PETALING JAYA: Negaraku reverberated for the first time in World Motorcycle Championship history as young Malaysian Khairul Idham Pawi charged to an unbelievable victory in Moto3 race at the Grand Prix of Argentina.

The race at the Termas De Rio Hondo circuit in Argentina was declared a wet race and Khairul put up a sensational performance despite riding on slick tyres to claim his and the nation's first ever victory in 49 years of world motorcycle championship racing.

The 17-year-old, riding for Honda Team Asia in what was only his second race of his rookie season, shot into the lead straight from the gun and quickly opened up an advantage of over half a second by the middle of the first lap.

It could have been a fantastic one-two finish with Adam Norrodin but the Drive M7 SIC Racing Team rider crashed as he tries to overtake Jorge Navarro at the last turn for the second place.

Norrodin pushed his bike across the line for 11th, drawing applause from all those in the crowd and pit lane.

Khairul started the race from seventh while Adam from 17th on the grid after qualifying on Saturday.

After an almost unbelievable 21-lap of consistent riding, Khairul crossed the line a staggering 26.170 seconds ahead of Spaniard Navarro.

Norrodin's high-side gave way to pole man Brad Binder of South Africa to claim third.

Khairul was in disbelief after the race.

"It's too good to be true. I am stunned and could not believe this. I had good setting for the last two days and I am so happy," said Khairul, who has now gone a step better than Zulfahmi Khairuddin.

Zulfahmi finished second in the Malaysian GP back in 2012.