Johor Lass Among 20 In SIC Inaugural Ninja 250CC Championship

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- Secondary school student Siti Norafizah Muhamad has carved out a name for herself in the motorsport arena by being the only female competitor in the inaugural Sepang International Circuit (SIC) 250cc Ninja championship to be held next month. The 17-year-old student of SMK Kelapa Sawit, Kulai Jaya, in Peninsular Malaysia's southern state of Johor who has been involved in the activity since aged nine and participated in the Cub Prix at 16 last year, said her selection proved women could be as competent in the event commonly regarded as a man's sport. "My target is to be at least one of the five best riders," she told Bernama when met after a media briefing on the championship, here, on Sunday. Siti Norafizah, who will be sitting for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination this year, said her best achievement so far was winning second place in the Minibike championship at the Pasir Gudang Circuit last year. Her mother Norwani Zugini, 45, does not stop her from participating in the sport and even accompanies her to training sessions at the Pasir Gudang Circuit or Inderapura Motorsports Circuit in Kulai. "But her studies must remain a priority. I allow her to go during weekends but from Monday to Friday she must concentrate on her studies," Norwani insisted. Meanwhile, motorsports promoter SIC chief executive officer, Razlan Razali said during the media briefing on the championship that Siti Norafizah would be competing with 19 male riders in a long-term strategy to scout for Moto GP3 racing talents. "It's a new programme towards world-class championship and we dub it the 'Fahmi's Way'," he said. Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin who is representing AirAsia-SIC-Ajo Racing started competing in the MotoGP3 since early this year after shifting up from the 125cc category which he participated from 2009 until 2011. -- BERNAMA