Sepang International Circuit and the exciting TV9 announced it's collaboration to bring the 2009 MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang live on it's channel come race day on Oct 25.

This milestone marks TV9 as another major player in the sports broadcasting business as it has yet to host an event of such magnitude.

To officiate the agreement between the two parties present at Sri Pentas in Bandar Utama were SIC CEO Razlan Razali and TV9's Chief Operating Officer Bukhari Che Muda.

Driven by frustration and a patriotic dream to put Malaysians back at the GP grid, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and its partners in motorsports - Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), Two Wheels Motor Racing (TWMR), Moto Millia and Hong Leong Yamaha - have joined hands to embark a special programme in identifying two local riders to carry the Malaysian flag at the 2009 Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in October.

Simply called 'Malaysian Wildcard Programme 2009', the group had selected 15 riders from the current Petronas Sprinta Malaysian Cub Prix Championship and two from the Malaysian Super Series Bikerz Mag 150cc Cup for trials in their selection for the two Malaysian wildcard riders at Sepang, which would be hosting the penultimate round of the 2009 World Grand Prix Championship.

"We share the same dream and we share the same frustration. We have been frustrated that there had been no Malaysian riders at the Malaysian GP since the retirement of our sole 250cc GP rider Shahrol Yuzy," said SIC Chief Executive Officer Razlan Razali in explaining the objectives of the programme.

"And, it is even more frustrating to see that Thailand and Indonesia, which are not GP hosts, even have riders doing the full championship," he said in reference to Thailand's Ratthapark Wilairot and Doni Tata Pradita of Indonesia.

"Malaysia is a host nation for the MotoGP and we had failed to even have wildcard riders since 2002. It's truly unfortunate because we all know for a fact that Malaysia has the talents in motorcycling. We know that Malaysian riders can make it at the international if they are given the opportunity and support," added Razlan, widely known for his passion for motor racing and used to run his own Pineapple Motorsports Racing Team.

Officially launched on May 13 at Sri Pentas TV3 at Bandar Utama, the 17 selected riders - all aged between 15 and 28 - for the programme would undergo a three-day trial from May 14 at Sepang Circuit where they would be evaluated on their riding skills and techniques on Yamaha 125cc machines.

"Basically, we will choose the top four fastest riders which we plan to announce to the media on June 1. The four - who are the best of the best - will then undergo a comprehensive training session at SIC under the guidance of Shahrol Yuzy, who will be supported by the hugely experience Kuan Meng Heng," said Razlan.

To commence from June 15, the training would run for two months and at the conclusion of the session, the committee would decide on the final two riders, which would be recommended to Dorna - the MotoGP worldwide right holders - and FIM as the wildcard entries to compete in the 125cc class at the 2009 Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in October.

"Prior to the GP test, the two riders would be sent to Europe for further training where they would be attached to a leading GP team. They would be registered for competition at one of the rounds at the Italian Championship and competing on Aprilia 125cc GP bikes," said Razlan, adding the Malaysian Wildcard Programme 2009 is being supported strongly by Dorna.

"This is a new start by us to get back Malaysian riders at the GP. Hopefully, the riders would do well and encourage more local companies to come forward to support Malaysian riders aspiring to compete at the GP," he said.

Apart from the wildcard programme, Moto Millia is also running the Junior GP programme under the Motor Trader RS125 Championship within the MSS this year involving four under-15 riders which the bike distributor hoped to groom and become future GP riders.

With the age floor set at 15 years old, the current batch of riders especially Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi and Amirul Haziq Mohd Azmi did not qualify to attend the wildcard trials; but they should be strong contenders for the wildcard tickets next year.

For more information kindly contact Irwan A. Rahman at +6017 372 5777.

Rider Profile

• Results
• Construct
• Teams