It has been 31 years since the Malaysian Cub Prix was first introduced, providing a lifeline to many within the two-wheel racing industry.
From riders to mechanics and spare parts manufacturers, the underbone motorcycle competition has earned its fair share of the limelight whilst nurturing riders who go on to burn rubber on the international stage – the MotoGP.
Cub Prix supremo Ron Hogg highlighted that Cub Prix ensures a sustainable motorsports ecosystem in Malaysia, as the racing event wears many hats, apart from developing riders.
“Cub Prix is actually an industry where we give opportunities to local industry players to push their brands to go international,” said Ron.
“RCB, for example, is now an international company that started in Malaysia some 20 years ago. Today, the company supplies technical equipment at the highest level, the MotoGP. This is one instance of how Cub Prix has provided a sustainable ecosystem.”
“If you look at the riders, Cub Prix is one of the platforms where riders can excel and go further. Till today, every single rider we have in the MotoGP or Superbike World Championship comes from Cub Prix.”
He added that when these riders retire, a majority of them eventually return to the Cub Prix scene – where they become team owners, part of the technical crew, or go on to be coaches.
“The role of Cub Prix is really about developing a sustainable ecosystem.”
Ron’s views were aired on ‘Julang’, a podcast that mainly focuses on sports in Malaysia and beyond, aired on Feb 5.
He also added that much thought must be put into ensuring international motorsports events held in Malaysia achieve certain goals that can help elevate the industry. Malaysia hosted Formula One between 1999 and 2017. The Sepang International Circuit continues to host MotoGP races.
“It’s good to have international events in Malaysia. There’s no doubt about it. It brings in tourism dollars and a lot of value. But if you’re doing it just for the sake of that, then that’s something we need to relook.
“We’ve had F1 for so many years, but unfortunately, we’ve not seen the spin-off of F1 to the sports industry. Anything done (in Malaysia) has to have a short-term, mid-term, and long-term plan.”
He added that it would be fantastic to see that whatever event hosted in Malaysia would be able to meet the set criteria for the different periods in the near future.
Catch Julang on YouTube every Wednesday at 9pm.
