KUALA TERENGGANU: Despite making his debut at an Asian meet, Terengganu rider Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli said he is not intimidated and is targeting a top-five finish at the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup 2021 championship.

The 14-year-old said he is determined to give his best to achieve this target at the championship, which runs from mid-March to November.

"Although I will be up against racers from other countries who should be faster, I will give them a run for their money," he told reporters after a meeting with state Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisation Development Committee chairman Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah here today.

Muhammad Hakim Danish is among the youngest riders in the 22-member field for the 12-leg championship, which has attracted racers from eight Asia-Pacific countries.

The student of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Mansor here said he was introduced to the mini-bike motoring sport by his father Ramli Ibrahim at the age of eight.

"My father used to take me to practise at race circuits and compete in various states, before I won the SIC MiniGP motoring championship at the Sepang International Kart Circuit last year, which gave me the ticket to compete in the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup 2021," said Muhammad Hakim Danish, who leaves for Qatar next week to participate in the championship.

Earlier, Wan Sukairi urged other youngsters keen on motor racing to follow in the footsteps of Muhammad Hakim Danish.

"The state government is proud of the achievements of the Terengganu-born Muhammad Hakim Danish. We have been following his progress; we will always give our support to young riders from the state, in the hope that one day they will excel on the world stage," he added.

At the meeting, Wan Sukairi handed over a RM10,000 contribution from the state government to Muhammad Hakim Danish.

-- BERNAMA