After contrasting experiences at the previous round of the championship in Imola, where Sofuoglu won the race but Krummenacher was forced out, Kenan now leads the championship with 86 points after five of the scheduled 12 rounds. Randy, the previous leader, is second overall, with 71 points, while the next closest challenger is 13 points behind.
In the manufacturers’ standings Kawasaki is 20 points ahead after five races, with at least one Kawasaki rider scoring a podium at every round so far.
Both Kawasaki Puccetti Racing riders know the Malaysian circuit well but this year they will find a new Sepang surface, which has all-new and smoother asphalt plus changes to the camber in some corners, particularly on the final tight left hander.
Under an initiative brought in for the start of this season, Superpole qualifying - in two parts - will determine the final grid positions in WorldSSP on Saturday, with the race starting at 14.20 local time on Sunday.
Kenan Sofuoglu: “This track in the past presented us with problems because of the bumpy surface but now they have made it flatter. The suspension and set-up we are using this year can work very well on this track but at this moment the weather is not sure. Wet or dry I think we can be strong and the new surface, I think, should be an advantage for us. We are leading the championship now and hopefully we can keep that lead.”
Randy Krummenacher: “I am looking forward to racing at Sepang and in general I am feeling good. I have ridden here in Malaysia many times so I have good experience. This weekend I am trying to catch up some points again, and also enjoy it. There is a new track surface, which we will get to see on Thursday afternoon. I know the layout of the track but the surface and the banking of the corners has changed. It could be quite a different feeling but I think it could be even better like this.”
The Ninja ZX-6R is also the machine of choice of Ondrej Jezek (Team GoEleven Kawasaki) who is now ninth in the championship after his best showing of the year at Imola, in seventh place. Jezek’s team-mate Christian Gamarino is 11th overall and just one place ahead of the highest placed part-time ESS (Europe Supersport Cup) rider Alessandro Zaccone (San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki). ESS rider Axel Bassani (San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki) and series regular Zulfahmi Khairuddin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) sit 13th and 14th respectively. This is the most important race of the year for Zulfahmi, as it is his home round.