19-year-old Mohd Helmi Azman is heading for the biggest race of his career. Six years after his racing debut in the mono-brand races of the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship, Helmi is on course for the first major title of his career to date.
Racing with the SCK Rapido Hi Rev Honda Racing Team this season, Helmi has amassed a 42-point advantage at the top of the Underbone 150cc standings. With six podiums in the bag, two of which are race wins, Helmi has raked in 164 points up to Round 5 in Indonesia. His closest rival, Mohd Izzat Zaidi, stands at second overall with 122 points.
In order to stand even a ghost of a chance to turn the tables around at this late stage, Izzat must win both final races in Buriram this coming December 1 and 2. Should that happen, Helmi will need just eight more points to be equal on points. To be safe, Helmi will need one more point to secure the title.
At the worst case scenario, even if both riders end up equal on points, Helmi’s higher number of podiums will effectively break the tie.
For the 19-year-old Malaysian rider, this will be the biggest title of his career to date. Helmi made a name for himself in the PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship in 2013. He subsequently spent two seasons in the Asia Talent Cup. Helmi subsequently returned to Asia and found a home with the SCK Rapido Hi Rev Honda Racing Team where he ended the 2017 Underbone 150 season in fourth overall.
