.
"But I was not traumatised and the pain was only momentary. When I was able to race again, it (the pain) was gone," said the 142-cm tall racer during an interview with Bernama today (November 7).
Qabil is one of five young riders who will represent the country at the 2023 FIM MiniGP World Series in Valencia, Spain, from November 21-23.
The other youngsters competing in the World Series are Muhammad Farish Hafiy, 15, who will race in the 2023 Asia Talent Cup (ATC) on Friday (November 10). Meanwhile, Farres Putra, 15, and Emil Idhzar Ezuan, 16, will ride in the 190cc category as Muhammad Airel Marzuki, 11, will compete in the 160cc category with Qabil from November 21-23.
Qabil, who will be competing in the World Series for the second time after finishing fourth overall (in the riders championship) last year, is excited to be back competing with riders from other countries, especially Europe, and is confident that he can do better than last year.
Meanwhile, former national Moto3 rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin, who is the coach to the young talents, hopes that all five racers will be able to do their best and earn podium finishes.
"I hope all the riders can compete in the front group and fight to get on the podium in one of the races, be it race 1, race 2 or the Super Final later," he said.
He said he did not want to set a very high target that would put pressure on the racers, saying that all of them had been selected based on their performance in the five rounds of the Malaysian MiniGP organised by the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and the Motor Sports Association of Malaysia (MAM).
The 2023 MiniGP World Series will see participation by racers who have excelled in 17 series in their home countries, namely Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, United Kingdom, United States and Alpe Adria (Motorcycle Union).
The MiniGP World Series is a race introduced by the International Motorcycle Federation (FIM) in 2021 as the first step on the Road to MotoGP. It includes two racing classes, namely 160cc for riders aged 10-14 years-old and 190cc for riders 12-16 years-old. – Bernama
