Khairul Idham Pawi
Khairul Idham Pawi’s love for motorcycles and racing started when he was just thirteen. He started his racing journey in 2014 with Honda Wave Junior Challenge Cup Champion. Two years later he progressed to PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship and Asia Dream Cup, where he took the title in both the championships in 2014.
A year later, in 2015 Super KIP made his move into FIM CEV Junior World Championship in Spain. During the same season, KIP also made his Grand Prix debut at the Argon GP. After finishing sixth with three podiums in the Junior World Championship, KIP made his full entrance to the Moto3 World Championship in 2016. During that season, KIP shocked everyone with his blazing wet-weather riding skills and the victories in both Germany and Argentina.
Khairul Idham Pawi’s first Moto3 win
Just a year later in 2017, KIP jumped a class up to Moto2 World Championship. However, during the fourth race of 2019 season (KIP’s first year with PETRONAS Sprinta Racing), KIP suffered a severe hand injury. Following this, KIP decided to make a return to Moto3 for this year, 2020 where he is on his way up.
Khairul Idham Pawi’s racing journey truly inspired us and thanks to PETRONAS SRT we got the opportunity to interview one of the growing local racing heroes of Malaysia. We asked him a few questions about his career and personal life that we thought our readers would love to hear and this is what KIP told us.
iM: When did you start riding?
KIP: I started riding motorcycle when I was in standard 4 around my Village. As for track racing, my journey began when I was in form 1.
iM: What was your first motorcycle?
KIP: For track racing, I started with a Honda Wave 110.
iM: What was your childhood dream?
KIP: When I was young, I wanted to become a racer. Besides my own interest in racing, I got the idea of being a racer from watching TV and also partly because of my father’s and siblings’ interest.
iM: How did you get into racing?
KIP: One day I told my father I wanted to get into racing way before I was in standard 4, however, because of my family’s financial situation back then, I could only get into racing later along the line, here is the story.
My first time riding on the track was actually at Dato’ Sagor race track in Perak. That time I was in standard 6 and the track was just near my house. Given the financial situation, I could only sneak out of home to find a motorcycle and ride it on the track with my friends. However, one day, my father found out I was sneaking out, so he called me and told me to get back home. I was scared to go back home as I was worried about my father being angry.
Lucky for me, things turned out different that day when my father started advising me and asking me whether I really want to get into racing. A few days later, my father brought me to a workshop, where he was in the process of building a motorcycle for me. Seeing that bike made me really happy and the rest is just history. I would say my father was the one who helped me get into racing and also the person who supported me with my racing journey from the very start.
iM: When and how did you start your journey with PETRONAS Sprinta Racing?
KIP: I met PETRONAS Sprinta Racing back when I was with Honda Team Asia. I came across Dato’ Razlan Razali and the discussion to join PETRONAS Sprinta Racing began. I was really interested to join PETRONAS SRT as it is from Malaysia.
iM: People call you the ” King of wet tracks”, how are you good on wet tracks?
KIP: Generally, I feel confident on wet tracks. Back when I was in Argentina, the place where I got the name, I kept practising around the track for a few laps. That time I told myself I either win the race or fall mid-way however, in the end, I did pretty well.
iM: Aside from confidence, do you use any tricks?
KIP: I don’t use any tricks. Back when I was practising in Argentina, I didn’t actually use wet tires, I used normal tires to gain confidence and went with the same flow for the race.
iM: How is your and PETRONAS Sprinta Racing team’s preparation for the upcoming races?
KIP: During MCO time I practised indoors at home and later after MCO was lifted I went to Sepang and practised with Zulfahmi Khairuddin. I have already made a lot of preparation for the upcoming races and I’m ready.
iM: How do you feel about getting back on track?
KIP: I feel happy going back to the track. After the crash last year, I was struggling with a hand injury which made it hard to ride bikes as I couldn’t move my pinky finger. The recovery took time but I’m feeling great and I’m looking forward to being back on track.
iM: How do you feel about where you are right now?
KIP: I can’t believe I made it this far so fast. Where I am right now is what I wanted ever since I was young so I’m doing this with passion.
iM: What would you like to tell your fans?
KIP: I would like to thank my fans for supporting me during races. I would also like to thank my friends and family for their constant support and also PETRONAS Sprinta Racing for supporting me at the track with team communication and also the setup of my bike.
Khairul Idham Pawi at Jerez