KIP PUSHING IT TO THE MAX
Petronas Sprinta Racing’s Khairul shows early progress in Qatar
AFTER two disappointing seasons in 20172018, Petronas Sprinta Racing’s new Moto2 signing Khairul Idham Pawi showed positive improvement when it mattered.
He rode quite a good time at the Qatar Motorcycle Grand Prix on Saturday.
Khairul, or known as KIP, dipped under the notable two minute mark for the first time at the Losail International Circuit.
He clocked an encouraging 1:59.931s to secure a decent 21st placing out of 32 riders in a highly competitive intermediate class grid.
KIP had, on Friday, managed 2:00.015s for 23rd in the second free practice (FP2).
“I am happy with my lap time which shows the step forward we made in qualifying.
“We are all very close in terms of the lap times, I am only 1.3 seconds off pole position (rider), so I will give it my best in the race tomorrow (Sunday) and see what happens,” said the 20-year-old.
“My aim is to make it into the points (top 15), so I will try to find the limit and push to my maximum.
“We are very clear about the setting of the bike for the race and I am feeling very determined.”
Marcel Schrotter (Dynavolt Intact GP) secured pole on 1:58.585s while EG 0,0 Marc VDS' Xavi Vierge (1:58.731s) and Flexbox HP40's Lorenzo Baldassarri (1:58.784s) completed the front row.
Khairul had struggled to live up to the promise he showed in Moto3 in 2016 when he won two races after stepping up to Moto2 with Idemitsu Honda Team Asia in 2017-2018.
Petronas Sprinta, however, have thrown him a lifeline this season and they hope to groom him into a rider capable of moving up to the premier class within the next two or three seasons.