Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship witnessed the racing rebellion and aggression of two strong characters in the Asia Superbike 1000cc, battling the storm towards the calm of victory however a rough patch in their aspirations came to a halt and when Hafizh Syahrin of JDT RACING TEAM and Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA hit the grounds, his teammate Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND seized the moment. With that, the former won the race and the latter topped the chart.
The contention however is not over with one final round to tick off before the end of the season. With Nakarin holding an advantage on Chang International Circuit, the narratives are bound to get trickier especially with point differences that can be tackled easily by the top four contenders. The Thai lad currently leads the chart with a 4-point advantage from Malaysian, Hafizh and while Keito and Zaqhwan share the same points, the Japanese has a better advantage in securing the victory bid without the long-lap penalty.
The question is, can home-boy, Nakarin maximise his potentials and deflect the heat of rivalry from his closest contenders to not only maintain his current position but also redeem the championship award? The prospects seem near yet far more so with the proven credibility and progressive performance of his rivals. However, compelling in this story is Nakarin’s excellence and endurance on home-ground which has been established in Round 1 with his double-win. Will he be able keep pressure aside, stay focused and emulate the rewarding experience?
Commenting on this, Nakarin said, “Pressure is inevitable. It is always there during the race more so when the competition gets stiffer. But I chose to take it as a motivation. The aim to stay focused throughout the weekend without any other distractions and to keep pushing forward. Apart from that, in any racing, it is equally important to stay consistent, avoid mistakes where possible and give 100% in every race. So, that is what I will keep doing till the end of the season. Of course, there will be some setbacks that has to be managed but that is all part of the game and for the season finale, I am well prepared for it.”
“Both Hafizh and Keito are very strong contenders but at the moment, I am only working on my best performances. Chang circuit is home to me and I know every corner and every bump on the track like the back of my hands. It is a ground that I am accustomed to especially with my riding styles and techniques. It helps me ride is a smooth, fast and precise manner. Every lap here gives me the confidence that I need. Of course, I also have some challenges too like heat and tyre management. Everyone’s fast here so staying strong till the last lap will make a whole load of difference. The championship title is the goal but racing in ASB1000 itself is already rewarding. Competing with the top riders in Asia has not only helped me grow but shaped me to become a better rider. Next season, no plans at the moment but I want to finish this season strong first then await the opportunities that come next.”