Story and Pictures by Wahid Ooi Abdullah
You’ve probably been following our teasers leading up to KTM Malaysia’s Fun Enduro event on 14th May 2017. KTM Malaysia had wanted share the fun and joy of offroad riding and what they got was an overwhelming response that even surprised them.
KTM Malaysia’s factory rider and 2016 FIM Asia Supermoto Champion, Gabit Saleh, in addition to Malaysia’s international trials rider, Acoi Pangkolo, set up a challenging course at KTM Malaysia’s MX track at Sungai Buaya, near Rawang.
We had ridden on the track during KTM Malaysia’s Offroad Range Launch last year and it was relatively easy. Both men have since laid out the course to cover the adjacent hills, besides adding a huge jump just after the finish line leading to large boulders, followed by logs traversing the track. Heavy overnight rains had turned the spaces between the logs to deep mud pools. The expanded track also included a long, steep uphill climb.
Gabit and Acoi both held a briefing session before proceedings got underway, to lay down the rules and regulations, that included the traditional endurance racing start. Also known as the Le Mans start, the competitors had to dash to their machines parked at the start line.
It was obvious that there’s a high-level of skill and competitiveness involved from the get-go as they battled it out despite being a “fun” race. Guess there’s pride in proving to others and oneself.
The event attracted a whopping 170 entries, split into 5 different categories. Participants also included well-known motorcycle luminaries such as “Foreman” Oh Kah Beng and foreigners.
Prizes were awarded to Top Five participants who recorded the most laps.
More importantly, KTM Malaysia’s Fun Enduro event proved that the offroad segment is alive and kicking. Please follow KTM Malaysia’s official Facebook page here and webpage here.
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