Racing Against the Norm: Saidatul Zakirah’s Rise in Malaysia’s Racing Scene

From watching MotoGP at five to racing on the international stage, this 17-year-old is making history in Malaysian motorsports.

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In a world where racetracks are often dominated by men, a young rider named Saidatul Zakirah Zairin, better known as Kirah, is carving her own path with grit, throttle, and a fearless heart. At just 17 years old, she’s blazing her own trail in the competitive world of motorcycle racing. While many her age are just beginning to explore their passions, Zakirah is already out on the track pushing limits, chasing podiums, and making her mark in a traditionally male-dominated sport.

She recalls how her father played a pivotal role in shaping her love for racing. “I’ve been living in Qatar with my parents since I was five, and every year my dad would take me to watch MotoGP, WSBK, and other races at Lusail International Circuit. We never missed a race. That’s where I first fell in love with motorsports,” she told iMotorbike.

Zakirah’s first real break came at age 11. While attending a MotoGP event in Qatar, she came across an academy booth offering selection trials. She signed up and made it through, beginning her training there and learning to ride from scratch on a small 70cc Suzuki. By 12, she was already competing in her first races.

Her early days, however, were far from easy. Training in Qatar came with its own challenges, especially the extreme summer heat, which often soared to 50°C, forcing long breaks that disrupted her progress. Eventually, Zakirah made the decision to return and train in Malaysia.

The catch? She came alone. With her parents still based in Qatar, Zakirah had to manage everything by herself. “I moved here when I was 13. My parents weren’t with me, so I had to handle everything on my own, training, mechanics, everything,” she said. It was tough, but necessary. The racing world in Malaysia is still very much male-dominated, and being a teenage girl brought challenges that extended beyond the racetrack. It was definitely a lot of responsibility for a 13-year-old, but it pushed her to mature quickly.

She recalls how she often faced skepticism from mechanics and team members who doubted her abilities purely because of her age and gender. Some dismissed her feedback on the bike’s performance, assuming she lacked the strength or experience to understand technical issues.

“There were times when I told the mechanics the bike was shaking really badly on the straights, and they’d just say it’s probably because I’m a girl and not strong enough to handle it. But I’ve been riding long enough to know when something isn’t right,” Zakirah said. “Back then, I didn’t argue, I just focused on improving myself and proving them wrong.”

As one of Malaysia’s rising young female racers, Zakirah is not just chasing podiums, she’s redefining what it means to be a woman in motorsports.

Today, Zakirah has her own crew and a stronger voice in her racing journey. She’s built a solid working relationship with her team, where her feedback is respected and valued, even though she’s still considered underage by racing standards.

That persistence paid off on race day. After a string of near-podium finishes, she finally clinched a hard-fought podium. In one particularly memorable race, the Qatar Supersport 300 (QSSP300), she was trailing the front pack by about five seconds but managed to close the gap and overtake two riders at the first corner during the final laps, securing second place.

“I was really frustrated after constantly finishing fourth or fifth. So, in that race, I just went for it, passed them both at the first corner and never looked back. That was my first podium, and it felt amazing,” she said with a grin. The result was especially meaningful as it happened in Qatar, the same place where her racing dream began.

Zakirah became the first female rider to reach the podium in the championship’s history, marking a significant milestone for women in motorsports.

Despite her packed racing schedule, Zakirah hasn’t let go of her education. In fact, her college has been one of her biggest supporters. “My college is super supportive. They even came to watch me race. I also received a sports scholarship from them, which really helped,” she shared. While some friends were initially concerned about the risks, most now cheer her on and take pride in her accomplishments.

Zakirah is currently racing with Lady Boss Racing Team in the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) and represents HI-Rev Triple Zed Racing in the MSF Championship. She also made history as the first Asian woman to compete in the Women’s European Championship (WEC). Her ultimate aim this season? To clinch the overall title.

Zakirah was also named Female Rider of the Year at the 2024 Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) Awards Night, held in Kuala Lumpur this past February. She shared the stage with high-calibre local racers such as Hafizh Syahrin and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman. 

Her favourite machine at the moment is the Kawasaki Ninja 400, which she describes as smooth, stable, and responsive, perfect for her riding style. “It may feel a bit heavy at first, but the more I ride it, the more confident I get. It’s easy to adapt to, and I really enjoy pushing it,” she explained.

Zakirah (Middle) with the HI-REV Triple Zed Racing Team

Through it all, Zakirah remains focused, not just on winning, but on paving the way for other girls who dream of racing. “Even though I’m young and female, I’ve proven that I can do this. The most important thing is respect. When you handle everything yourself and show you’re serious, people start to see your value.”

Her journey is only just beginning, but one thing is certain, Zakirah isn’t just racing for trophies. She’s racing for change. And with her throttle goes full gas, there’s no slowing her down.

Stay tuned with iMotorbike for more exclusive rider stories and the latest motorsport updates across Malaysia and beyond.