Malaysian Cub Prix 2025 Round 8 - Jempol
Arriving at Bandar Seri Jempol in Negeri Sembilan, I was struck by how quickly the laid‑back small‑town vibe gives way to full‑throttle adrenaline. The asphalt of the Pedestrian Circuit might not be international grand prix grade, but it’s razor‑sharp in its demands: tight turns, limited run‑offs, and a crowd that senses every mistake. Round 8 of the PETRONAS MAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship didn’t disappoint.
The humidity hung heavy all weekend, the kind of still air that makes every rev count and every corner exit risk a spin. In the CP150 class, it was clear that the title battle was wrapping itself into focus. Ahmad Afif Amran, riding for the PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha‐CKJ Racing team, clinched the championship despite finishing fourth in the race.
That’s the sort of milestone that feels both inevitable and impressive. Afif’s fourth place in Jempol was enough to secure his fourth Malaysian Cub Prix title with two rounds remaining. The result isn’t just about that one week of racing—it speaks to consistency, pace, and avoiding the kind of chaos that small‑circuit racing inevitably brings.
On race day, Afif got through the field and kept his machine in one piece while others were sliding wide or hunting for grip. On a track like Jempol, where mistakes are amplified and recovery is hard, that kind of composure stands out.
In the CP125 and Wira KBS classes, the action was every bit as fierce. Young riders made bold moves, machines ran hot, and the communities around the track were buzzing. One highlight was a podium finish by Md Harith Rosmaza from BRTFR Racing Team in the Pro‑Am (non‑CP150) category, riding a VOGE FR150 to third place in 8 minutes 04.974 seconds, averaging 82.949 km/h, best lap 47.914 s. voge.my
That story matters because it shows depth—not just the headline stars, but the emerging teams and riders fighting their own battles. For CheekyMoto, the heart of the Cub Prix is exactly that.
Watching the paddock, I noticed setups tweaked mid‑weekend for the heat, riders experimenting with cushioning, tyres and throttle map. The Jempol circuit served up little margin for error: a deep exit at Turn 6 meant you lost speed through Turn 7, and suddenly the pack swallowed you. The tactic changed from “go fast” to “stay clean but keep pressure.”
The crowd outside the barriers added to the atmosphere—families, street‑vendors, young fans with flags and cameras. The smell of grilled satay wafted across from a food stall just metres from bikes smashing through the final chicane. That juxtaposition of grassroots charm and serious racing is what makes this championship unique.
As the weekend wrapped up, the title picture sharpened. With Afif taking the crown early, his rivals know they’ll need to hit everything perfect in the final rounds to catch him. For the younger guys in CP125 and Wira, Jempol proved that opportunity and challenge go hand‑in‑hand.
If you ever get the chance to attend a Cub Prix round, especially at a place like Jempol, do it. Stand by the fence, feel the vibration of the engines, hear the cheers as riders cross the line and smell the fuel mixed with the town’s evening breeze. Because here, the stakes might not be world championship level yet, but to the riders—and to the crowd—it’s everything.
For CheekyMoto, this is another chapter in our story: Malaysian two‑wheel racing at its rawest, most passionate and most compelling. We were there, sun‑burnt, camera in hand, and grinning despite the heat.
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Richard is a motorcycle photographer based in Malaysia and he is the founder of cheekymoto.com