Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Wan Bahari Nasir Khan would get an adrenalin rush each time he pitted his racing skills against 200-odd Mat Rempit. The prize money of up to RM1,000 was simply a bonus, because what he loved most was the feel of the wind on the face as he raced the streets of Penang.

Police roadblocks and a major accident two years ago that left a gaping hole in the left kneecap did not deter him.

He finally called it quits after joining the Putera Umno second chance programme.

When his friends told him that Putera Umno was holding an interview for school leavers to further their studies in hotel management, nursing and the automotive field, he decided to give it a shot.

Within two weeks, he was offered a place to study at the Institute of Automotive Technology, or Tekat, in Kajang.

"I chose automotive technology because I love it. I have always loved speed and it also comes from my passion for modifying motorcycles," said Wan Bahari, who is in level three and due to complete his course this year.

The 19-year-old said his passion for racing started when his eldest brother gave him a motorcycle so that it would be easier for him to get to the factory where he worked.

Wan Bahari thought of continuing his studies but put his plans on hold because of financial constraints and ended up working instead.

Now that he has been given a second chance, he is determined to make full use of it.

"The second chance programme is great as it provides education opportunities to youth like me. Putera Umno will even help us find jobs afterwards," he said, adding that he hoped to set up a workshop one day.

Another former Mat Rempit getting a second chance at the SeGI Training Centre in Seri Kembangan is Mohamad Safwan Adam Mohamad Anwar, 20, from Ipoh.

Safwan started thinking about his future after a bad accident in November 2006.

"I was riding my bike at maximum speed although it had no brakes and no front or back lights. I crashed into an oncoming car and after that, I decided that enough was enough."

Safwan's parents can now heave a sigh of relief at the change in their son.

"It used to be that every time I came home from racing, usually in the wee hours of the morning, a bottle of air penerang hati (prayer water) would be on the table," he said.

Another former Mat Rempit, Mohd Syaifuddin Sukri, 19, from Kota Baru, said his parents were happier now after he joined the programme.

"I get special treatment from my parents these days and everything I ask for, even money, is given to me," he said.

Syaifuddin is also pursuing the automotive course in the same college.

"I love to repair engines. I used to modify my father's motorcycle when I was 14 and later worked on my own motorcycle."

Another trainee, Wan Hasdee Wan Ismail, 19, from George Town, is proud that he was able to kick his habit of illegal racing.

"One day, I finally realised that I would not go far if I continued to race and decided to stop. I started looking for opportunities to further my studies and came across the Putera Umno programme," he said, adding that he aimed to be a car designer in Japan.

Syaiful Rizwan Mokhtar, 19, admitted that he had been tempted to race again but the thought of his parents' disappointment made him resist the temptation.

However, he admits to joining his Mat Rempit friends whenever he returns to his hometown in Sabak Bernam, Selangor.