Hakim hopes to carry ATC winning momentum into red bull motogp rookies Cup

SEPANG: After emerging as the overall champion of the Asia Talent Cup (ATC), young national racer Mohd Hakim Danish Ramli aims to maintain the momentum in his maiden Red Bull Motogp Rookies Cup next year.

In the ATC meet held at the Mandalika International Street Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia, on Sunday, the 15-year-old became the first Malaysian and second competitor from Southeast Asia to win the overall title since the championship began in 2014.

The youngster, who hails from Terengganu, collected 187 points to top the riders’ list, with Japan’s Shinya Ezawa (117) and Indonesia’s Vede Ega (141) in second and third positions respectively.

Hakim, who is the second of four siblings, is thrilled to bits and grateful to have brought the curtains down on the 2022 season in style, thus hoping to carry that winning feeling into the new year.

“I am very happy to be the overall champion in the ATC and become the first Malaysian to do so. The competition was very stiff as only three points separated me from Ezawa heading into the Lombok finale.

“I’m satisfied with this year, but I have to work harder next year and maintain the momentum because I’ll be riding in the Red Bull Rookies Cup where riders from Europe are super fast. So, I will have to start making early preparations,” he said.

Hakim was also quick to dedicate his ATC victory to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), the ZK Racing crew and all his family members for always supporting and encouraging him.

The youngster paved the way for himself to clinch the ATC overall title after finishing first in races one and two of round two in Lombok in March, followed by victories in race one of round four in Thailand and race one of round five at the SIC last month.

Meanwhile, SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said he was very pleased with Hakim’s success this season, which should make the public more aware of the existence of motorsports.

“We can see that he (Hakim) is like a raw diamond that needs to be polished together with ZK Racing manager Zulfahmi Khairuddin and the team,” he said.

“So far, from discussions about the future with the team manager, Hakim will race in the ATC for another year and make his maiden appearance in the Red Bull Rookies Cup,” he said. — Bernama