Khairuddin claims first pole at home

Zulfahmi Khairuddin claimed his maiden Moto3 pole position with a superb performance in qualifying for his home race in Malaysia.

The Ajo rider spent the session battling for the top spot with Aspar’s Jonas Folger, but when it counted at the end, Khairuddin was untouchable.

A string of rapid laps took him to a 2m13.885s, nearly 0.3 seconds clear of his opposition as he wrapped up pole on his 21st birthday. The result was the first pole for a Malaysian at grand prix level.

Folger retained second place.

With Maverick Vinales’ dramatic departure from the Avintia team effectively ending the championship fight, points leader Sandro Cortese could be very relaxed about qualifying third ahead of the race that will mark his coronation.

Behind fourth-placed Louis Rossi, Luis Salom was fifth quickest. But he will be demoted to 10th on the grid as a penalty for crashing into Folger during the Motegi lead battle last weekend.

That will elevate Miguel Oliveira, Efren Vazquez. Brad Binder, Alex Rins and Adrian Martin.

Motegi winner Danny Kent was only 11th quickest on the third Ajo bike.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/khairuddin-claims-first-pole-at-home

Robert Allen Labonte Terrence Lee Labonte Randy Joseph Lajoie Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr