Danish leads the field onto his home turf, with another 50 points in play this weekend

After another two very different showdowns at Buriram, the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup is now heading for Sepang International Circuit to race for another 50 points. There’s a small chance the title could be decided as Hakim Danish arrives seven points clear, but with Mandalika still to go, Malaysia will likely more prove a melting pot of pressure as the clock ticks down on the road to the finale.

Danish will, as the home hero and the points leader, be looking to win big. But with the form seen from Veda Ega Pratama now he’s back from injury, the Indonesian may fancy his chances of taking the fight to the number 13. Gun Mie remains a consistent frontrunner and bounced back from his tough race at Motegi with two podiums at Buriram too, definitely not to be counted out, and Carter Thompson impressed once again in Thailand with pole position and, finally, that visit to the podium.

Also looking to join that front group again will be Shinya Ezawa, who won in Japan before a tougher time in Thailand, and the number 21 is only seven points off Danish at the top so there’s plenty to play for. Amon Odaki too, after a stunning first round of the year, will want more from the next two races, and Hamad al-Sahouti is looking to bounce back from a tough Sunday marred by a puncture in Buriram.

Danish is the leading home hero in the standings and he’ll be looking to put on a show. Can the Malaysian strike at Sepang? We’ll find out this weekend, with Race 1 underway on Saturday at 16:30 (GMT+8), before Race 2 on Sunday at 9:00.