No more flying pains as Khairul can now leave for Spain.

Malaysian Moto3 rider Khairul Idham Pawi has finally got his ticket to ride, or rather, fly.

The racer, popularly known as KIP, secured his clearance letter to enter Europe hours before he was scheduled to fly to Spain.

Khairul left for Barcelona early yesterday morning to get ready for the resumption of the MotoGP world championship season later this month after receiving the letter from MotoGP rights holder Dorna.

“I was very worried I could not get the letter in time and had to postpone my flight again.

“I’m just relieved to get to leave the country and it’s given me added motivation to start the season on the right track,” said Khairul.

“A big thanks to Sepang International Circuit, Youth and Sports Ministry and the Motorsports Association of Malaysia for helping us get to the race,” said the Petronas Sprinta Team rider.

Khairul had been all geared up last Friday to take off for the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez from July 17-19 but had a shock when he was turned away at KLIA.

He was unable to clear Malaysian immigration as the European Union had issued a new list the day before on countries whose citizens were allowed to travel into Europe, due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Malaysia was not among the 15 countries allowed into Europe.

Two other Moto2 riders – Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team and Aspar Team’s Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah – are scheduled to leave for Spain within the next two days.

Four ZK Racing Team riders were allowed to leave last week for Portugal for the opening race of the CEV European Championship. Adam Norrodin, Ibrahim Norrodin, Syariffudin Azman and Sharul Ezwan are now in Estoril.

Khairul spent the last three seasons in Moto2 where he struggled for form but has returned to

Moto3 this year.

He finished 26th from 31 riders in the season-opening race in Qatar in March but is hoping to pick up the pace.

“I feel really happy that we are able to race again and I know I need to follow all the SOPs.

“I had been training at Sepang recently with the ZK Racing Team guys and hope to put in more training sessions in Spain before the campaign starts,” added the twotime race winner, who will ride alongside experienced Scotsman John McPhee this year.

McPhee, who placed second in Qatar, is gunning for the championship title this season.