Rody doubles up - in rd 2 of Open championship

Winners with Datuk Astaman who presented the winner's cup...
Rody in action in final race
Rody centre flanked by Nazrie on his right and Azmi...

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Sunday, 26 Aug 2007 – Rody Sofian Buang, 26, who is Malaysia’s first JAWA 500cc trainee and riding for Team Seri Putra, showed mastery skills to repeat his round 1 win in last night’s Speedway Malaysia’s NFC Open Championship round 2 held at the Bukit Jalil Family Park in Kuala Lumpur. Rody thus became the first Speedway double winner in Malaysia as the other two championships for under 21 and under 25 riders saw different winners after two rounds had been run. Nazrie Ramli of Team Titiwangsa finished second.

Earlier, second spot finisher Nazrie gave Rody a scare when he capitalised on Rody’s mistakes and beat Rody to second place in heat 11. Rody’s team-mate, Azmi Kaseran took the final podium spot with a determined charge in the final race to edge out Amli Jamat of Team Nova.

It was a very tense final race as Rody knew he had to protect his reputation for being selected to be the first JAWA 500cc trainee but his defeat in heat 11 did not affect him. Nazrie was buoyant after beating Rody in the heat and he knew he had to give his best with his team sponsor Datuk Astaman Abd Aziz, MP of Titiwangsa present at the event watching him. The final saw very close racing between the two but in the end Rody prevailed.

“It was not as easy a win as people may think as Nazrie put up a really good fight. We are all very happy that our team has two on the podium and we aim to win the championship for everyone who has supported us and the team,” said Rody after the prize presentation ceremony.

Nazrie thanked his sponsor, Datuk Astaman and his team members who gave him a lot of support but said, “Rody was just too good tonight but I will keep on trying to beat him in the remaining rounds.”

Azmi was overjoyed with his first podium finish and said, “I am very happy to accumulate the points. My objective is to finish in the top three in the championship.”

The championships, organised by the Malaysia Motorsports Organisers and Competitors Association (MMOCA) and promoted by Speedway Malaysia and Kuasa Maksima, is held every Saturday night at the Bukit Jalil Family Park from 8.30pm.

Admission is free for the Merdeka and Ramadhan month of August and September. During the fasting month of Ramadhan, the races will start at 9pm.

For more details of the championships and spectator information readers are requested to contact Speedway Malaysia at tel: 03-8926 1054 or email: office@speedwaymalaysia.com or fax: 03-8926 1504.

Top-six results Open championship Round 2:
Rody Sofian Buang-Team Seri Putra, 2. Nazrie Ramli-Team Titiwangsa, 3. Azmi Kaseran-Team Seri Putra, 4. Amli Jamat-Team Nova, 5. Nur Azman Masdar-Team Titiwangsa, 6. Mohd Azlan Abdullah-Team Nova.

Open championship top-6 points after Round 2: 1. Rody Sofian Buang-24points, 2. Nazrie Ramli-22, 3. Azmi Kaseran-19, 4. Mohd Azlan Abdullah-15, 5. Amli Jamat-15, 6. Khairul Azuad Mahamad Rosdi-Team Samudera-11.

END