AHMAD Afif Amran sent out an early warning to his CP150 rivals after clinching a well-calculated win at the opening round of the Petronas Malaysia Cub Prix Championships at Sepang Circuit yesterday.
Afif (14:32.412s) and teammate Izzat Zaidi Salehan (+0.023s) secured a 1-2 for Petronas Sprinta Yamaha-CKJ Racing with Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor's Haziq Fairues (+0.043s) completing the podium.
Izzat and Afif had qualified 1-2 in the morning Superpole session but blended into the front group just after the start at Sepang.
Nazirul Izzat Bahauddin (Onexox TKKR Racing Team), Izzat and Afif then proceeded to take turns leading the pack, but the latter showed his experience when it mattered.
Afif timed his run to the finish to perfection, pipping Izzat to the line by half-a-wheel.
"It is great to start the season on a strong note," said Dungun-born Afif.
"I have to thank my crew who have been working very hard behind the scenes by conducting research and development since last year to improve the bike.
"My goal this season is to help the team become overall champions."
Overall defending champion Azroy Hakeem Anuar's (Honda Yuzy Idemitsu Team) season got off to a poor start when he crashed out on lap nine.
Former World Championship riders Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor) and Khairul Idham Pawi (SCK Honda Racing Team) settled for 11th (+1.367s) and 18th (+4.511s), respectively.
The CP125 category race saw Hafiza Rofa (Onexox TKKR Racing Team) winning in 11:20.624s, while Syamil Amsyar Md Iffende (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha-31 Racing) won the Wira KBS class opener in 7:13.921s.
The second round of the series will be held at the Tangkak Circuit on May 14-15.