I’m still a rookie
Khairul plays down expectations after two wins in Moto3
STARSPORT: Hi, what have you been doing back in Malaysia?
Khairul: I came back with a specific purpose in mind – to prepare my younger brother Anuar Ibrahim Pawi for the remainder of the Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship. He has shown that he can compete for podium finishes, but needs to work on his consistency. Working with him gave me the opportunity to continue with my own physical training.
Anuar’s only 16 and is racing in the Wira category with team Idemitsu Kozi Yam Honda Racing. He finished second in Round 2 at Batu Kawan, Penang, in April. I accompanied him to Teluk Intan for Round 5 of the Malaysian Cub Prix, but he did not finish the race. I miss the cub prix very much ... it was great fun to meet up with fans from Perak.
StarSport: Some people said your first win in Argentina, although by a big margin, was a fluke. Now you have won a second race – also by a big margin. Do you think you have proved a point?
Khairul: I don’t know what to say, I guess I only wanted to race and be competitive at the front and not prove anything to anyone. It’s a good feeling for me. My wins were not easy by any stretch of the imagination.
StarSport: Both your wins came in wet conditions? Do you expect a win on a dry track any time soon?
Khairul: To win a race is never an easy task ... whether on dry or wet conditions. I guess it was just my time. I can fight in normal race conditions, but I do not have the experience. I was fighting at the front in Le Mans (France), Catalunya (Spain) and Mugello (Italy) but I fell.
StarSport: Have your own expectations changed now that you are a two-time GP winner?
Khairul: No, I’m still a rookie and I don’t think of winning when I start. I was in the front pack in three other races and already thinking of the podium, but I fell. I only target to fight at the front but, if I have the chance, I will try.
StarSport: Apart from hitting the gym, what else do you do in your spare time?
Khairul: I go motocross riding. In fact, riding bike is my hobby. I love all kinds of bikes.
StarSport: Do you keep in touch with your fans through social media? Khairul: No, I don’t have the time. In fact, my Honda team discourage us from being too involved with social media as we’re still junior riders. I’m not active on Facebook either. In fact, I don’t carry my mobile phone on race days. It’s only after the race is over that I update my family members.
StarSport: Of the remaining nine races in the second half of the season, surely you must be looking forward to the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sepang Circuit in October. The expectations of the fans and also the media will surely be great. How would you cope with the expectations?
Khairul: I only want to be fighting at the front. I know my fans are behind me, but I hope they understand that sometimes the results may not come as a lot of factors come into play.
As for the media, I used to read articles written about me when I was racing in the CEV World Junior Championship last ,year but now I don’t really follow.
StarSport: Do you read the comments on your Facebook page? Khairul: No, I don’t. StarSport: Which is your favourite track?
Khairul: Many, but if you ask me to choose one, it has to be Mugello (in Italy). It’s fast and enjoyable to ride. StarSport: Who is your favourite rider?
Khairul: Spanish rider Marc Marquez. He is a world champion and I thought he wold be unapproachable. But he turned out be very friendly and he does not have any airs. We’re from the same Honda stable and I have bumped into him and mingled with him many times in the hospitality area.
StarSport: What is your goal in five years’ time .. .to make it to MotoGP?
Khairul: Of course, I hope so, but I’m really sure now. I only want to be fighting at the front in each races. Honda have a long-term plan for me, but they also want results. I guess if I deliver the results, other things will take care itself.