SIC Racing Team has announced their full line-up for 2017, with Malaysian rider Adam Norrodin set to be joined in the squad by 2016 Red Bull Rookies Cup winner Ayumu Sasaki.
As well as the Red Bull Rookies Cup, Sasaki has raced in the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Championship in the last two years, taking podium finishes, and the Japanese rider won the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup in 2015. The 16 year old now feels ready for the next step in his impressive career so far.
Ayumu Sasaki: “I'm very happy to be joining the SIC Racing Team in 2017. It’s a great opportunity for me to take the step up to the Moto3 class and I can’t wait to get to work with my new team. To compete in Moto3 is one of my dreams. This is the highest level 250 class, so I know it will be difficult but I’m really looking forward to giving it my all. 2017 may be my debut year in the Championship but I feel confident and ready to battle within this field. I would like to thank Honda and Sepang International Circuit for their support and I hope to repay them with good results.”
Johan Stigefelt – Team Manager: “I’m really happy and excited that we have reached an agreement with Ayumu for 2017. He’s a very talented young rider. We’ve all seen this year the fantastic results he’s achieved in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and how competitive he is in the Junior World Championship too. Our job now will be to adapt him to the Moto3 championship with our team. We are here to support him through this next step and do our best to make him feel comfortable within the team. The hard work will start already in Valencia where we will test with Ayumu after the final race this year. It’s an exciting time and we are really looking forward to the new season; I’m very pleased to confirm that we have a great and talented rider like Ayumu joining us.”
Dato’ Razlan Razali – CEO of Sepang International Circuit: “I am very excited to welcome Ayumu to SIC Racing Team for 2017. Ayumu is no stranger to us especially with Adam. I am sure Ayumu will motivate Adam to do better next year. Ayumu is an exceptionally talented boy, being Champion in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and competitive in the Junior World Championship this year. We look forward to working with Ayumu and developing him and Adam as potential world champions.”