Khairul Idham Pawi | Photo credits: Otorace
Earlier in October, PETRONAS SRT announced that Khairul Idham Pawi would be leaving the team at the end of the 2020 season and the South African rider, Darryn Binder will be taking KIP’s place in 2021.
With the 2020 season already over, Khairul Idham Pawi announces his retirement from motorsports. KIP says from now on he will be focusing on helping his family and he has thought long and hard before coming to this decision.
“After considering a few things which I felt could not be improved on, I have decided to retire.”
“There is some disappointment but that is in the past now. I am proud to have become the first Malaysian to have won two races in the world championships.”
“For now I want to forget about racing and do things which will make me happy. I want to help my family.”
“At the same time, I also play e-sports and now in an effort to set up my own team with other friends.”
” Even if I’m going to cut grass after this, I would still be happy because I achieved what I wanted.”
“I do not want to retire just to rest for a certain period, maybe will return to race later,” said the former Petronas Yamaha SRT rider.
According to sources, the Motorsports Association of Malaysia will be meeting Khairul to discuss his future, so we shall see how things turn out for KIP.
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.
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 2020 however, he wasn’t able to achieve the team’s shared goals mainly because of the hand injury.
Read more about KIP’s racing journey here:
iMotorbike Meets Malaysian Motorcycle Racer Khairul Idham Pawi!
Source: Astro Arena, NST, Harian Metro