Round 4 of the 2017 Idemitsu Asia Road Racing Championship, held at the Sentul International Circuit in Indonesia, looks set to be the favourite hunting ground for the home-grown heroes.
The Indonesian riders topped the timesheets in the Asia Production 250cc and Underbone 150cc. Similarly, Ahmad Saugi Muchtar grabbed provisional pole in the Suzuki Asian Challenge with a fast lap of 1’59.672s. Ahmad Saugi was the only contender to lap below the 2-minute mark.
Tetsuya Fujita seemed to be threatening. The Japanese rider emerged as second fastest among the 15-rider line-up with 2’00.252s. Championship leader Punchana Kulrojchalalai clocked in third fastest with 2’00.284s.
Returning as a wildcard this season, 2016 Suzuki Asian Challenge Champion Jefri Tosema, proved that he still had the chops to coax the best out of the Suzuki GSX-R150. Jefri was fourth fastest with 2’00.458s. Another Indonesian rider, Chepy Armansyah, made it into the top five with 2’01.024s.
Early championship leaders April King Mascardo dropped to sixth on the timesheets. Nur Al Fath, Eane Jaye Sobretodo, Mario Borbon Jr and Edward Faulkhead also lapped within the top 10.