The all-new Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Racing Team today officially unveiled their team and sponsors ahead of their eagerly-anticipated World Motorcycle Championship Moto3 debut in Qatar at the end of this month.
The Malaysian Moto3 outfit also received a massive boost when energy drink Drive M7 decided to back the team which will be officially registered as the DRIVE M7 SIC RACING TEAM this year.
“The support of a main sponsor and other official partners is almost the perfect start for the team this season. Acquiring sponsorship, especially for a new team, can be very challenging. However, like us at SIC, there are others who believe in the team and what it can achieve. We welcome these sponsors and thank them for their support,” commented SIC CEO, Dato’ Razlan Razali, at the official launch of the team and sponsors today.
Brandishing its exciting and colourful livery, the Drive M7 SIC Racing Team made their first official appearance today. With experienced team manager Johan Stigefelt at the helm, the team will have Malaysian Moto3 star Zulfahmi Khairuddin and Czech ace Jakub Kornfeil leading the team’s assault on the track.
Speaking at the launch, Mutiara Motors Group Sales and Marketing Director Mahathir Ahmad, representing the owners of Drive M7 Energy Drink, said, “It has always been our vision and passion to see local teams participating and competing at the highest stage. We were elated when Dato’ Razlan invited us to be a partner for the SIC Racing Team. We believe the team has a lot of experience and will offer stiff competition in the Moto3 category this year. It is a great honour for us to support our local team and also our local rider. Furthermore, collaboration with SIC gives us a lot of options to explore possibilities for our brands, namely Drive M7 Energy Drink and M7 Pro Oil, as they have many local and international events here at the Sepang international Circuit, besides international brand name exposure as sponsors.”
Meanwhile, Stigefelt said he felt the team was competitive enough to create some waves in Moto3. “I would like for us to reach some podiums and to be fighting within the top ten. I believe we have a strong team and two good riders that are determined to show what they are capable of. I think Jakub and Fahmi can do a great job. They get on very well and like to work together and I think this is another advantage for our team.”
“To have Drive M7 as our title sponsor means a lot to us. They bring a great profile to the team. It is a privilege to have them as our partner,” said Stigefelt, who is popularly known in the racing circles as Stiggy. “I would like to also thank Dato’ Razlan for trusting in me to bring this team together and SIC for allowing this opportunity. I hope to show our thanks and appreciation with good results.”
Zulfahmi, who is itching for action this season, said: “I have been racing in the World Championship for five years, so it is great that now I can ride for a Malaysian team. I’m also encouraged with the set-up we have now. I am very hopeful that it will be a better year than I have had in the past. One of my goals for this year is to be competitive from the first round and I know we have the package to do this.”
Kornfeil, who was 12th overall in the world championship last year, is thrilled with the opportunity that he has. “We have been here in Malaysia since 16 February and on our test days it’s been great to be able to use the track all day long in such good conditions. I must say a big thank you to SIC for this possibility. The hot conditions have allowed us to set-up the bike very well and I believe this will allow us to be better prepared at many of the other circuits too, where the temperatures are not as high.”
“It’s too early to say exactly what our goals are for the season but of course we will always aim to be at the front. I am feeling positive and am confident that we can do well.”
The Malaysian team, which opens their campaign on 29 March in the season-opening race in Qatar, also has as their sponsors the following companies and organisations for the indicated items and services: M7 Pro Oil (oil for the engines), Accossato (brake and clutch levers and throttle control unit), RK (chains and sprockets), PRO-Bolt (titanium bolts and nuts for the bikes), Sport Travel (official agency for flights, cars and hotel bookings), CL Brakes (brake pads), WP (suspension), Dunlop (tires for Moto3 class), REDOX, MRA (screen), Rudy Project (official sunglasses and riders’ racing gear), Puma (team footwear) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia.
