GETTING WOMEN TO RACE
Tuneboss-Pink Racing Team out to set the benchmark for women in motorsports
TUNEBOSS-PINK Racing Team hope to set the tone for women’s involvement in two-wheel motorsports in the future. The newly-launched team will be competing in the CP125 and Wira categories at the Petronas Malaysian Cub Prix Championship, which starts next week.
They will also race in the Malaysian Superbike Championship (MSBK) and the drag racing event.
YouTuber-turned-racer Nur Atikah Azwar, 25, who founded the team, is currently the youngest female team owner-cum-manager in Cub Prix.
Atikah has selected Siti Norafizah Muhamad, 26, and Harith Farhan Baharin,
22, to represent the outfit in the CP125 class. Siti Norsyafiyah Alia Saarizan, 17, will race in the Wira class.
Atikah, who raced in the Cub Prix ProAm class last year, said she felt compelled to step into racing team management.
“Usually, we see older people managing racing teams. It is time that more women venture into this field,” said Atikah at the team launch in Shah Alam yesterday.
“I know there are many women out there who are interested in becoming riders and mechanics in motorsports, but they do not know where to go.
“I hope this team will serve as a platform to develop talented women riders and mechanics.
“Maybe, one day, we can even have a full female line up of riders and mechanics for this team.”
Atikah has not set any lofty targets for the team in their maiden season.
“For our first year, the goal is to gain experience from racing as well as learn from the other teams.
“It would be a bonus if we can achieve a podium finish this year.”
While Atikah confirmed she will not be racing in Cub Prix this year, she hinted that she might compete in MSBK, which has yet to announce its schedule for this season.
The new Cub Prix season kicks off at Sepang Circuit (South layout) on Saturday.
THE Women's Malaysia Hockey League (WMHL) begins today with debutants UniKL Ladies looking strong and dangerous. Although UniKL are newcomers, their charges are seasoned campaigners comprising current and ex-national players.
UniKL will be banking on Hanis Nadiah Onn — the most outstanding striker in the WMHL — to inspire the team this season.
The national player has an awesome record of winning the top scorer award for four consecutive years from 2016 to 2019, each time with different teams.
Hanis, who was Asia's most promising player in 2016, has two missions to achieve this season. The 25-year-old is fired up to win her fifth top scorer award and help the varsity team make a memorable debut by winning at least one title.
She made her debut for Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) in 2016 and was the top scorer with eight goals, and a year later, she featured for Blue Warriors and scored nine.
In 2018, she joined Terengganu Hockey Team and netted 10, and the following year, she scored 14 goals for PKS-Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten).
“It feels nice to win the top scorer award four times, but I feel a bit disappointed for failing to do it last year. I aim to be sharper in the semi-circle and score goals in every match,” said Hanis.
The other national players are Siti Zaila Nasir, Noraini Rashid, Nur Atira Ismail,
Nur Afiqah Syahzani, Khairunnisa Ayuni and Nuramirah Shakirah.
FIXTURES — TODAY: Mutiara Impian v UniKL Ladies (6pm, Pitch I), Blue Warriors v PKS-UniTen (8pm, itch II), Sabah v Young Tigress (8pm, Pitch I). * Matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.