SEPANG, Jan 27 — Malaysia’s Moto2 rider, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah and three-time Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Champion, Afiq Ikhwan Yazid kick started 2018 season in style by winning top honours at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) Awards 2017 tonight.
Hafizh Syahrin who brought pride and joy to the nation with two sensational podium finishes including a second place in San Marino last season, was named as International Rider of the Year and took home the Malaysia Motorsports People’s Choice Award.
The 24-year-old who will be riding for SIC Racing Team this season was also inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Hanifah Yoong and Oh Kah Beng.
Meanwhile, Afiq Ikhwan was crowned as the International Driver of the Year following his excellent performance by maintaining the championship for the third time in a row since 2016.
Malaysia’s professional racing driver, Mitchell Cheah emerged as the National Driver of the Year while 2017 Malaysian Superbike Championship (MBSK) Open 250 Cup winner, Mohd Aiman Tahiruddin won the National Rider of the Year award.
Malaysia’s Moto3 rider, Muhammad Adam Norrodin was named as the Most Improved Rider of the Year while Nazim Azman, who is currently competing in the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship this season won the Most Improved Driver of the Year.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s aspiring Formula 1 driver, Nabil Jeffri who competed in the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Formula 2 World Championship was accorded the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) Motorsports Development Award.
The panel of judges also selected R-Engineering as the Best Team for the four wheel category while HKM Timesbike won the Best Team in the two wheel category.
The ceremony also saw three media practitioners garnering awards, namely Riduan Hanafiah (Kosmo) for the Best Journalist and Osman Adnan (NSTP) for the Best Photographer while Adam Abdul Karim Zamri-Mohd Irsyahdi Tumian (Astro Arena) won the Best Electronic category. — Bernama
