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What is the PETRONAS Malaysian Cub Prix championship all about?
Our History in Cub Prix
Established in 1994, the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship is the country’s premier national motorsports event that aims to develop local talent and contribute to the nation’s socioeconomic development.
Organised by Safe Aim Mutual Sdn Bhd (SAM), the championship began rising in popularity due to its accessibility at the grassroots level, as well as its exciting atmosphere. Recognising this, PETRONAS got in on the action in 2003 as the title sponsor, a role we have remain proudly committed to. This makes our partnership one of the longest-running in all of Malaysian sport.
Our involvement with the sport for more than two decades has contributed to its substantial growth, with an estimated 4,000 riders developed through the partnership. Several of these riders also progressed to the international arena, competing in championships such as the MotoGP, World Superbike and Asia Road Racing, bringing pride and recognition to Malaysia.Another key factor behind the growth of the Malaysian Cub Prix is the support of the Malaysian government. Recognising the importance of motorsports as a tool for economic development and tourism, the government provided funding for the championship and invested in the construction and upgrading of racing circuits throughout the country.
The Malaysian Cub Prix has also garnered international fans from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, who follow the event online.
The Cub Prix also serves as a testbed for PETRONAS’ Sprinta motorcycle engine oil, formulated to enhance performance while protecting critical motorcycle components. The success of PETRONAS-sponsored teams such as PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha-CKJ Racing and PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor is a testament to the performance and reliability of the machines that used Sprinta for the race.
Catch all the Malaysian Cub Prix action on its official YouTube channel.
- Cub Prix’s Origins
- The Rise of Malaysian Champions
- Looking Ahead
- Milestones
Cub Prix’s Origins
“Cub Prix” comes from the Cantonese nickname “Cub 仔”, or “Little Cub”. Pronounced cub chai or kapcai, the name originally referred to the Honda Cub motorcycles, introduced in 1958.
Today, “Cub Prix” refers to underbone motorcycles (moto kapcai) in Malaysia and were typically associated with “Mat Rempits”, a Malaysian term for individuals involved in illegal street racing and reckless motorcycle riding.
However, the establishment of the Cub Prix Championship has elevated underbone motorcycle racing into a professional, safe and legitimate sport at the national level. It serves as a platform for these adrenaline-seeking riders to showcase their skills and compete on a larger stage.
The Malaysian Cub Prix has produced a generation of talented riders who went on to achieve success on the world stage. Here are some of the Championship’s top names along with their career highlights:
Shahrol Yuzy
A pioneer of Malaysian motorcycle racing who participated in the Cub Prix championship and went on to finish third overall in the 1998 Spanish 250cc Championship. He was the first Malaysian rider to compete in the 250cc World Championship and finished 10th in the 250cc World Championship in 2001. He was also champion of the SP250 (Series Production, ARRC) in 1996. He retired in 2002 and is currently the team principal of the Honda Yuzy Estremo Team.
K. Sivanesan
Overall champion for the Expert Class in the 2004 season. He currently is a Team Manager for PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha 31 Racing in the current Cub Prix season.
Hafizh Syahrin
The first Malaysian rider to compete in the MotoGP World Championship. He competed in Moto2 World Championships, MotoGP World Championships, FIM CEV Repsol European Moto2 and Suzuka 8-hour endurance race. He also competed in the 2023 World Superbike Championship (WSBK) season under the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team.
Khairul Idham Pawi
Champion in the 2014 Wira KBC race category and 2014 Asian Dream Cup. Then went on to achieve international success in the Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships from 2016-2020. He was a two-time race winner in Moto3 in 2016 – becoming the first Malaysian to ever win a GP race.
Zulfahmi Khairuddin
He started racing with Cub Prix in 2007 and went on to race internationally from 2012 to 2018, such as the Moto3 World Championship, Moto2 World Championship, and the Supersport World Championship.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, our aim is to continue promoting the Cub Prix Championship’s profile and developing Malaysian motorsports talent.
Our efforts will focus on strengthening partnerships with international racing organisations, improving infrastructure and expanding the fan base through marketing and promotional programmes.
We also plan on supporting Cub Prix’s efforts in embracing technological advancements such as incorporating electric motorcycles to align with the global shift towards sustainable racing.
Other plans in the pipeline include the re-introduction and expansion of Cub Prix in Sabah and Sarawak as well as uncovering new talents within the localities.
To inject diversity and inclusivity, Cub Prix is also looking into starting an a women’s race class to provide more opportunities for women to ride competitively which would provide better opportunities for females to ride competitively.
Here’s a look at how PETRONAS and Cub Prix
have grown together across the years
2000 - 2009 (Development)
Cub Prix begins
Cub Prix begins
Our involvement as the title sponsor of the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship began in 2003. Since then, more than 4,000 riders and 397 teams have participated in the event.
Cub Prix has also generated approximately 2,000 job opportunities including race engineers, team coordinators, freelance photographers, race officials, and many more.
Cub Prix Expands
We support the national development agenda through our continuous sponsorship of the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship, which is seen as complementing the nation’s development ecosystem via the growth of racing talent at the grassroots level.
Younger “Wiras” hit the circuit
The age limit for the Wira category was lowered to below 19 in 2006, allowing younger racers to showcase their skills and abilities. The year also marked the departure of veteran racers such as M. Meganathan, Wazi Abdul Hamid, Shahrun Nizam Tamin, Chia Tuck Cheong, and Soong Chee Kieong, who announced their retirement.
First female triumph at the podium
In 2009, Mazera Izaty Mohammad became the first female racer to achieve a podium finish. Her success encouraged the participation of more female racers, including Siti Norfaizah Mohamad, Siti Fatimah Husna Muslim, Nuraina Halisya Hamirudin, and Nasha Edzeira.
2010 - Present
Continuing to Drive Progress
The PETRONAS Malaysian Cub Prix is a starting platform for Malaysians to hone their talents in the two-wheel motorsport from as early as 12 years old. Our sponsorship has raised the profile of Cub Prix from a mere underbone race to one that’s known for its highly skilled and competitive riders who also emphasise safety.
The PETRONAS Malaysian Cub Prix has produced leading riders such as Shahrol Yuzy, Hafizh Syahrin, Khairul Idham Pawi, Kasma Daniel, and Zulfahmi Khairuddin, who have brought their talents to the international arena via events such as the MotoGP Championship, World Superbike and Asia Road Racing.
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