KUALA LUMPUR – Reigning FIM MiniGP world champion Qabil Irfan Azlan will race in the Spanish Superbike Championship (ESBK) this season.
The 12-year-old will join Spanish team Frando Racing VHC and race for them in the Moto4 category.
The category consists of riders aged 12 to 14-years-old who will compete on circuits in Spain and Portugal.
Moto4 bikes are full-frame motorcycles with 150cc engines and 17-inch rims.
“Qabil will depart for Spain on Sunday accompanied by his father, Azlan, to participate in the preseason test on March 16 and 17 at the Jerez Circuit” and will stay there for the first round on April 6 and 7, said ZK Racing in a statement today.
“The ESBK Championship will consist of seven rounds. Qabil will also compete in the FIM MiniGP Malaysia Series in the 190cc category this year,” added the statement.
Meanwhile, ZK Racing’s team boss Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin has said Qabil’s participation in ESBK is a new initiative that the team has taken to further expand his career.
“Following his success in the FIM MiniGP Malaysia Series and World Finals, we see that at the age of 12, Qabil is ready to take on the challenges in the Moto4 category on European circuits.
“This provides him with an early opportunity to gain experience in the atmosphere and competition of two-wheel racing in Europe. VHC Frando Racing is willing to collaborate with Qabil and they have an excellent track record in the Moto4 category.
“I believe the experience he gains in this championship will be a valuable asset for his development.
“We will be with Qabil throughout this journey, and I will also be present at some races to monitor his progress in this championship,” said Zulfahmi. – March 8, 2024