Malaysian Cub Prix
The Malaysian Cub Prix Championship is a national-level underbone racing series for motorcycles with displacements from 115cc to 130cc. The tournament is a grassroots developer with the main objective of discovering and developing Malaysian motorcycle racing talents.
The title sponsor of the championship is Petronas and it is supported by motorcycle manufacturers Yamaha, Honda, and Suzuki.
History
The name Cub Prix itself is derived from the moniker Cub 仔. Pronounced ‘cub chai’ or ‘kapcai’, the phrase literally means Little Cub in Cantonese and refers to the original Honda Cub (Honda 50 that was introduced by Soichiro Honda in 1958). Today, the name has become synonymous with underbone motorcycles in Malaysia.
Begun in 1994, the concept was to create a motorsports championship that was accessible to people from all walks of life. That is why, to this day, Cub Prix races predominantly on the streets with a maximum of two rounds per year held at permanent circuits. To date, Cub Prix is still the only mobile motorsports event that brings the excitement of motorcycle racing to its fans throughout the country. Through Cub Prix’s mobility, the championship has visited every major town and city in Malaysia. A typical season for Cub Prix consists of 10 rounds beginning in late March and ending in December with a two-month break in between for the Ramadan and Shawwal celebrations.
Underbone
The underbone motorcycle was born in Asia in 1958 when Soichiro Honda rolled out the first Honda 50.
An underbone motorcycle is a small motorcycle built around a single tube frame called the underbone. This ‘underbone’ supports the whole vehicle and runs low all across the length of the motorcycle. There is a similarity in appearance to the scooter, largely due to the fuel tank position, the open-frame design which the fuel tank position allows and the splash guards. However, the entire power train, namely the engine position, power transmission and wheels are based on the design of conventional motorcycles.
The position of the fuel tank, in fact, located below the seat, is the main aspect that truly differentiates the underbone with other conventional motorcycles. This allows for a design that improves ease of mounting and dismounting, making the underbone popular with consumers of both genders.
The engine size of a typical underbone motorcycle can range between 80cc to 150cc. In the early years, two-stroke engines were the norm, but come the turn of the millennium, the four-stroke evolution picked up speed.
The technical sophistication of larger motorcycles such as fuel injection systems, capacitor discharge ignition and electric starters, were gradually fused into the underbone. With each addition, the underbone became zippier, sportier and trendier.
Objectives
Since its inception, Cub Prix’s main objective is, and always has been, to build a strong base of grassroots talents from which promising and talented Malaysian riders can be filtered through to the higher levels of racing. Grassroots development forms a very important part in the growth of any sport. Without a strong foundation, even the most glittering pinnacle at the top of the pyramid would crumble and fall
Race Categories
The actual format of the race classes and their technical regulations differ from season to season, evolving either in response to, or to trigger changes in the industries.
In 2012, the race categories are as follows:
Open-Make Categories
- CP130 – Formerly known as the Expert class, this is the premiere class of the Malaysian Cub Prix.
- CP115 – Formerly known as the Novice class, this class has evolved into more of an intermediary category for riders who have had some racing experience but are not yet ready to race in the hyper-competitive CP130 class.
- Wira – This is an age-restricted class only for riders aged between 13 years to 17 years old.
- Privateer – This is strictly for privateer riders who race without corporate sponsors.
One-Make Categories
The one-make categories of the Malaysian Cub Prix play a vital role in the effort to bring in more fresh talent every season. Fully supported by motorcycle manufacturers Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha, the manufacturers prepare the bikes for the riders who are also supplied with the proper racing gear and safety attire. The one-make races, therefore, become ideal platforms for first-time newbies to break into the sport. To qualify for the one-make races, the riders must range from ages 13 to 20 and must be first-time riders in Cub Prix. In 2012, the one-make categories are:
- Yamaha 135 Super Series
- Honda Wave Junior Challenge
- Suzuki Belang-R
The Malaysian Cub Prix is only open to Malaysian riders only and all entries must hold the appropriate racing license issued by the Automobile Association of Malaysia.
Key Milestones
- 1994: First Cub Prix race on May 8, 1994, in Melaka.
- 2002: Introduction of the age-restricted Wira class specifically for riders below-21 years of age. This is Cub Prix’s first 4-stroke class. Since then, the age ceiling has been progressively dropped as part of the Championship’s drive to attract more younger riders who will be able to enjoy a longer international career.
- 2003: Petronas signed on as title sponsor of the Malaysian Cub Prix.
- 2005: The introduction of the Team Award in the Expert class, aimed at creating recognition for the teams’ efforts to develop new talents, added heat to the competition.
- 2006: The Novice class was transformed from 2-stroke 110cc to 4-stroke 115cc. The age-ceiling in the Wira class was lowered to under-19. The landmark year also saw the old making way for the new. Veteran names like M. Meganathan, Wazi Abdul Hamid, Shahrun Nizam Tamin, Chia Tuck Cheong and Soong Chee Kieong announced their retirements. A new batch of riders quickly came in to fill the void.
- 2007: The Malaysian Cub Prix went from a one-day event to a two-day event, giving more track time to the riders.
- 2008: The migration from 2-stroke to 4-stroke was finally complete when the 4-stroke 125cc class was introduced for the Expert category.
- 2009: Race classes were rebranded. The Expert category was renamed the CP130 class and the Novice category was renamed as the CP115 class.
Creating Malaysian Champions
In 2009, the key teams and sponsors of the Malaysian Cub Prix came together as an industry to launch its first mega-project. A wildcard development programme aimed at training Malaysian riders to race in the World Motorcycle Grand Prix. After an exhaustive training and selection process, Elly Idzlianizar Ilias and Zulfahmi Khairuddin made their GP125 debut. From there, Zulfahmi was given the opportunity to race full-season in the GP125 class of the MotoGP and became the 2nd Malaysian to do so after Shahrol Yuzy Ahmad Zaini.
In 2010, the wildcard project moved from the GP125 class to the newly introduced Moto2 class. Only one rider was selected – Md Zamri Baba.
In 2011, the wildcard project was expanded to two riders – Md Zamri Baba and Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah.
Participating motorcycle manufacturers
- Hong Leong Yamaha Sdn Bhd
- Suzuki Assemblers Sdn Bhd
- Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd
Trivia
- The very first Cub Prix race was held in Melaka on May 8, 1994.