SIC Racing Team have announced their 2018 plans - with Moto3™ riders Adam Norrodin and Ayumu Sasaki remaining with the team, and multiple podium finisher Hafizh Syahrin joining the squad as they put a new challenge together in the Moto2™ World Championship.
The team expands into the intermediate category for 2018 thanks to the new collaboration between Sepang International Circuit [SIC] and Petronas.
The two parties have formed the ‘PETRONAS Sprinta Racing’ team that will focus on the development of talents to compete in the global two-wheel championships. The partnership will continue with the joint efforts of both PETRONAS Talent Development Programme (TDP) and SIC Talent Development Programme (SICTD) to nurture future talent rising from the Malaysian Cub Prix, Asia Road Racing Championship and Asia Talent Cup to pursue their racing careers in the Moto2™ and Moto3™ championships.
Johan Stigefelt, Team Manager: “I’m very happy to announce that we will continue with Adam Norrodin and Ayumu Sasaki in Moto3 next year and to unveil the expansion of our team into the Moto2 class for 2018, with rider Hafizh Syahrin. This is a very exciting time for us!
“We have seen this year the steps both Adam and Ayumu have taken and the progress they have made; they have improved throughout the season and continued to learn from both their mistakes and achievements. Everything we have done with them, all the data we have gathered, all the things we have learned as a team, will be of benefit to us next year. We have seen this already with Adam, who has made a big step from his rookie year in the Championship; we expect the same with Ayumu in 2018.
“It’s also very important for us that we are continuing with Honda. It will be our third year in collaboration. We have learned a lot about the NSF250RW over the last two years, so for sure we will be even stronger with the technical side of things next year.
“Going back to Moto2 will be great and we are very excited to have been given the opportunity to expand the team. Last time we were in the intermediate class was in 2014 with Johann Zarco and Josh Herrin, so we are not green to the category and I know we can make a good job there with Hafizh. We have put together a very good crew for him next year; they come with experience, knowledge and a solid CV of impressive results with previous riders; I know they will work very well together to get him where he needs to be. I’m confident this team will allow Hafizh to take the next step in his career and achieve the results we all know he is capable of.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Sepang International Circuit for their continued support and for taking this step up into the Moto2 class. It’s a privilege to be working with them and continuing the young rider’s development project together. As well I would like to thank Petronas who are coming in as our Title sponsor and will work with us for the next few years. It’s an honour to have them on board. We are really looking forward to next year.”
Hafizh Syahrin: “First I would like to say thank you very much to the SIC Racing Team for giving me this opportunity and believing in me. I will try my best for them in 2018. I’m so happy that I will continue in Moto2 next year and with my new team I’m really hopeful that I can do better. I have struggled a little during 2017 and only achieved two podiums; although I have accomplished my target for the year, I want more in 2018. The podium will always be my goal; to fight at the front and compete for the Championship title. Now I will stay focused and keep working for next year. I’m very happy and excited for this new collaboration. I believe we can do a very good job together in 2018. Thanks also to Razlan Razali and Petronas for their continued support and belief in me. I hope to repay them with good results.”
Adam Norrodin: “It’s fantastic to be staying with my crew again in 2018. This will be our third year together. We have worked hard since the start and have made good progress over the last two years, so I’m very excited to continue; I believe next year I can take an even bigger step and really be a contender in the Moto3 Championship.
“I’m very happy about the expansion of the team into Moto2 and our new partnership with Petronas. It will be so great to have Hafizh Syahrin with us, not only because we are good friends but also because of the experience he brings with him. He always helps me to stay calm and focussed and I have learned a lot from him. Having Petronas too, I feel like it is one big family.
“I want to say a special thanks to Razlan Razali for giving me this opportunity and continuing to believe in me; to all the team who have put their trust in me and have supported me from the start and my family who are always by my side. Thanks to all them that I am here.”
Ayumu Sasaki: “This year has been a steep learning curve for me. Some tracks were completely new to me, my crew were new, the bike; everything was fresh. I’ve had to adapt too many different things. It’s been a tough year for me because I came into the Championship expecting to do better but the level in Moto3 is much higher and harder to fight at the front in.
“Race by race we have come stronger; we have learned many things this season and grown as a team, so I’m very happy to be continuing with the same team and same crew again next year. I’m really looking forward to the 2018 season because I have so much more confidence now; I know what to expect and I feel like I have progressed a lot in the Championship since the beginning of my rookie year.
“It’s very exciting to have Petronas coming on board too! I hope to do them proud and also repay the team and SIC [Sepang International Circuit] for all their support, with good results next year. I am focused and ready to work harder than before; I will do better in 2018.”