KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Jan – Since its inaugural tournament in 2009, Malaysia remain as the big winners in the Malaysia Masters Badminton Championships but were left without any titles since 2017 when Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing last won the mixed doubles titles in 2017.

Since the inclusion of Perodua and Daihatsu as main sponsors which saw the tournament elevated to the Super 500 tournament in 2018, Malaysia has yet to win any titles although Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi managed to storm into the final.

Both however lost to their opponents in the final of the 2018 and 2019 editions respectively.

The Malaysia Masters began in 2009 as a Grand Prix Gold tournament but was listed as one of the seven Super 500 tournaments following Perodua and Daihatsu’s sponsorship as well as the increase in prize money of USD$400,000 compared to the previous USD$120,000.

National legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei gave Malaysia the cheers after winning the men’s singles title in 2016 in Penang.

Chong Wei has won the singles crown five times since the inaugural championships in 2009.

Top-ranked Kento Momota from Japan, will be eager to add the Perodua Malaysia Masters title to his collection.

Last year, Momota surprisingly lost to Kenta Nishimoto in the first round.

The men’s singles battle is expected to be unpredictable with South Korea through Son Wan Ho, Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) and Hong Kong’s Angus Ng dominating the last 3 editions while the women’s singles were clearly ruled by India and Thailand.

With China slowly losing grip in the women’s singles with their last trophy came from Yao Xue in 2014, all eyes will again be on Thai women ace, Ratchanok Intanon who will be gunning for a hattrick win in next week’s tournament after winning her titles in 2018 and 2019.

Taiwanese ace and world No. 1, Tai Tzu Ying has not been lucky thus far in the women’s singles competition but India, with Pusarla V. Sindhu (2013 and 2016 champion) and former champion Saina Nehwal (2017) spearheading the squad, they will undoubtedly be one of the hot favourites this time around.

Indonesia were the top winners in the men’s doubles, winning titles in the last four years (twice by Marcus Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya in 2016 and 2019) while Japanese pair won twice since 2016 in the women’s doubles.

Indonesia were clearly dominant in the men’s doubles with four titles in a row since 2016.

Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan started the ball rolling after clinching the 2010 edition.

Marcus Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya followed suit in 2016 and 2019 but they skipped the tournament in 2018, opening the path for young pair of Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Adrianto to ensure Indonesia’s dominance.

The Indonesian pair defeated Malaysia’s Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong in 2018 final.

Prior to that, Berry Agriawan-Hardianto won the title in 2017 in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong won three times in  2009, 2011 and 2012 while Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah took the 2013 title.

Japanese shuttlers, with the Tokyo Olympics looming closer at home, will be going all out to make their mark where champions, Yuki Fukushima-Hirota and Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino will again be relied upon to deliver the goods in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles respectively.

The Perodua Malaysia Masters presented by Daihatsu 2020, scheduled at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil from January  7-12, is expected to draw huge attention with its star-studded field ready to entertain fans with top and thrilling action throughout the week-long tournament.

PAST CHAMPIONS

 2019

Men’s Singles:          Son Wah Ho (KOR)

Women’s Singles:    Ratchanok Intanon (THA)

Men’s Doubles:         Marcus Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sakamuljo (INA)

Women’s Doubles:   Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota (JPN)

Mixed Doubles:        Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino (JPN)

2018

Men’s Singles:           Viktor Axelsen (DEN)

Women’s Singles:     Ratchanok Intanon (THA)

Men’s Doubles:         Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto (INA)

Women’s Doubles:   Kamilla Rytter Juhl-Christinna Pedersen (DEN)

Mixed Doubles:        Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet (HKG)

2017

Men’s Singles:           Angus Ng (HKG)

Women’s Singles:     Saina Nehwal (IND)

Men’s Doubles:         Benny Angriawan-Hardianto (INA)

Women’s Doubles:   Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai (THA)

Mixed Doubles:         Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (MAS)

2016

Men’s Singles:            Datuk Lee Chong Wei  (MAS)

Women’s Singles:      P.V. Sindhu (IND)

Men’s Doubles:           Marcus Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sakamuljo (INA)

Women’s Doubles:     Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi (JPN)

Mixed Doubles:          Zheng Siwei-Li Yunhui (CHN)

2015

Men’s Singles:             Lee Hyun-il (KOR)

Women’s Singles:       Nozomi Okuhara (JPN)

Men’s Doubles:            Kenta Kazun0-Kazushi Yamada (JPN)

Women’s Doubles:      Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl (DEN)

Mixed Doubles:            Jaochim Fisher Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen (DEN)

2014

Men’s Singles:              Simon Santoso (INA)

Women’s Singles:        Yao Xue (CHN)

Men’s Doubles:            Danny Bawa Chrisnanta-Chayut Triyachart (SIN)

Women’s Doubles:      Huang Yaqiong-Yu Xiaohan (CHN)

Mixed Doubles:            Lu Kai-Huang Yaqiong (CHN)

2013

Men’s Singles:             Alamsyah Yunus (INA)

Women’s Singles:       P.V. Sindhu (IND)

Men’s Doubles:            Goh V Shem-Lim Kim Wah (MAS)

Women’s Doubles:      Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth-Rizki Amelia Pradipta (INA)

Mixed Doubles:            Praveen Jordan-Vita Marissa (INA)

2012

Men’s Singles:              Datuk Lee Chong Wei (MAS)

Women’s Singles:        BusananOngbumrungpan (THA)

Men’s Doubles:            Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (MAS)

Women’s Doubles:     Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty (MAS)

Mixed Doubles:          Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (MAS)

2011

Men’s Singles:             Datuk Lee Chong Wei (MAS)

Women’s Singles:       Wang Xin (CHN)

Men’s Doubles:            Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (MAS)

Women’s Doubles:      Miyuki Maeda-Satoko Suetsuna (JPN)

Mixed Doubles:            Tontowi Ahmad-LiliyanaNatsir (INA)

2010

Men’s Singles:              Datuk Lee Chong Wei (MAS)

Women’s Singles:        Yip Pui Yin (HKG)

Men’s Doubles:            Markis Kido-Hendrawan (INA)

Women’s Doubles:      Duanganong Aroonkesorn-Voravichitchaikul (THA)

Mixed Doubles:            Devin Lahardi Fitriawan-Liliyana Natsir (INA)

2009

Men’s Singles:               Datuk Lee Chong Wei (MAS)

Women’s Singles:         Wang Shixian (CHN)

Men’s Doubles:              Koo Kean Kiet-Tan Boon Heong (MAS)

Women’s Doubles:        Ma Jin-Wang Xiao Lin (CHN)

Mixed Doubles:             Zheng Bo-Ma Jin (CHN)

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Jan – The absence of Benjamin Dyball – the yellow jersey winner of Le Tour de Langkawi 2019,  has not affected the confidence level of Sapura Cycling Team (TSC) as they look to maintain their supremacy at Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi 2020 slated for February 7-14.

TSC team manager, Sayuti Zahit admitted that while it will be hard to fill the vacuum left behind with the departure of Australian Dyball, he nevertheless felt that the current line-up of riders which they have chosen for the 25th edition of Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi will deliver what is expected of them.

“It has always been the objective on the formation of TSC to provide a platform for riders from Malaysia and abroad to showcase their quality. And we at Sapura is very pleased that Dyball has managed to demonstrate his ability enough to attract a World Tour team like NTT (formerly Dimension Data) to sign him,” said Sayuti.

“This is the fourth year for TSC has competed in Asia and we are grateful that our sponsors have once again come forward to support us.

“Our main sponsors, Sapura alongside Castelli, Rudy Project, Shimano and Cervelo have been fabulous. With the backing that we have, it is not impossible to be competitive and look to deliver even bigger victories in 2020.”

TSC which had a modest beginning back in 2017 where they won just four stages, did better in 2018 before completing 2019 with an awesome 26 stage victories alongside picking up four yellow jerseys.

The most satisfying obviously was Dyball’s yellow jersey win at Petronas LTdL 2019 right at home and in front of their home fans and where it went on to establish TSC as a powerhouse in Asia.

But with the 25th edition of Petronas LTdL in 2020 now a Pro Series race by UCI, Sayuti said that it will be an even tougher field to beat with a handful of World Tour teams alongside those from Pro Continental set to do battle.

“It is much easier to win stages than it would be taking a jersey. But we will try very hard to make sure that we retain the yellow jersey we won last year.

“I believe that it is possible considering that the race in 2020 will be more on flat terrains suitable for the likes of Marcus Culey, who won the first stage  Kuala Lumpur to Tampin in the previous edition, “ added Sayuti.

“It is for that reason; we have selected mostly spinters for Petronas LTdL 2020. But that is not to say that we have no climbers. We can be competitive up Genting Highlands as well.”

Other than Culey, fresh from his comprehensive victory at the Tour de Selangor a few weeks ago, TSC has included fast maturing Malaysians Nur Aiman Zariff and Muhamad Zawawi Azman alongside the experienced Roy Eefting from Holland.

They will also call on Turkey’s national road race and time trial champion Ahmet Orken; former Floyd Cycling team’s Serghei Tvetcov from Romania and perhaps TSC’s best bet for the yellow jersey Pierpaolo Ficara of Italy, and who was previously with Amore & Vita-Prodir.

As part of TSC’s programme to be competitive for Petronas LTdL 2020, they will be taking part in the Cambodia Bay Cycling Tour (on 6 January) and then on to New Zealand Cycle Classic, Race Tourquay and Jayco Herald Sun Tour in Australia before returning to Kuala Lumpur.

The 8-stage Jubilee edition challenge is scheduled from 7 to 14 February, covering a total distance of 1095.7km across 9 states which include Sarawak, Terengganu, Pahang, Federal Territories (Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur), Selangor, Perak , Penang and Kedah.

SAPURA CYCLING TEAM: Marcus Culey (AUS); Nur Aiman Zariff (MAS); Muhamad Zawawi Azman (MAS); Roy Eefting (NED); Ahmet Orken (TUR); SergheiTvetcov (ROM); Pierpaolo Ficara (ITA).

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Jan – Youth Olympic gold medallist and national women’s singles ace, Goh Jin Wei visited her former alma mater, SMK Seri Hartamas today where she gave away tickets to students for this week’s Perodua Malaysia Masters Badminton Championship presented by Daihatsu at the Axiata Arena from Jan 7 to 12.

Jin Wei, 19, handed over a total of 120 tickets for the school’s students to watch the world’s top players in action this week.

With priceless Tokyo Olympic qualifying points up for grabs, the world’s top players have all signed up to compete.

The SMK Seri Hartamas students will get a chance to catch Jin Wei in action this week as she was recently given the green light by her doctor to compete again, following a major surgery three months ago.

Jin Wei will compete in the qualifying competition which starts on Jan 7.

Jin Wei is eager to pick up from where she left off and get her Olympic dream back on track, and a decent start this week will help.

For the record, Jin Wei performed remarkably in last year’s Perodua Malaysia Masters presented by Daihatsu where she reached the semi-finals after disposing off Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) and He Bingjiao (China).

She, however, fell to eventual champion Ratchanok Inthanon of Thailand in the last four.

“I’m happy to be back to my old school. It brings back a lot of memories of my time here, I learn a lot from this school,” said Jin Wei who added that she was pleased to be able to provide some complimentary tickets to the school.

“I hope they can come and support us and see the national team perform.”

On her return to action, Jin Wei explained that it will take some time to recover. “My current condition is at about 75 percent. I have to work harder to get back to 100 percent and even better. I don’t want to rush things at this stage,

Jin Wei is happy to have a chance at playing in the Malaysia Masters and said just wanted want to enjoy the tournament.

“I am not putting put any expectations on myself because I have not fully recovered, but its good platform for me to asses and see how my body is recovering.”

Also present at the school today were SMK Seri Hartamas Headmistress, Suzieany Mohd. Haris (second from right)  and Co-Curriculum Administrative Assistant,  Rohana Md Noh (right).

Meanwhile, badminton fans are reminded that it is free entry for matches on Jan 7.

Ticket charges will only be applied for all matches starting from Jan 8 to the final date on Jan 12.

Tickets are priced starting from RM49 to RM289 with the following categories (upper, lower, premium) while for students aged between 4 and 18-years-old (born between 2001 and 2017) need only to pay between RM13 to RM74 depending on the ticket class.

For the first time too, season passes have also been made available. For further information, please click on to http://www.myticket.asia/

KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Dec – The year 2019 belonged to World No 1 Kento Momota who ended the season with a bang as he clinched his record 11th title by taking the season-ending BWF Tour Finals in Guangzhou, China earlier this month.

Former Malaysian ace and World No1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei won 10 titles in 2010.

Now the 25-year-old Momota wants to start the new season with a ‘bang’ too when he competes in the season opener in the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500 the USD400,000 Perodua Malaysia Masters Badminton Championship 2020 presented by DAIHATSU which will be held at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil from Jan 7-12.

Momota is the top seed and hot favorite to win the Malaysia Masters but the Japanese ace, however, humbly says he is “not a legend yet” like China’s five-time world champion and two-time Olympics gold medallist Lin Dan and his idol, Chong Wei.

While Lin Dan is still playing competitive badminton on the world tour, Chong Wei is now retired due to health issues after being diagnosed with nose cancer.

Dubbed a “complete player” for his exploits on the court, Momota wants to kickstart the new season on winning mode to embark on his personal mission – next year’s Tokyo Olympics in August.

Momota wants to wipe out the “pain” he underwent in 2016 when the Nippon Badminton Association slapped him with an indefinite ban after he was found guilty of gross indiscipline for gambling at illegal casinos in Japan.

It was a painful episode that saw him miss the Rio Olympics where he was touted as a medal prospect. The ban was lifted in May 2017.

The undisputed “shuttle king” wrote himself into the record books by winning his 11th title in 2019 when he came back from a game down to beat Indonesia’s World No 7 Anthony Ginting 17-21, 21-17, 21-14 in a pulsating 87-minute encounter in the World Tour Finals in Guangzhou.

It made up for his defeat to China Shi Yuqi in the World Tour Finals in 2018.

The win in Guangzhou was the icing on the cake for Momota who a day earlier was named the BWF Player of the Year for 2019. He retained the world and Asian titles apart from winning the prestigious All-England title.

Momota, however, is “not satisfied yet” and boldly added that “I’m aiming higher and higher” which makes him the star attraction at Malaysia Masters at the Axiata Arena.

The Japanese ace will open his season’s campaign against India’s former Commonwealth Games champion P. Kashyap. A win will pit him against compatriot Kanta Tsuneyama (ranked No 16) or India’s No 26 ranked H.S. Prannoy for a place in the quarter-finals.

 KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Dis – Kejuaraan Superbike Malaysia (MSBK) bagi musim 2020 bakal membuka tirainya pada April depan.

Kejuaraan kebangsaan itu yang merangkumi lima pusingan, akan dilangsungkan secara eksklusif di Litar  Sepang.

Ia akan bermula dengan aksi bagi  Pusingan 1 yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 3 hingga 5 April diikuti Pusingan 2 pada 7 hingga 9 Ogos.

Saingan Pusingan 2 ini akan  berlangsung serentak dengan kejuaraan Asia Talent Cup.

Pusingan 3 pula hanya akan menyenaraikan perlumbaan bagi kelas MSBK250 kerana persamaan tarikh dengan Kejuaraan Motosikal Asia (ARRC).

Justeru, ia bakal menjadi sebahagian daripada perlumbaan pada saingan Pusingan 6 ARRC 2020 nanti.

Aksi penutup tirai bagi edisi 2020 bakal menyaksikan dua pusingan diangsungkan serentak iaitu Pusingan 4 dan 5.

Ia dijadualkan berlangsung pada 16 hingga 18 Oktober nanti.

KALENDAR KEJUARAAN SUPERBIKE MALAYSIA 2020

Pusingan 1        3-5 April

Pusingan 2           7-9 Ogos

Pusingan 3           25-27 September

Pusingan 4 & 5     16-18 Oktober

(*NOTA: Semua perlumbaan dilangsungkan di Litar Sepang)

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Dec – After taking a “very positive break” before the training camp in Ehime, Japan, Malaysia’s No 1 shuttler Lee Zii Jia will be ready for a fresh start for the next season’s opening – the Perodua Malaysia Masters Badminton Championship 2020 presented by DAIHATSU.

The USD400,000 HSBC BWF World Tour event will be held at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil from Jan 7-12 and has attracted a strong international field as the Tokyo Olympics qualifying rounds hit the home stretch.

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann said the time has come for Zii Jia, who ended the year on a high note by winning the men’s singles gold in the recent SEA Games in the Philippines, to stand up and be counted.

The 21-year-old Zii Jiahas a tough opener against third seed and World No 4 Anders Antonsen of Denmark. The Dane has beaten the Malaysian in both the previous two meetings this year and both were achieved in Indonesia.

Zii Jia lost 13-21, 13-21 in the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters and 16-21, 11-21 in the Blibli Indonesia Open.

“He faces a very good opponent but I am looking forward to a good start by Zii Jia after winning the gold in the SEA Games. It is a boost to help him prepare how to pace and handle expectations,” said Choong Hann.

“Zii Jia should learn to understand and grow himself to a bigger stage. The time has come for Zii Jia to show his potential what more when he will have the home support in the stands.”

The Malaysian who is currently ranked No 14, returned to his hometown AlorSetar to take a break from badminton and indulge himself in basketball. His parents -dad Lee Chee Hin and mum Leow Siet Peng – teachers and former basketball internationals.

Zii Jia says the break from badminton has left him “refreshed and energised “for the new badminton season and is termed as Malaysia’s next big name in badminton after former World No 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei who has now retired due to ill-health.

The Kedahan won the men’s singles gold in Manila in the 30th Philippines SEA Games with a 21-18, 21-18 win over Singapore’s Malaysian-born Loh Kean Yew in the final. He also helped Malaysia win the silver medal in the men’s team event in the biennial games in the Philippines.

Zii Jia, currently ranked No 14, (his highest was No 11), took up the game at the age of six when his father took him to a badminton club in his hometown.

Bitten by the shuttle bug, Zii Jia moved up to better things in the game and won the bronze medal in the 2016 World Junior Championships when he lost to Indonesia’s Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo in the semi-finals.

The same year he reached the final in the India International Series but failed to win the title after losing to India’s Lakshya Sen.

A year later he won his first senior international title when he defeated compatriot Soong Joo Ven 21-17, 21-16 in the Polish International men’s singles final.

In 2018, Zii Jia achieved a “breakthrough” in his badminton career when he won the Chinese Taipei Open (Super 300). After knocking out home favorite Chou Tien Chen in the semi-finals the young Malaysian defeated Japan’s Riichi Takeshita 21-17, 16-21, 21-11 for his first BWF World Tour title.

This year, Zii Jia reached the quarter-finals in the Malaysian Masters, the Indonesia Masters, and German Open and reached the semi-finals in the Thailand Open.

In the World Championships in Basel, Switzerland in August, Zii Jia reached the quarter-finals but was shown the exit by eventual champion Kento Momota of Japan.

When Zii Jia helped Malaysia win the bronze medal in the Badminton Asia Team  Championships in Alor Setar in 2018 former world No 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei hailed him as the next big name in Malaysian badminton.

Zii Jia has taken the scalps of some of the big names in world badminton, including reigning Olympic champion Chen Long of China and former world champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.

However, Zii Jia’s inconsistency is a disturbing factor but the Badminton Association of Malaysian (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann is confident that Zii Jia will be able to make a breakthrough in his badminton career once some nagging personal issues are cleared up.

The national team is currently training in Ehime, Japan since last Sunday.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 – Debutants Pearly Tan Koong Le-M Thinaah are bent on making impact in the upcoming PERODUA Malaysia Masters Badminton Championship 2020 presented by DAIHATSU at Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur Sports City from 7-12 January.

The national women doubles pair have been drawn against Danish pair Alexandra Boje-Mette Poulsen in the opening qualifying rounds and will square off against either compatriot Anna Ching Yik Cheong-Lim Chiew Sen or Indonesia’s Anggia Shitta Awanda-Pia Zebadiah Bernadet in the next round.

The newly-formed pair hope to continue their winning momentum after their recent international victories and will be relying on effective on-court communication to get the better of their opponent at Axiata Arena.

“Next year we will be taking things one at a time to build our confidence, help us win points and improve our current rankings,” said Thinaah.

Partner Pearly Tan, the 2018 World Youth Championships runners-up, will be relying on their coaches to guide them and chart out the most effective strategy in their bid to go beyond the qualifying rounds and make it to the main draw.

“We’re still new as a pair and need more tournaments to build our confidence and experience.  Winning two titles in the International Challenge and International Series this year were simply great. Moving forward into the new decade, we hope to be given the chance to compete in more high-level tournaments such as the Super 100,” said the 19 year-old Pearly.

On the upcoming Perodua Malaysia Masters 2020, Pearly hopes to secure a spot in the main draw but will not be pressured by the target.

The presence of world-class pairs including  Greysia Polii–Apriyani Rahayu of Indonesia and Mayu Matsumoto – Wakana Nagahara provide great opportunity for young pairs to learn from the best in Kuala Lumpur.

Pearly-Thinaah tasted their first victory as a pair after winning the Victor Malaysia International Series in Ipoh in June before finishing as runner-up in the Sydney International 2019 in September.

The pair continue to show promise after clinching the winners’ title in the Infosys Foundation – India International Challenge 2019 in November before ending their 2019 campaign on a high after winning the Yonex Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge 2019 this month.

Perodua Malaysia Masters 2020, BWF’s Super 500 tournament, will take place from 7 -12 January and offers a total prize money of USD400,000.

Perodua Malaysia Masters 2020 carries great significance for players who will be going all out to secure valuable points for qualification towards 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Fans will be given a “free treat” to watch the tournament on 7 January 2020 as the Badminton Association Malaysia (BAM) has confirmed that there will be no ticket charges on that particular day.

Tickets will only be charged for matches from 8 to 12 January. Tickets purchased from now until 25 December are entitled for a 10 percent discount.

Tickets ranging from RM49 to RM289 according to categories (upper, lower, premium) are now on sale. Tickets ranging from RM13 to RM74 are also on sale now for students aged 4-18 and those born between 2001 to 2017.

Season passes are also available for the tournament.

For further information and enquiries, log on to http://www.myticket.asia/

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Dis –  Kejuaraan Cub Prix Malaysia PETRONAS akan terus mengukuhkan kerjasama dengan kerajaan negeri serta para pemegang hak dalam usaha untuk mewujudkan lebih banyak kemudahan litar lumba kekal untuk melancarkan penganjuran kejuaraan nasional itu.

Setakat ini, tiga pusingan untuk musim 2020 nanti  bakal dilangsungkan di litar lumba kekal dan ini adalah seiring dengan objektif utama pihak penganjur untuk membantu kemudahan sedia ada, selain menuntut lebih banyak fasiliti perlumbaan diwujudkan pada masa akan datang.

“Tiga puluh peratus daripada kejuaraan ini bakal diadakan di litar kekal dan ia merupakan satu permulaan yang baik. Sejujurnya, Cub Prix mahukan lebih banyak pusingan diadakan di litar tetap yang serba lengkap, sekali gus menepati standard yang dituntut dalam kejuaraan kompetitif seperti ini.

“Buat masa ini, kami sedang bekerjasama dengan beberapa tuan rumah bagi venue kejuaraan yang telah menunjukkan minat untuk mengubah litar jalanan kepada litar lumba kekal. Justeru, kami berharap usaha ini akan menjadi berita gembira untuk dikongsi pada pertengahan musim 2020 nanti,” jelas Pengarah Safe Aim Mutual Sdn Bhd, Ron Hogg.

Daripada 10 pusingan yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada musim 2020 nanti, tiga pusingan akan diadakan di litar lumba kekal iaitu di Litar Lumba Tangkak, Johor, Litar Permotoran Kompleks Sukan Negeri Terengganu di Kuala Terengganu dan pusingan penutup musim di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang.

Kalendar Kejuaraan Cub Prix Malaysia PETRONAS musim 2020 akan bermula pada bulan Mac depan dengan Litar Lumba Tangka bakal menjadi venue untuk pusingan pembuka tirai.

Pusingan kedua akan berlangsung di Batu Kawan, Pulau Pinang diikuti Pusingan 3 di Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Selepas aksi di Kota Bharu, kejuaraan berprestij ini akan berehat seketika bagi menghormati bulan Ramadan dan Syawal, dan selepas itu akan diteruskan dengan aksi Pusingan 4 yang akan berlangsung di Pontian, Johor.

Pontian kembali menjadi tuan rumah pada musim 2020 nanti selepas membuat penampilan pertama pada musim 2019 sebagai hos untuk Pusingan 4.

Teluk Intan akan menjadi hos untuk Pusingan 5 diikuti Kangar yang bakal menjadi venue untuk saingan Pusingan 6.

Litar Permotoran Kompleks Sukan Negeri Terengganu yang membuat kemunculan sulung sebagai hos pada musim 2019 akan menjadi tuan rumah untuk Pusingan 7 pada bulan September.

Venue untuk Pusingan 8 masih belum diputuskan buat ketika ini dan ia akan diumumkan kemudian.

Seperti baisa, Jempol, Negeri Sembilan kekal sebagai hos untuk Pusingan 9 diikuti aksi penutup musim di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang pada bulan November nanti.

Berikut kalendar Kejuaraan Cub Prix Malaysia PETRONAS untuk musim 2020:

Pusingan 1 – Litar Lumba Tangkak, Johor (14-15 Mac)

Pusingan 2 – Batu Kawan, Pulau Pinang (28-29 Mac)

Pusingan 3 – Kota Bharu, Kelantan (17-18 April)

Pusingan 4 – Pontian, Johor (13-14 Jun)

Pusingan 5 – Teluk Intan, Perak (11-12 Julai)

Pusingan 6 – Kangar, Perlis (29-30 Ogos)

Pusingan 7 – Kuala Terengganu (11-12 September)

Pusingan 8 – AKAN DITENTUKAN KEMUDIAN (10-11 Oktober)

Pusingan 9 – Jempol, Negeri Sembilan (7-8 November)

Pusingan 10 – Litar Antarabangsa Sepang (21-22 November)