The Italian Yamaha star currently sits at fourth in the world championship, 18 points behind surprise leader Marc Marquez on a Honda.

Rossi is in the middle of an alarming winning drought with his 79th and last triumph coming in Malaysia in October 2010 before he switched to his unsuccessful two-year spell at Ducati.

But his career statistics are still beyond the reach of his title rivals.

Dani Pedrosa, the Spanish Honda rider who won in Jerez last time out, is next on the list of all-time winners on 23.

“Le Mans is a good track for me, also because in the last two years I was able to arrive on the podium in the dry and also in wet conditions,” said Rossi, who has won three times at Le Mans in the elite class.

“We hope to do the same and also better with Yamaha because this is a good track for the bike. In Le Mans the weather will be very important, because usually the weather is quite bad. It can be cold and wet so we will see. We will have to work well like always and try to understand the weather and the conditions of the track. We will try to do the maximum as always.”

Rossi was second at the circuit in 2012 and third the year before — performances which represented his best rides during his ill-fated stay at Ducati.

This year, he has been in the shadow on world champion teammate Jorge Lorenzo who captured the season-opener in Qatar and is third in the championship.

Lorenzo is a three-time winner at Le Mans, including in 2012 when victory was achieved in torrential rain.

Marquez, the 20-year-old Spaniard who only graduated to MotoGP from Moto2 this season, admits Friday practice will be key to his chances.

“We go to Le Mans and again we arrive there starting from zero, as I haven’t done any tests there,” said Marquez, the winner in Texas last month.

“I’ll do my best and I’ll try to make the most of the situation. I hope it doesn’t rain so we can prepare the bike on a dry track; this is very important in order to find the right set-up.”

Pedrosa, meanwhile, has tasted victory at the famous French track, but only in the 125cc and 250cc classes. — AFP

Sarawak Automotive Racing Sport Association (Sarsa) committee member Alex Yong Siaw Long together with Sarawak Motorcross Club chairman Kong Shan Nyan led a group of motorcross sports representatives made a courtesy call to Assistant Minister of Sports and Communication Datuk Dr Lee Kim Shin at his office recently.

“Young people in Miri who loves racing around on motorcycles can do so safely at our purpose-built (motor racing) track here, without having to risk their lives like Mat Rempits on public roads,” said Lee.

He encouraged motor racing buffs to take up the sports legally and safely where they can always book the racing tracks through Ministry of Social Development (KPSU) office near St Columba school.

“I understand there will be a famous woman participant at this event, and hopefully this will inspire more women to take up this sports too,” said Lee who noted that so far no woman had taken up the sports locally.

The event was organised by Sarsa in collaboration with Miri City Council and Miri Resident Office, supported and endorsed by KPSU, and sanctioned by Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM).

The event is divided into five categories namely the MX Open (Malaysian Series), MX125 (Malaysian Series), MX Veteran (Borneo Series), MX Open (Sarawak Closed Club Series), and Rookies Invitation Challenge Cup (Brunei Club Series).

According to Yong, between 80 to 100 entries were expected from Sabah, Sarawak, West Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore.

“A famous Kelantan lady taking part in the sports will be here who will be an inspiration for women to take part, and it’s not a dangerous sports because we have all the safety procedures like suits, helmets, and the best permanent racing track facilities in Malaysia right here,” he added.

The first day will be for track inspection, trials and registration while the second day will be for official trials, warm up, competitions and podium ceremony.

Since 2010, payments have been made to the 11th and 12th-placed teams to help three newcomers on reduced budgets who came in after the abrupt departure of major manufacturers Honda, Toyota and BMW.

There are now 11 teams remaining after the demise last year of Spanish-based HRT. Ecclestone, the sport’s commercial chief, said the plan was to return to rewarding the top 10 only, injecting more drama into the battle to avoid last place.

“It’s a bit more incentive to get going and get into the top 10. It’s a bit like the football where you can go up and down,” he told Reuters in a telephone interview.

The confidential Concorde Agreement that governs the sport expired at the end of last year and a new one, to run to the end of 2020, has yet to be signed by all parties.

In its absence, Ecclestone has agreed individual commercial agreements with all of the teams expect Russian-licensed Marussia, who have finished 11th in the last three years and behind Caterham.

Marussia chief executive Graeme Lowdon confirmed to Reuters that his team had not been offered a bilateral agreement by rights holders CVC but was reluctant to discuss the matter.

“It is our understanding that none of the parties are making any public comment about the financial discussions relating to a new Concorde Agreement and on that basis we would prefer not to make any comment,” he added.

Ecclestone said after HRT folded that he would rather have 10 teams, providing one of them was Ferrari.

The new Concorde Agreement, which must be signed by all teams as well as the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA), should replace the various bilateral agreements once it comes into operation.

Ecclestone told reporters at the Bahrain Grand Prix this month that the detailed document was “in the hands of the lawyers”.

The FIA said on March 8 that negotiations were “proceeding positively in order to be concluded in the near future”.

Marussia are 10th overall after four of this year’s 19 races and ahead of Malaysian-owned Caterham. They nearly finished 10th last year but lost out to Caterham in the final race.

The two tail-enders considered a merger late last year but the idea was abandoned after initial talks. — Reuters

LIVE WIRE: Riders of the various categories in action, at the AAM Borneo Motorcross Challenge at the Kota Samarahan Motocross Circuit yesterday. — Photos by Teo Zhi Wei

KUCHING: AAM Borneo Motocross Challenge concluded yesterday with riders from Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia winning top honours in five categories contested during the competition.

Held at the Kota Samarahan Motocross Circuit, each race category had two rounds, ‘Moto 1’ followed by the final `Moto 2’.

Mohd Kahiri Zakaria from Johor won MX Open category which was the main race of the competition, beating Indonesian riders Mahsuri and Ely Ashar to second and third places.

Mohd Kahiri already led in Moto 1 when he clocked a time of 22 minutes and 33 seconds. He went on to finish first in Moto 2 giving him 50 points to emerge champion.

In the MX 125 category Mashuri won when he clocked 22 minutes and 53 seconds in the final round. Sabah’s Syahrizan Shambeda was second place and Brunei’s Haji Idzam third.

A happy Indonesian team manager Willys Halim congratulated his rider for his success.

“He did a good job today. I am satisfied with the results that my team has produced,” he said.

Another Indonesian to win was Ely in the Scramble Open category. His compatriot Rudy Hartono finished second, 13 seconds behind Ely who clocked 14 minutes and two second.

Muhammad Mukhlis Basri was third.

Competing in the Star Rookies Cup category, Sarawak’s rising new talent Engkamad Gagarin almost brought home the state’s one and only winner’s medal.

But his motorcycle ran into engine problems during the flag off in Moto 1.

Although he finished first in Moto 2 he could only manage second place behind overall champion Wan Albukhari Mahmood based on the time difference.

Mohd Azman Hasan finished third place.

“Although there was a fault in my engine during Moto 1, I managed to finish second. Despite that, I think I did good this time as I only aimed for a top five finish before the race,” said Engkamad.

In the MX Veteran Open, Sarawak riders did well to occupy three of the top five spots. The experienced Johor rider Zakaria Muri was the winner with Brunei’s Jamil Abdul Karim second.

Third place went to Kuching-based rider Ling Lee Chong while Billy Lee Jun Ping and Mohamad Simun Sinong finished fourth and fifth respectively.

The next leg of the AAM Borneo Motocross Challenge will take place in Miri on May 25.

KOTA SAMARAHAN ROARS: Mechanics inspecting bikes of their respective teams before it was sent out for racing at the Kota Samarahan Motocross Circuit yesterday.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak Automotive Sport Racing Association (Sarsa) has appealed to the state governement and corporate bodies to assist in turning Sarawak into a top world-class racing destination.

Sarsa secretary Lucas Tan believes that Sarawak has the potential to emerge as a top racing destination especially for motocross and other off-road circuit races.

He said that Sarawak has a suitable geographical terrain and climate for the sport.

“Sarawak as we all know is the biggest state in Malaysia and the state has a lot of space for holding such events,” he added.

He observed that the sport has always been popular among Sarawakians and motocross races usually attracted the most spectators here. Sarsa is aiming to host more yearly racing events and constantly looking out for new talent.

It is partnering the Amateur Automotive Malaysia (AAM), Kota Samarahan District Council and Kota Samarahan Divisional Tourism Task Group to jointly organise the AAM Borneo Motocross Challenge at the Kota Samarahan Motocross Circuit.

The competition enters its final round today. Motocross enthusiasts are invited to come to the race track located next to the Kota Samarahan Fire Station as early as 8am.

BORN TO BE WILD: The Kota Samarahan Motocross Circuit will start today but riders from all over the state and neighbouring countries are already testing out the dusty and challenge track.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Motocross fans are in for a treat when the Kota Samarahan Motocross Circuit starts today.

The Borneo Post was at the race track yesterday to interview some of the early arrivals who went for the practice sessions.

Willys Halim and his team from Indonesia were among the early birds to arrive at the circuit venue and riders from Sanggau, West Kalimantan, Indonesian team will compete in all categories.

According to Willys, team was impressed with the state of the motocross track and considered the dusty challenging track as one of the best in Borneo.

“Our team was here last year and we know that it is a good race track which tests our skills to the fullest…we will do our best to emerge overall champions this year,” he said.

A representative of the organising committee had also revealed that the Brunei team is scheduled to arrive today.

Apart from international riders, the local wannabes are also optimistic about their chances at the competition.

“I will do my best to finish top five in my category and do my best not let my team down,” said 17-year-old Engkamat Gagarin from Lundu.

Winner of the 2011 Motocross Veteran category Hii Chang Hoon on the other hand commented that he will also do his best to win the category again this year.

Five categories namely Motocross 125, Motocross Open, Motocross Veteran, Scrambler Open and Star Rookies Cup will be contested during the competition.

For the record, about 80 riders from Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia will compete for top honours at the AAM Borneo Motocross Challenge from April 27 to 28.

SET FOR THE BIG EVENT: Daily (fourth right), Lucas (third left), Kota Samarahan District Council secretary Simon Wong (third right) and the organising committee members hold bantings of the championship at the Kota Samarahan Motocross Circuit yesterday.

KUCHING: Samarahan is set to host the AAM Borneo Motocross Challenge at the Kota Samarahan Motocross Circuit this weekend.

Kota Samarahan District Office’s Culture, Youth and Sports committee chairman Daily Joseph said yesterday the council is excited and looking forward to organise the first international motocross championship in the division.

“We used to organise smaller competitions here in the past and we are hoping that this international championship will be a successful one,” he said when chairing an organising committee meeting at the district council office.

Daily, who is also one of the councillors, hoped the event will also encourage more local youths to take up the sport and also promote sports tourism in Samarahan.

He urged all parties to work closely with each other to make the event a great success.

“We also invite all motocross enthusiasts and people in Samarahan and other parts of Sarawak to come and watch the competition that will be participated by top national and international riders,” Daily added.

The event is jointly organised by Amateur Automotive Malaysia (AAM), Sarawak Automotive Sport Racing Association (Sarsa), Kota Samarahan District Council and Kota Samarahan Divisional Tourism Task Group.

Meanwhile, Sarsa secretary Lucas Tan said the championship is expected to attract about 80 riders from Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia.

He said the organising committee has received over 50 entries and they are expecting more to sign up because some riders have not obtained their racing licences.

“The limelight will be on two female participants from Kelantan, one of whom is 17-year-old Siti Haida Jaffri who has competed in the FIM Asia championship and we also have received entries from two 14-year-olds from Kuching,” he said.

Soebiandono Andrew, 37, who hails from Kampung Nangka, Kota Samarahan has also been confirmed as one of the participants in the Motocross 125 and Motocross Open races.

Five categories namely Motocross 125, Motocross Open, Motocross Veteran, Scrambler Open and Star Rookies Cup will be competed in the two-day championship.

The AAM Borneo Motocross Challenge is the first round of the AAM Malaysian Championship and Sarawak will also host the third round in Miri on May 26.

After the third round, six top riders from Sarawak will be selected to compete in the FIM Asia Championship in Gong Badak, Terengganu on June 8.

Other rounds of the AAM Malaysian Championship are Round 2 in Johor (May 2), Round 4 in Terengganu (June 8), Johor (July 7) and the final round in Sepang on Oct 20.

The Samarahan and Miri races are sanctioned by AAM and supported by the Ministry of Social Development.

Masing also demanded a public apology from the EC for mistakenly disallowing PRS candidate Wilson Ugak Kumbong, his proposer and seconder from entering the nomination centre wearing shirts bearing party logo. They were also asked to strip their clothes in public.

“I do, however, appreciate the fact that state EC director Datuk Takun Sunggah was gentlemanly enough to personally apologise via SMS and acknowledged that an error had in fact been made that day by the EC,” said Masing, who is also Land Development Minister.

“The EC should apologise to the three men who were asked to strip publicly. It was embarrassing,” said Masing via SMS to The Borneo Post yesterday.

Masing said that Ugak, his proposer Liwan Lagang the Belaga assemblyman and seconder Bakat Gira the PRS Baleh Youth chief were asked to take off their BN shirts in public.

He said the EC must put on record that it (stripping) was a mistake.

Masing said this kind of incident should not have happened and should not happen again. Every returning officer should be able to manage their task well.

“In a worst case scenario, the action of the returning officer could have led to the disqualification of the candidate who has been entrusted by the party and the people to represent them,” he added.

Meanwhile, when contacted yesterday, Takun said he did apologise personally to Masing on nomination day. He described the incident as a result of a miscommunication among them.

He also hoped that the case be settled amicably.

SWP candidate George Lagong was allowed to enter the centre although he wore an official SWP shirt because the logo was covered by his vest.

Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, meanwhile, said that no such problem occurred at other nomination centres in Sarawak although most candidates wore shirts bearing their respective party symbols.

OUT IN FRONT: Red Bull Racing’s German driver Sebastian Vettel drives at the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Manama. — AFP photo

MANAMA: Defending triple world champion Sebastian Vettel extended his lead in this year’s title race on Sunday when he claimed an impressive victory for Red Bull in an incident-filled Bahrain Grand Prix.

The race finished without any disruption amid tight security and despite earlier clashes between police and Shiite protesters in villages in the Gulf kingdom.

It was 25-year-old Vettel’s second win in four races this year and the 28th of his career as he repeated his victory of 2012.

The German’s victory saw him move into sixth on the all-time list of Grand Prix wins taking him past Jackie Stewart.

Starting second, Vettel took the lead on lap three and then controlled the 57-laps race as he came home 9.1 seconds clear of nearest rival Finn Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus.“It was a fantastic race,” said Vettel.

“I have to give a big, big thank you to the team today it was faultless from start to finish. The pace was phenomenal the car was great. We took good care of the tyres and it all paid off.”

Frenchman Romain Grosjean finished third in the second Lotus, as the Renault powered team made the best of excellent tyre conservation.

Grosjean denied fourth placed Briton Paul di Resta of Force India his first ever podium finish.

Briton Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 champion, fought hard to finish fifth for Mercedes after a late battle with Australian Mark Webber who came home seventh in the second Red Bull, Mexican Sergio Perez smashing his way to sixth for McLaren. — AFP

WE’RE ON: Alonso celebrates with the winner’s trophy during the victory ceremony of the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International circuit. Alonso roared to victory in the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix, making amends for crashing out of the previous race in Malaysia. — Reuters photo

SHANGHAI: Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso emerged unscathed to take victory on Sunday in a drama-packed Chinese Grand Prix, with the Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton holding on for second and third.

A charging Sebastian Vettel came fourth, just 0.2 seconds behind Hamilton, after adopting a different tyre strategy from most of his rivals, while his Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber failed to finish on a dreadful weekend for him.

Jenson Button, of McLaren, was fifth, and Alonso’s team-mate Felipe Massa sixth.

Daniel Ricciardo, of Toro Rosso, Force India’s Paul di Resta, Romain Grosjean of Lotus and Nico Hulkenberg, of Sauber, rounded out the top 10.

Alonso said that he was delighted to get his season back on track after retiring early in Malaysia last month. The two-time world champion was second, behind the rejuvenated Raikkonen, in the season-opening race in Melbourne.

“It feels good, it is a long time from my victory here eight years ago,” said the Spaniard, who narrowly lost out to Vettel for the world title last season.

“It was not easy to understand this race sometimes, not an easy race. The risk is there when you overtake.  “This is a good reward for the team after the disappointment in Malaysia. Let’s hope this is now the start of the championship and we need to keep going like that.” — AFP

The reigning world champion and his aggrieved Australian team-mate are said to have called a truce after Vettel’s controversial late pass for victory at Sepang, but relations are likely to be uneasy at best.

Webber admitted he considered his future in the sport after Vettel ignored orders to stay behind his front-running stablemate, who was on deteriorating tyres, to snatch one of the most contentious wins of recent years.

Webber was seen giving the middle finger to Vettel after his risky overtaking manoeuvre, and following an angry exchange in the garage and an awkward podium ceremony, the German apologised profusely. But whether that has cut any ice with the feisty Webber, and whether Vettel is prepared to make amends by returning the favour, could become clear in Shanghai, act three in what has already been an intriguing campaign.

Kimi Raikkonen was the surprise winner at the season-opener in Australia, and Lewis Hamilton was also tipped into a team orders row in Malaysia when Mercedes told Nico Rosberg not to challenge his team-mate for third.

Red Bull will face further questions about possible punishment for Vettel, even after team principal Christian Horner insisted Webber was not about to quit and that the affair had been put to rest.

“He (Webber) is in a car capable of winning grands prix and hopefully going for a championship so I’ve no doubt Mark will see out the season with us,” Horner said.

Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, will also be keen to show solidarity with Rosberg and the rest of his new team, which he has joined from long-term employer McLaren.

In Malaysia, the Briton sheepishly admitted that Rosberg, all over his back wheels in fourth until being ordered off by team boss Ross Brawn, deserved to take his place on the podium.

And Hamilton also had to apologise to the Mercedes technicians after he mistakenly pulled into the McLaren bay during a pitstop.

“My first two races with my new team have been a great experience and everyone has made me feel so welcome,” said Hamilton, a crowd favourite in Shanghai, particularly among female spectators.

“We’ve had a better start than we expected and to have finished in fifth and third places so far is really positive. I know there is much more to come so we will keep working hard and pushing the development of the car.”

McLaren have struggled with their new MP4-28 car in the early season but Jenson Button, world champion with Brawn in 2009, said Sunday’s race would be a fresh start for the famed British marque.

“In a funny way, the Chinese Grand Prix almost feels like something of a reboot of the start of my season,” said Button.

“Taking home two points from the first two races obviously wasn’t what we had in mind at the beginning of the year, but I think everybody in the team has picked themselves up and really attacked the task of addressing our car’s issues.”

Meanwhile, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso will hope to reassert his authority at Ferrari after sliding out on the second lap in Malaysia – and falling behind team-mate Felipe Massa in the overall standings.

Massa was said to be in grave danger of losing his seat with the famed Italian outfit last year, before an upturn in his performances at the end of the season.

He has carried that form into the start of this year, and as well as out-qualifying Alonso in the past four races, he holds a narrow advantage over the Spaniard at fifth place in the championship standings. — AFP

leading all the way: Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain rides leading the pack during the Qatar MotoGP Grand Prix at the Losail International circuit in Doha. — Reuters photo

LOSAIL, Qatar: Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo began his MotoGP title defence in style with an emphatic win in the season-opener at Qatar’s Losail International Circuit on Sunday.

The Yamaha ace charged to the 24th win of his MotoGP career, finishing 5.990 seconds ahead of teammate and seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi.

MotoGP rookie Marc Marquez of Honda took a superb third on his debut in the top division, staged under floodlights.

Pole-sitter Lorenzo held the lead right from when the start and held on till the chequered flag while the rest of the field behind him traded places.

“I knew it was going to complicated. I’m happy that Valentino came back in second place, it’s good for Yamaha,” Lorenzo told BBC television.

Rossi, who had had an ordinary weekend going into Sunday’s race, came into his own in the final stages of the race, going past Honda riders Dani Pedrosa and Marquez in quick succession.

The veteran Italian was pleased with his showing after two frustrating years with Ducati.

He said: “That was great fun, I think second is best for me today as Jorge was perfect.

“I made a mistake at the start with Pedrosa.

“I wanted this podium, this was my target since last November. The bike was fantastic, I had a great battle with Marc.”

Marquez showed glimpses of the exceptional talent that many have come to praise in winter testing and the run-up to the season-opener at crucial times during the race.

After falling behind at the start, he gradually moved up places before going past Briton Cal Crutchlow and then dramatically overtaking Pedrosa with six laps to go.

After his closing tussle with Rossi Marquez was thrilled at his performance.

“I was racing my hero – it was a great battle with Valentino. For my first MotoGP that wasn’t too bad!”

Crutchlow finished fifth behind Pedrosa.

Alvaro Bautista, Ducati riders Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden, Andrea Iannone and Ben Spies completed the top ten.

The pre-season this year had been abuzz with anticipation thanks to Rossi’s return to Yamaha after a disappointing two-year stint in Ducati and also the emergence of Marquez as a strong contender.

Marquez had impressed many ever since he topped the timecharts in the first testing sessions in Austin, Texas, earlier this year.

The 20-year-old Spaniard had produced a few scorching laps early in the weekend in Qatar to top the practice sessions but had been unable to produce consistent runs.

With this win in Qatar, Yamaha lead the team championship with 45 points while Honda is second with 29 points.

The next race will be run at the Circuit of the Americas on April 21. — AFP

TAKE YOUR PICK: In this combination file photo Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain (top, left), Honda rider Marc Marquez of Spain (top, right), Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi of Italy (bottom, left) and Repsol Honda team MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa of Spain ride on the first day of the pre-season MotoGP test at the Sepang circuit.
— AFP photo

LONDON: Valentino Rossi is back on a Yamaha but it will take some heroics for the ageing Italian great to wrest the MotoGP title from Spanish hands in the season that starts under the Qatar floodlights this weekend.

Honda’s Dani Pedrosa lines up as the early favourite, closely followed by Rossi’s team mate and reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo, while Honda new boy Marc Marquez completes a trio of Spanish frontrunners in a new era following the premature retirement of Australian Casey Stoner.

Rossi, a 4/1 shot for the title with British bookmakers William Hill, is their closest rival as fourth favourite with no other rider given better than odds of 40/1 ahead of the season-opener.

The charismatic Italian has ditched his uncompetitive Ducati to return to the Yamaha works fold – the team where he won 46 grands prix and four of his seven world titles in the top category – alongside Lorenzo, but at 34 he is starting to feel the ravages of time.

“My comeback to Yamaha is a great story and a great bet, for me but also for Yamaha,” said the Italian, winner of 105 grands prix in all classes, during testing last month.

“Unfortunately I am quite old, this is true, but I feel very good…I hope I can fight again for the podium and to win some races. After that we’ll see where we are in the championship ranking.”

Rossi and Lorenzo were uneasy team mates in 2010, when the Mallorcan was the young hotshot and won his first title, but the latter is now a double world champion and the atmosphere promises to be much friendlier.

“Probably our relationship is better than three years ago,” Lorenzo said at the launch of the YZR-M1 machine last month.

“Now we are a bit older, more mature, especially me as I was only 20 when I arrived in MotoGP.

“We do not have to be friends…but if the relationship is good this is much better for us but also for the team. We will try to stay calm and to push together in the same direction.”

Pedrosa, runner-up to Lorenzo last season, leads the works Honda line-up following the departure of double champion Stoner and has his best chance yet of a first title after a storming finish to last year with six wins in the closing eight races.

“The team has worked hard to get us in the best place for the start of the season and I’m pleased with my physical situation,” the injury-prone rider, now in his eighth MotoGP season with Honda, said in a team preview for Sunday’s night race at the Losail desert circuit.

Marquez is 20 but arrives after winning last year’s Moto2 title, and the 125cc crown the year before, and even Rossi sees something of his younger self in the Spaniard after impressive times in pre-season testing.

His partnership with Pedrosa and the comparisons with their Italian rival will be one of the leading storylines of the year ahead, with nobody ruling out Marquez taking the title in his debut season.

“If he can stay healthy, he is really going to shake things up this season,” said 2006 MotoGP champion Nicky Hayden, who remains with Audi-owned Ducati. — Reuters

FRIENDLY DUEL: Two racers lining up for the race.

KUCHING: The ‘Supa Sunday Bike Drag Day’ organised by Zero8two motorsports club last Sunday received overwhelming response.

Over 30 racing motorbikers participated in the free running session at the Sejingkat Industrial Park. It was the first such event held to promote motor sports and expose local talents to race in a safe and secure environment.

According to Zero8two motorsports club president Muhammad Narodden, the session featured a `high-tech’ timing system imported from the United States which allowed racers to know their reaction time and the overall timing of their machines.

“Our club aims to promote and bring those interested in drag racing onto a professional stage where they will be exposed to the real method of racing. We are keen to get them off the streets and race professionally,” said Muhammad.

He added that while the event is just a free running session, the club aims to organise a drag event for both cars and bikes in June.

With motorbikes ranging from Superbikes to Underbone drag racing bikes, the participants had a free running session where they could test the capabilities of their bikes to their maximum potential.

Those interested to test their skills can participate in the event by registering their respective teams with Zero8two motorsports club.

The next two events will be opened for cars on March 31 and April 21 followed by another session for bikes on April 28.

Those who are interested to participate can call Muhammad at 0138239998 or Adam Ibrahim at 0138044013.

CHAMPION: Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrates with the winner’s trophy at the victory ceremony of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit.

SEPANG, Malaysia: World champion Sebastian Vettel incensed Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber Sunday as he pulled off a risky overtaking move to snatch victory in a pulsating but contentious Malaysian Grand Prix.

The German ace went wheel-to-wheel with Webber late in the race, earning a stern rebuke from team principal Christian Horner, before emerging in front and taking his 27th race win.

Former world title-holder Lewis Hamilton was third, claiming his first podium spot for new team Mercedes, after his frustrated stablemate Nico Rosberg was ordered not to overtake as they duelled in the closing stages.

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa finished fifth, stealing the limelight from Fernando Alonso after the two-time world champion went out on the second lap with a collapsed front wing.

France’s Romain Grosjean was sixth, outshining his Lotus team-mate and last week’s winner Kimi Raikkonen in seventh, with Nico Hulkenberg, Sergio Perez and Jean-Eric Vergne rounding out the top 10. McLaren’s Jenson Button was a late retirement.

Webber and Vettel exchanged words in the team garage and the Australian was stony-faced during the victory ceremony, spraying little of the customary champagne.

Later, Vettel offered a profuse apology to his team-mate. Both drivers had been told by their team to hold their positions until the end of the race.

“I’m not entirely happy — I think I did a big mistake,” Vettel said. “We should have stayed in the positions that we were in. I didn’t ignore it on purpose but I messed up in that situation and obviously took the lead from Mark.

“I can see now that he’s upset. I want to be honest at least and stick to the truth. I know that doesn’t really help his feelings right now.”

A heavy tropical shower in the hour before the race greased up the track to such an extent that several cars including Webber’s slid off in the pre-formation drive.

Massa dropped back off second place and Alonso damaged his front wing on the Red Bull of pole-sitter Vettel at an otherwise ultra-careful start.

But there was disaster for Ferrari’s Alonso when the wing folded under his front wheels as he duelled with Webber on lap two, leaving him sliding helplessly out.

Webber moved into the lead when Vettel pitted for medium tyres on lap six, quickly followed by Massa, and the Australian remained there after his team told him “stay out, it’s too wet”. He finally switched tyres on lap nine.

Hamilton provided a moment of hilarity when he briefly pitted in the garage of his ex-team McLaren, before being waved on to the Mercedes crew by his bemused former colleagues.

Caterham’s Charles Pic lost his front wing in a pitlane collision with Toro Rosso driver Jean-Eric Vergne, and Pastor Maldonado ploughed into a gravel trap on lap 14.

Webber regained a short-margin lead from Vettel after their second pitstops and the two Red Bulls battled with each other, with Hamilton close on the current world champion’s tail, as the 56-lap race reached halfway.  — AFP

In his final run on a drying track, Vettel stormed across the line in a time of 1min 49.674sec, pipping Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa (1:50.587) and Fernando Alonso (1:50.727) with Mercedes pilot Lewis Hamilton fourth.

Red Bull’s Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg of Mercedes will start today’s race from fifth and sixth. Kimi Raikkonen, last week’s winner in Australia, timed seventh but was hit with a three-place grid penalty for impeding Rosberg.

McLaren’s Jenson Button will occupy the fourth row alongside Force India’s Adrian Sutil, with McLaren’s new recruit Sergio Perez — second for Sauber in last year’s rain-interrupted race — starting ninth and Raikkonen 10th.

“It turned into an interesting qualifying session,” said Vettel. “It was quite tricky because some parts of the track were still wet and others were dry, but still all in all a very good session for us.

“We managed to save some tyres, which could be crucial tomorrow (today).”

Malaysia’s ever-present tropical showers had disrupted Friday practice, and clouds were again looming ominously as qualifying got under way.

With track temperatures at a sizzling 41 degrees Celsius (106 Fahrenheit), Sutil set the pace in Q1 with the Red Bulls of Vettel and Webber trailing in 15th and ninth respectively.

Rosberg was leading Q2 when the rain set in, effectively bringing the session to an early halt as the cars returned to the pits — but not before Paul di Resta had twice lost control of his Force India. With the cloudburst quickly easing, the cars switched to intermediate wet-dry tyres for the final qualifying shoot-out and officials disabled the DRS overtaking system in the slippery conditions.

Hamilton ran wide on the slick track but soon recovered to post the fastest time, before he was quickly usurped by Rosberg and then Vettel at the top of the standings after six minutes.

With two minutes left, Webber raced through to time quickest, a lead which lasted just seconds as Hamilton crossed behind him in a time of 1min 51.699sec, a lap which seemed to have secured his first pole position for Mercedes.

But with the chequered flag waving, Alonso bolted over the line with a new fastest time, followed immediately by Vettel who claimed his 38th pole position — and boosted his bid to win a fourth straight world championship.

Vettel will hope to improve on last week’s showing in Australia, when he also started in pole position but dropped back to finish third behind Raikkonen and Alonso.

“I think if you start in the front you always want to finish there as well. I think it will be a long race,” said the German.

Teams will be bracing themselves for more rain on Sunday, after last year’s long storm delay in a race which was eventually won by Alonso. In 2009, heavy rain forced the grand prix’s cancellation after just 31 laps, with Button awarded victory. — AFP

Mohd Hariff clocked four hours 35 minutes to overcome Nik Mohd Hazwan from Police who was just a wheel-length behind at the Dataran Tanjung Emas finishing line while Mohd Zamri Saleh from Armed Forces finished third with a time of 4’35.07s.

National rider Mohd Rauf Nur Misbah, who was among 72 riders who took part in the race, finished in fifth spot. — Bernama

In the Junior category, Mohd Al-Azni Zainal, from Sekolah Sains Tengku Mahmud Iskandar, Kota Tinggi, beat 149 other riders to win the 137km race.

He clocked 3’23.34 to beat Shahrul Afham Rosdi from Terengganu by a mere .03 seconds while third place went to Mohd Syazrin Shaari from Kuala Lumpur.

In the women’s category, Noor Azan Alias from Muar emerged victorious in the race held over 110km with a time of 3’12.48s, beating Kedah’s Masziyaton Mohd Radzi in a race that was decided by a photo-finish as both clocked the same time.

The women’s category saw 41 riders. – Bernama

The 2008 world champion, glowing after a successful team switch from McLaren, said set-up problems had affected his pace early in Sunday’s season-opener in Melbourne – and he vowed not to make the same mistake at Sepang.

“I feel very optimistic. I came away from there with 10 points and I feel really happy with 10 points because when I made the switch I didn’t know where we’d be, and I definitely didn’t think we’d come away from the first race with 10 points,” said the Briton.

“And also with the feeling that that’s not just going to be a lucky shot in the first race – that’s going to be something we can try to continue for the rest of the year.

“You see all the other top teams are really good at developing the car and moving forward very fast. I think that’s something the team is learning to do and I’m seeing it coming through. Hopefully that shines this weekend.”

Hamilton’s buoyant mood is a far cry from recent seasons when he has been under a cloud first because of relationship problems with his pop star girlfriend, and then over his protracted break-up with long-term employer McLaren. But the move to Mercedes looked inspired after Sunday’s opening race when he easily outpaced former team-mate Jenson Button and his McLaren replacement Sergio Perez, who finished ninth and 11th.

“I was so positive after the race. I feel really positive about the car, I feel really positive about the team,” he said.

“They’re moving very very fast in terms of developing the car, in terms of learning how I like to work and I think I’m learning quite quickly how they like to work.

“Of course we could have done things better but it was our first race together and it doesn’t matter how much you prepare for it, you can’t really prepare perfectly for a race. It’s not until you do a race that you really get experiences to know how you work together.”

Hamilton said he had struggled with the car’s balance in the first part of Sunday’s race, and also had to pit because of a bald spot on one of his tyres.

But he insisted the Mercedes could compete with the Red Bull of three-time defending world champion Sebastian Vettel, who qualified in pole position at Albert Park.

“I don’t think they (Red Bull) had frightening pace in qualifying. I think if I was out at the same time, if I was out as late as they had gone out, I think I could have matched their time,” he said.

“But then we got to the race and they had great pace again, as they always do and he (Vettel) disappeared, along with everyone else,” added Hamilton.

“Hopefully in the next race we won’t have that problem.” — AFP

Masterful tyre-management in a surprisingly quick Lotus put the colourful Finn top of the podium in Melbourne, with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso second and Sebastian Vettel, gunning for his fourth straight world title, third.

“Finntastic” trumpeted Australian press, and “Finn puts party back into Formula 1”, as media welcomed a challenge to the accepted order at the start of the new season.

Three championships in three years have already placed Red Bull’s German pilot Vettel, 25, among the sport’s greats, but the return of the party-loving Raikkonen, world champion with Ferrari in 2007, has proved invigorating.

And after rain storms wiped out Saturday qualifying in Australia, teams will be braced for another tough weekend at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit, where tropical downpours played havoc last year and in 2009.

A year ago, Raikkonen marked his return to Malaysia after a two-year stint in rallying by handing out ice-creams, a nod to an episode on his previous visit in 2009, when he coolly snacked on a Magnum during a rain delay.

The 33-year-old has twice been a winner on the long straights and tight hairpins of the Sepang circuit, built on former jungle near the Malaysian capital, but has also failed to finish four times and was fifth last year.

His ability to maintain Pirelli’s new, deliberately fast-wearing tyres was critical in Melbourne, but he will face an entirely different test in Malaysia’s heat, humidity and possible rain come race day Sunday.

“I had a good feeling that we would be OK with the tyres after practice,” Raikkonen told the team website after the Australian race.

“The team got the strategy perfect. Apart from maybe Force India I don’t think the others looked like they could do the same thing.”

Lotus boss Eric Boullier admitted it was team policy to give leeway to the famously brusque Raikkonen, who memorably snapped “Just leave me alone, I know what I’m doing”, over the team radio last year en route to victory in Abu Dhabi.

“I don’t think there is anybody on earth who can tell Kimi what he should do, so I am not going to start,” Boullier said, according to the Autosport website.

Vettel will hope to do better with his tyres in the warmer conditions and put his stamp on the season much earlier than in 2012, when he did not win until the fourth race and trailed in the standings as late as October.

“We had a good day with a pole and a podium – but in the race we were a little too aggressive with the tyres and lost the front and the rears, while others did a little better,” Vettel said.

Lewis Hamilton could not hide his satisfaction at finishing fifth with new team Mercedes, while his former employer McLaren started the year dismally with Jenson Button ninth and Sergio Perez 11th.

Alonso, just three points behind Vettel in last year’s final standings, was delighted to take an early psychological edge over the young German and his Red Bull team, with Ferrari the leading constructor after race one. But much attention in Malaysia will also focus on Raikkonen, both on his driving and for any possible repeat of the antics which have made him a cult figure among motorsport fans.

In 2006, Raikkonen went out of the Monaco Grand Prix but instead of heading back to the team garage, he jumped straight on board his personal yacht, shirt off and surrounded by his partying entourage.

Asked later that season in Brazil why he had missed a presentation by Pele to Michael Schumacher, his answer to a TV reporter was concise and unapologetic: he had been in the toilet. A year later, he was world champion. — AFP

Four of the five rookies were banished during the first round of qualifying that saw drivers skidding and spinning around a water-logged Albert Park circuit scattered with debris from a number of crashes.

Only Williams’s Valtteri Bottas of Finland scraped into the top 16 drivers who will finish the second and third rounds of qualifying early on Sunday and scramble to make adjustments before the race starts at 5 p.m. local time (0600 GMT).

Drivers were confined to their cockpits for a nervous 30-minute wait before the delayed first session as rain bucketed down and staff frantically tried to sweep the track clear of puddles.

“When you are sat in the car for half an hour and the pit lane looks like a river, it is slightly unnerving,” Marussia’s British driver Max Chilton, who will start 20th out of 21 on the grid, told television reporters.

“But when I was out there, the car was a real joy to drive.”

Chilton will start one place behind team mate and fellow debutant Jules Bianchi of France, who nearly span out of the race on his first lap.

Esteban Gutierrez, promoted from reserve driver at Sauber, had the worst of it, smashing into a barrier at turn 12 after losing control and having his car winched off the track. — Reuters

“It’s not an ideal situation, I feel very sorry for the team but I still have a race tomorrow that I need to focus on, keep my emotions very stable,” said the Mexican, who will start 18th on the grid.

“Unfortunately it was a mistake which I need to avoid in the future.”

Caterham’s Diego Van der Garde will see a second day of action in his F1 debut from last place on the grid, but his more experienced team mate Charles Pic skidded out of contention, having failed to meet the qualifying benchmark by one-hundredth of a second. -Reuters