Mohd Ariff wins Under 25 Round 1

U-25 Rd 1 winners Ariff (top), Shukry (top left) & Haniff (top right) with Dep Director General of Ministry of Youth & Sports, En. Madzrib Ibrahim (centre in blue shirt), Trainer Linden Warner (left) and Referee Matthias Rohde (right).

Winner of U-25 Rd 1, Ariff posing with trophy

PRESS RELEASE, 29 JULY 2007

OFF WORK TRAINING LED HOSPITAL ATTENDANT TO PODIUM WIN

Kuala Lumpur, Sunday 29 July 2007 – Consistent off work training eventually led Mohd Ariff Mohd Ali, of Team Seri Putra to clinch victory in the Round 1 of the NFC Speedway Malaysia Under 25 Championship held at the Bukit Jalil Family Park Speedway circuit last night.

Mohd Ariff, a hospital attendant in Malacca finished first his team-mate Shukry Hanis Haslin andTeam Nova’s Mohd Haniff Borhan to the top of the podium.

The final was keenly contested amongst the six finalists as positions changed hands frequently amongst the top four.

“I usually spend four hours training at the drift site near the Hang Jebat Stadium after my morning shift ends and also on my off days. It helps me to be mentally and physically fit,” said Mohd Ariff.

Although he felt drained at the end of the day, Mohd Ariff said he prefered to let the desire to win triumph over fatigue.

“Today’s win is fantastic. After 6 heats, I was already confident to secure a podium win,” he said.

At the end of the preliminary 12 heats, Mohd Ariff and team-mate Shukry Hanis both secured 11 points with three wins and a second each while Mohd Haniff charted 10 points with two wins and two seconds.

The championships, organised by the Malaysia Motorsports Organisers and Competitors Association (MMOCA), is held every Saturday night for 15 weeks until December. Last night’s race was the first of five rounds for under-25 riders. The first round for the Open category begins next Saturday night on August 4.

A total of six team competed in the race last night. The teams are Team Titiwangsa, Team Maxi Alpha, Nova Racing Team, Team Seri Putra, Team Motivasi and Team Samudera.

"I am satisfied with the race held tonight as the riders have shown their best. Speedway is a mentally and physically challenged sport and the spirit of Malaysia Boleh among the riders is undeniably obvious tonight” said Hanifah Yoong, Speedway Malaysia consultant.

Entry to the Championship meetings every Saturday night is through purchasing the Championship’s souvenir book priced at RM6 each.

Children aged below 12 and accompanied by parents and the disabled are admitted free. Supporting the championship races are the JAWA 500cc demo races. Young Kiwi Speedway stars Sam Taylor and Andrew Aldridge again turned up to thrill the crowds last night with their JAWA 500cc bikes.

Speedway is a very exciting form of motorcycle racing where stripped down motorcycles race around an oval track on a surface of loosely packed crusher run stones compacted with shale. Speedway motorcycles perform without brakes, rear suspension or gears.

The sport started in the United States in 1908 and for the last 100 years has been confined to countries in Europe and America, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

RESULTS ROUND 1 UNDER 25 NFC SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007
Pos/Rider/Team/Points after Rd 1

1st Mohd Ariff Mohd Ali Seri Putra 12
2nd Shukri Hanis Haslin Seri Putra 11
3rd Mohd Haniff Borhan Nova Racing 10