Super KIP comes out of retirement to race in superbike meet

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11  -- It’s confirmed! Former national Moto3 rider Khairul Idham Pawi has come out of retirement to compete in the 2021 Malaysia Superbike Championship (MBSK) at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from Oct 15-17.

Khairul Idham, who is nicknamed Super KIP, will represent the TKKR Racing Team in the 600cc category.

Admitting to missing competitive racing and coming close to making a return several times, he said it finally materialised when TKKR Racing offered him the chance to join their team as a rider.

“I miss racing… it’s been my ambition since I was a kid and maybe this is the time for me to make a return to racing,” he told a media conference held virtually today.

However, the 23-year-old has not set any targets and, instead, plans to focus on getting used to his bike after being out of action for almost a year.

“I dare not brag because the riders these days are an advanced lot, many have shown improvement. So, I just want to enjoy riding again, get back that feeling of being astride a bike after such a long time out,” he said.

Asked about his fitness level, Khairul Idham said he had always stayed active by helping his father to carry and unload bunches of oil palm fruit in his hometown.

Meanwhile, Khairul Idham said he will begin official training with TKKR Racing on Wednesday (Oct 13).

After competing in the World Motorcycle Championship for five seasons, Khairul Idham stunned his fans when he announced his retirement from motorsports after his services were terminated by Petronas Sprinta Racing last October.

-- BERNAMA