Malaysia’s Moto3 rider, Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin, with the guidance and support of SIC Racing’s experienced team manager, Johan Stigefelt, is looking good to regain his glory days when the new season begins.
Riding for the all-new and exciting SIC Racing Team, Zulfahmi, whose exploits included a sensational podium finish in 2012, has been working closely with his new manager and team.
“They are working very well together and Zulfahmi is already showing very positive signs. The Stiggy factor next season is the boost Zulfahmi needs to get back on track,” said SIC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Razlan Razali.
“As a former top rider himself with experience competing at the highest level, Johan has the skills and knowledge to help Fahmi rebuild his confidence and come out a much stronger rider in the new season.”
Fondly known as Stiggy, the Swedish rider has 20 years of racing experience and as a team manager has a record of 37 podium finishes with his riders since 2006. He began motorcycle racing at the age of 17 and was twice winner of the Swedish 125cc Championship. In 1998, he started his first
full year in Grand Prix, riding in both the 250cc and 500cc World Championships.
A natural progression saw Johan form his own motorcycle race team in 2005, which competed successfully in the World Supersport and Superbike Championship for five years. In 2010, he became team manager for RW Racing, competing in the Moto3 Championship. He finished runner-up in 2012 with Luis Salom.
Razlan added: “Stiggy has shown his capability with the Caterham Moto2 Team. It is not easy for a new team to make its mark but Stiggy managed to do it with Caterham in the 2014 season.”
“Just look at Zarco’s performance. Zarco was always there among the leading riders at all of the races.” For the record, Johann Zarco scored four podium finishes in the 2014 season to finish sixth overall with 146 points.
“I am confident Stiggy will create a similar impact on Zulfahmi and Jakub Kornfeil this season. I just can’t wait for when our very own SIC Racing Team makes its debut in Qatar,” added Razlan.
Running for 18 rounds again, the 2015 season-opening Qatar Grand Prix starts with two days of free practice on March 26 and 27. Qualifying is the following day on March 28, while the race will take place in the evening of March 29.
Sepang will host the penultimate leg and Round 17 from Oct 23 to 25 as the Silver Jubilee celebrations and the 25th edition of the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix. As in previous years, the season concludes with the Valencia Grand Prix in Spain on Nov 8.
Twelfth overall last year and seventh in the preceding 2012 season, Zulfahmi dropped to 20th in the 2014 Moto3 Championship as he struggled with his Honda and a shoulder injury sustained during pre-season testing.
Meanwhile, Kornfeil finished 12th overall when he collected a total of 97 points in 2014. The Moto3 Championship was topped by Spain’s Alex Marquez, who earned 278 points, edging Australian Jack Miller by two points.
“Apart from having a full-time team to assist him and Kornfeil, Fahmi will be boosted with the confidence of returning to a KTM machine. I’m sure he will also be driven to success by the fact that he will be riding for a Malaysian team.”
The newly formed Moto3 team has the support and backing from Tourism Malaysia, as well as local auto conglomerate, Mutiara Motors Sdn Bhd via its Drive M7 energy drinks brand.
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