WILD CARD ENTRY FOR MALAYSIAN MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- A wild card entry for Malaysian riders after a
lapse of seven years is expected to rejunevate interest among local spectators
in the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix on Oct 24 and 25.

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Ahmad Razlan
Ahmad Razali said more than 60,000 fans were expected for the race being held
for the 19th time in Malaysia.

He said the wild card granted in the 125cc was a big step forward for
Malaysia,
which last saw its own rider blazing the track in 2002, through Shahrol Yuzy
Ahmad Zaini.

"It's not cheap to put a rider in the Grand Prix, but still much more
cheaper
than putting a driver in the F1. We have an abundance in talent and this wild
card entry is timely," he said after launching a media promotion campaign for
the championship here with Tourism Malaysia.

Ahmad Razlan, a car racer himself, said the three-month selection to pick
Malaysia's wild card entry had been narrowed to four riders from the initial
17 top riders from various domestic championships.

He said the identity of the Malaysian rider for the 125cc would be known
after the fasting period later this month, when Italy's Ongetta Team I.S.P.A
arrives at the SIC to test the competition bike once used by an Indonesia rider
in the grand prix, two years ago.

"Our wild card entry will race under the Ongetta Team I.S.P.A, one of the
top five teams. We have a fast bike used by the Indonesian rider...so it's all
up to the rider to prove his capability," said Ahmad Razlan.

The four finalists currently undergoing a two-month training session at SIC
under the guidance of Shahrol Yuzy are Elly Idzlianizar Ilias, Mohd Iskandar
Raduan, Mohd Farid Ahmad and Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin.

Ahmad Razlan said SIC was stepping up its campaign to promote the Malaysian
Grand Prix and road tours are planned next in Jakarta, Singapore and Brunei.

He said Thai motorsport fans could flock to Sepang to watch their idol
Ratthapark Wilairot in action, closer to home.

Ratthapark joined the 250cc World Championship in 2007 as a member of the
Thai Honda PTT SAG team.

-- BERNAMA