Monday, September 24, 2007

Temerloh's Azizi pips Haniff to the Under 25 title

The champion...
Jubilant Azizi takes the chequered flag in the final race...
Azizi in action in round 4...
Azizi's supporters led by his father turned up in strength...


Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Monday, 24 September 2007: Team Samudera’s Azizi Anuar pipped Mohd Haniff Borhan to win the overall NFC Speedway under 25 Championship after winning last night's final round of the Under 25 NFC championship. Both Azizi and Haniff finished the championship on level points of 42 but Azizi took the title by virtue of his two wins in round 3 and 4 to Haniff's one win in round 2.

“I'm absolutely thrilled to secure a double win tonight. It's the best moment in my life. I knew before the race that it would be tough and I just told myself to go for it and win this Round. I’d never thought about winning the overall title too, never, not even a second. I thank God, my family and coach Linden Warner for my win. Everything worked perfectly today. I was fast at the beginning and able to avoid many clashes. Unbelievable!” exclaimed Azizi who travels from Temerloh in Pahang for the races in the Speedway Malaysia circuit in Kuala Lumpur each week.

A devastated Haniff could not avoid his tears as he finished fourth in round 4 when all he needed was a third finishing spot to clinch the Under 25 title.

In last night's final round, Azizi silenced Sunday night’s supporters of Haniff as he extended his gap from the start. Team Seri Putra’s Mohd Ariff Mohd Ali was the only rider able to keep up with Azizi but his challenge fell off as the race proceeded. “Azizi is quick and on top of that he rode very well today. He deserves to be champion,” said Mohd Ariff who finished second and third overall with 38 points.

Another surprise performance of the night came from Team Titiwangsa’s Mohd Emy Nordin Ahmad who charted his first podium win by winning third. "I really wanted to get a good result and I definitely didn't like losing in the finals like in the previous rounds. I’m glad I gave my all to win a podium spot once," said Mohd Emy who is fourth overall in the championship.

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

The NFC Speedway championships, organised by the Malaysia Motorsports Organisers and Competitors Association (MMOCA) and promoted by Speedway Malaysia, is held every Saturday night at the Family Park near the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex until October.

Top six results, Round 4, Under 25: 1. Azizi Anuar /Team Samudera -12 pts, 2. Mohd Ariff Mohd Ali / Team Seri Putra - 11 pts, 3. Mohd Emy Nordin Ahmad / Team Titiwangsa -10 pts , 4. Mohd Haniff Borhan / Nova Racing Team – 9 pts, 5. Mohd Fizwan Mohd Ridwan/ Team Maxi Alpha – 8pts, 6. Yassir Ashraf Nahar/ Team Motivasi – 7pts

Top 6 championship points after Round 4: Champion: Azizi Anuar / Team Samudera – 42 pts, 2nd: Mohd Haniff Borhan / Nova Racing Team – 42 pts, 3rd: Mohd Ariff Mohd Ali / Team Seri Putra – 38 pts, 4th: Mohd Emy Nordin Ahmad / Team Titiwangsa – 32 pts, 5th: Mohd Shahril Sarahman / Team Motivasi – 31 pts, 6th: Mohd Fizwan Mohd Ridwan / Team Maxi Alpha – 29 pts

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