INDIA in F1

Tag: MalaysiaSBK

  • Kabilesh Triumphs at MalaysiaSBK: A New Indian Champion Rises

    Kabilesh Triumphs at MalaysiaSBK: A New Indian Champion Rises

    Sepang (Malaysia), Dec 15, 2024: Fourteen-year-old Indian sensation K.R. Kabilesh burst into the international spotlight at the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) finale on Sunday, claiming his maiden victory on the global stage. Competing in the MSBK 250B class, the youngster clinched two podium finishes, placing second in Race 1 before surging to a commanding win in Race 2 at the famed Sepang International Circuit.

    Though still in his early teens, Kabilesh’s journey has been anything but ordinary. He first turned heads in the Indian Mini GP races in Bengaluru back in 2022, running alongside none other than his father, multiple national champion Rajini Krishnan. Since starting out in the FIM MiniGP Indian Championship, the young rider steadily graduated to national-level racing before making his MSBK debut earlier this year aboard a Kawasaki Ninja 250R. By Round 3 in October, he was already a podium finisher. At the season finale, he lifted his performance even further. He is also the youngest rider to win in the MSBK.

    Race 1 saw Kabilesh seize the lead from the start, fending off a relentless challenge from Indonesian rider Rakha Bima Saktiansyah. Despite relinquishing the top spot on Lap 4, he remained in hot pursuit, ultimately crossing the line a razor-thin 0.014 seconds behind his rival, a clear indicator of the fight he was willing to bring.

    That narrow defeat only fueled his determination. In Race 2, Kabilesh delivered a stunning performance, building a four-second cushion over Saktiansyah that his competitor simply couldn’t overcome. The result capped a stellar rookie season, propelling Kabilesh to a fourth-place finish in the overall standings with a total of 81 points.

    For Kabilesh, racing is more than a passion. It’s in his DNA. His father, Rajini Krishnan, is an iconic figure in Indian motorsport, boasting 11 national titles, as well as the Losail Asian Champion (600cc) crown and MSBK championships. Kabilesh, following in those legendary footsteps, has already begun carving out his own legacy.

    “It’s rewarding to see my hard work pay off,” Kabilesh said after the race. “While other kids play, I’m out there travelling and racing. It’s a sacrifice, but today’s result makes it all worth it. This is just the beginning of a long, challenging road.”

    Caption: Eleven time National champion, Rajini Krishnan, left and India’s first rider in MotoGp, Sarath, who also coached the youngster, pose with Kabilesh after his win at Sepang on Sunday.

    The young rider was quick to credit the man who paved the way. “I am extremely thankful to my dad, Rajini Krishnan, without whom I wouldn’t be here. He’s my hero, my mentor, and my inspiration. I dedicate this win to him,” Kabilesh added.

    With talent forged on familiar tracks at home and now proven on the international stage, Kabilesh’s star is unmistakably on the rise—just like the racing dynasty he proudly represents.

  • No fanfare, low-key debut, but TVS makes silent splash: MalaysianSBK

    No fanfare, low-key debut, but TVS makes silent splash: MalaysianSBK

    Jagan Kumar at the Malaysia Super Bikes Championship on Saturday. INDIAinF1 photo

    Sepang, 9 Nov 2019: One of India’s largest bike manufacturer, TVS, made a surprise low-key debut in the 2019 Malaysia Superbikes Championship (MSBK). There was little fanfare to accompany this late entry made under the name of Malaysian team, 31 Racing.

    However, the Indian marquee did not stay low-key for long. Helmed by Thai rider Vorapong Malahuan, the TVS 310RR quickly made its mark on the first day of practice when Vorapong posted the fifth fastest time of the day. The team’s handpicked Indian riders, Jagan Kumar and KY Ahmed were 11th and 26th fastest respectively.

    The three riders improved further in the qualifier. Vorapong was still fifth fastest but shaved a full second off his fastest time. He lined up on second row with a personal best of ‘2’31.667s. Jagan made it into the top-10 at the qualifier while KY Ahmed went from 26th to 13th quickest.

    “We really had no idea what to expect in this first race. The team had worked hard on the bike, but our efforts were stymied by bad weather during the testing stage. Each time we booked a track for testing, the skies opened up and we could barely get anything done,” explained TVS’s lead developmental rider, Vorapong.

    In spite of the handicap, the seasoned Thai campaigner proved to be a fierce competitor for TVS. He scored a double podium on the second day when he finished third in Race 1 and second in Race 2.

    Following race regulations of the WSBK, the MSBK offers the 1000cc Superbike Championship and the 1000cc Superstock Championship for full-fledged production bikes. It also runs the Supersport Championship in accordance to race regulations of the 600cc World Series at the WSBK. As a multi-pronged series, the MSBK is also established as a platform to unearth new talents. Hence, it created series for the lower classes bikes like the Super 250, which it introduced last season.