Latest news with #RookiesCup
Malay Mail
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Who is Hakim Danish, the 17-year-old Terengganu boy making waves in MotoGP racing?
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — Malaysia's motorcycle racing scene has a new star: 17-year-old Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli. Early Sunday morning in Aragon, Spain, the young rider delivered a nail-biting performance in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, clinching first place and etching his name in motorcycle racing history as the first Malaysian to do so in a race within the prestigious tournament. Since then, both local and international media have raved about his performance, with many now tipping Hakim to become the first Malaysian ever to win the Rookies Cup. What is the Red Bull Rookies Cup and why it matters The Red Bull Rookies Cup acts as a key feeder series for the Moto3 world championship, the third tier of the Moto Grand Prix. The class was founded in 2007 and since then, has produced world champions in all three categories: 2024 MotoGP champion, Jorge Martín, was from the class of 2014; Moto2 world champion, Ai Ogura, was from the class of 2017; and Moto3 world champion, David Alonso, was from the class of 2021. For eight of the last 10 seasons, the Moto3 World Champion has been an ex-Rookie, a testament to the European-based tournament's effectiveness in nurturing talent. Who is Hakim Danish? Seventeen-year-old Hakim comes from a humble background. Born in Kuala Surau Panjang, Terengganu, in July 2007, Hakim is the second of three siblings. His father, the sole breadwinner, is a mechanic. In an interview with Red Bull's media team, Hakim said his interest in motor racing started as early as eight years old, sparked by riding his father's minibike, which eventually became the starting point of a life as a motorcycle racer. Beginning with minibike racing, Hakim was scouted and picked to join ZK Racing, which oversees Sepang International Circuit's two-wheel talent development programme, New Straits Times reported. He gained a reputation in the 2022 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, where the championship was decided in a final race showdown between Hakim and Shinya Ezawa in Race 2 at the Mandalika circuit. Hakim claimed a second-place finish and made history as the first Malaysian to secure the Asia Talent Cup championship. Why was Hakim's Aragon triumph important? Malaysia has produced some talented two-wheel racers in the last three decades, but none have been as promising as Hakim, who finished second in all his first five races of the cup's season before clinching Sunday's win with style. Hakim made a daring attack on the final lap to overtake series favourite, 16-year-old Spaniard Brian Uriarte, securing Malaysia's first ever first-place finish in what commentators described as a tantalising race. While there are still eight races to go, Hakim now tops the tournament with 125 points total, ahead of second-placed Uriarte's 95 points. Given he has secured six podium finishes halfway into the season, pundits believe the Terengganu boy has a solid chance to win this year's Rookie Cup. Winning the cup could open up far greater opportunities beyond a spot in the Moto3 championship — interest from top competing teams with the financial resources to hone and elevate Hakim's skills. And after years of frustration for Malaysian motorcycle racing fans, there is genuine optimism that this 17-year-old boy from Terengganu could finally be the country's first ever podium-class rider.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
MotoGP Rookies Cup RD3: Hakim Danish bent on repeating 2024 success
YOUNG national rider Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli is determined to show his mettle when he takes part in the third round of the MotoGP Rookies Cup competition at MotorLand Aragon in Spain this weekend. According to Muhammad Hakim Danish, he regards the circuit as iconic since he won the second race of the same race last season. In fact, he said, he also wants to make up for his disappointment after failing to get a podium finish in both races of the second round of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship at the Jerez Circuit ast week. 'After finishing the second round of the FIM JuniorGP race in Jerez, I went straight to Barcelona to undergo training and prepare for the MotoGP race of the Rookies Cup this week. 'There are many facets I need to improve on from last week's race, especially in the qualifying session. However, I feel confident to race at the Aragon circuit and hope that all fans and family can pray for my success,' he said in a statement today. For the record, Muhammad Hakim Danish is currently leading the overall MotoGP Rookies Cup standings with 80 points, ahead of Spanish rider Benat Fernandez in second place with a difference of 23 points. Another main contender, Brian Uriarte who is also from Spain, is in third place 30 points behind.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
MotoGP Rookies Cup RD3: Hakim Danish bent on repeating 2024 success at MotorLand
YOUNG national rider Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli is determined to show his mettle when he takes part in the third round of the MotoGP Rookies Cup competition at MotorLand Aragon in Spain this weekend. According to Muhammad Hakim Danish, he regards the circuit as iconic since he won the second race of the same race last season. In fact, he said, he also wants to make up for his disappointment after failing to get a podium finish in both races of the second round of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship at the Jerez Circuit ast week. 'After finishing the second round of the FIM JuniorGP race in Jerez, I went straight to Barcelona to undergo training and prepare for the MotoGP race of the Rookies Cup this week. 'There are many facets I need to improve on from last week's race, especially in the qualifying session. However, I feel confident to race at the Aragon circuit and hope that all fans and family can pray for my success,' he said in a statement today. For the record, Muhammad Hakim Danish is currently leading the overall MotoGP Rookies Cup standings with 80 points, ahead of Spanish rider Benat Fernandez in second place with a difference of 23 points. Another main contender, Brian Uriarte who is also from Spain, is in third place 30 points behind.
The Sun
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Hakim Danish targets KWASN grant with strong season start
SEPANG: Young national rider, Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli, needs to take up the challenge of achieving as many positive results as possible this season to unlock the 'key' to the National Sports Trust Fund (KWASN) grant from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS). SIC chief executive officer, Azhan Shafriman Hanif said the Terengganu-born rider's career path certainly requires a lot of funds and his team is also working on this matter, including promoting him to the wild card slot in the MotoGP competition. 'It's still early days for the Rookies Cup race, he's only just finished the first round of the race with a double podium finish, so we hope he can maintain his positive momentum until the end of the year. 'SIC will also try to find funds to enter him in the MotoGP in Sepang as a wild card rider,' he said after being met at the Malaysia Touring Car Championship press conference at SIC here today. Azhan Shafriman revealed that SIC has received approximately RM4 million in funds, but it is still not enough to cover the rider's needs to compete in the championship he is participating in. SIC is also working on funds to cover the needs of another talented rider, Qabil Irfan Azlan. Previously, Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh announced that Danish Hakim will have the opportunity to enjoy the grant facility as support for his career journey if he achieves positive results in the two championships he will be participating this season. The Junior GP World Championship and MotoGP Rookies Cup are the arenas for the 17-year-old rider, who is under the management of SIC.
Barnama
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
Sizzling Hakim Danish Tops Rookies Cup Chart After Podium Finish In Jerez Circuit
KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- The country's young rider, Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli continued to perform brilliantly as he finished the two Spanish Grand Prix (GP) races of the Rookies Cup competition on the podium today. Armed with a podium finish in yesterday's race at the Jerez Circuit, the Terengganu-born rider once again showcased his best ride as he finished in second position, 0.031 second(s) behind Australia's Carter Thompson who clocked a time of 25 minutes 46.043s to take first place. American rider, Kristian Daniel was separated by another 0.294s to take third place.
