Nadi Weekend (23/11/24)
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SportsTranscript
00:00Still with Kak Pris, just mention the name Bulldog Kwan,
00:03surely it will excite all the riders of the 60s to the 80s era.
00:08With a stature and skill like a god, Uncle Bulldog is considered a king and conqueror
00:13in the world of national motorcycle racing.
00:15His departure in 2020 was indeed felt and had a deep impact on the national motorcycle arena.
00:21However, he passed away due to the legacy of his son, Kwan Meng Heng,
00:26who now holds a portfolio as the director of Petronas MEM Legend Cupry
00:31and follows this exclusive interview by Faizal Bazzari.
00:44Meng Heng, first we want to know, you are the son of the legend, Bulldog Kwan.
00:51So, how did you manage to have interest also in motorsport?
00:58Okay, because as I started as a rider and then one of the top riders
01:05and of course I'm the first MotoGP wildcard rider in Malaysia.
01:12That was in 1992 when I started my wildcard and I made history.
01:18I was the first Malaysian to race in MotoGP.
01:21And from there onwards, slowly I got into racing and slowly I could see
01:27a lot of high-performing riders who could go far.
01:33So, I think my job as an official here is to educate all the riders.
01:41And of course, I have trained many riders.
01:43I have trained Azlan Shah, Shahrul Uzi, Zamri Baba.
01:48When I run the Petronas Yamaha team, I can see development in the riders.
01:56And that's why even now, as an official, I want to educate all the young riders.
02:11Why did you choose to be a rider?
02:13Because I'm a rider myself last time.
02:15Then I'm a team manager, then I'm a team owner also.
02:18So, I have been in everybody's shoes before.
02:22So, like sometimes riders, when they are called,
02:27we call them in and ask them, why are you doing this?
02:30So, they give a lot of different excuses.
02:33So, I'm a rider also, so I know.
02:36So, I told them, hey, I've done that before.
02:39And of course, I learned from, I'm a flag marshal also last time.
02:44Flag marshal, then I become rider, then become team manager,
02:48become, I'm a valid instructor for Yamaha Japan last time.
03:02We know you have a legacy from your father.
03:06So, now, what is your hope?
03:08What do you want to see after maybe, when you end your career after this?
03:14I think for motorsport, it depends on whether your interest.
03:19If you are not interested in the motorsport,
03:21maybe you can do by today, tomorrow you will leave.
03:24But for me, I think I will still continue because I can see a bright future in Capri.
03:29But new riders, especially the young ones,
03:32they are very fast.
03:34Whatever you tell them, they will try, they will do.
03:38Then, I think for Capri, it's the best way to come in and race.
03:44Not only because you get to know a lot of people,
03:47then you got to know the regulations.
03:50And of course, the most important thing in motor racing is discipline.
03:55Okay, so thank you very much, Mr. Guan Meng Heng, for this interview.
03:59So, that's all from me, Faizal Bazari, for Nadi Weekend.