APIWATH EXCELLENT AT CHANG

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship continued with Race 1 in the highly competitive category of Asia Superbike 1000cc. Amidst the excitement and anticipation, Apiwath Wongthananonof YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team ASIA emerged victorious, showcasing exceptional skill and strategy at Chang International Circuit.
 
Apiwath began third on the grid after the Qualifying session with his fastest lap time at 1:38.734s behind duo of the same team, Muhammad Helmi Azman Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team who finished first and second with their fastest lap time at 1:38.600s and 1:38.606s respectively.
 
As the race started, Apiwath was quick to take lead, setting a blistering pace from the outset. Behind him, Helmi and Azroy closely followed, eager to seize the opportunity to challenge the Thailand rider. In a thrilling exchange of positions, Apiwath maintained his lead from the early laps, with Helmi chasing him down furiously. However, Helmi’s determined efforts paid off only for a short while as he overtook Apiwath on the third lap, before theThai lad reclaimed the position.
 
The intensity of the race escalated on the fifth lap as Azroy encountered a crash with Wahyu Nugroho from YAMAHA Racing Indonesia, forcing Azroy out of the race while Nugroho continued without falling. As a result, Wahyu took over P3. Meanwhile, Mohammad Adenanta Putra of Astra Honda Racing Team showcased remarkable resilience as he climbed up the ranks, eventually overtaking Wahyu Nugroho on the seventh lap to bag the third position.
 
In a breathtaking display of speed and skill, ApiwathWongthananon surged ahead in the final laps, leaving a gap between him and Helmi, ultimately crossing the finish line in first position with total time of 20’00:231s.
 
Apiwath Wongthananon expressed gratitude to his team and Yamaha for their support, stating, “Today is a perfect day for me. At the start in Qualifying session, I forgot to concentrate on the game, but I pushed 100% in the race. I am rather grateful that the bike was very fast and easy to ride, thanks to Yamaha for making the necessary settings.”
 
Coming in second was Muhammad Helmi Azman form IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team clocking in at 20’02:752s.
 
Mohammad Adenanta Putra clocked in at 20’03:385s which placed him at the 3rd spot on the podium.
 
Top 5 Fastest – Race 1
 

  1. Apiwath Wongthananon (YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team ASIA) – 20’00:231s
  2. Muhammad Helmi Azman (IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team) – 20’02:752s
  3. Mohammad Adenanta Putra (ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM) – 20’03:385s
  4. Wahyu Nugroho (YAMAHA Racing Indonesia) – 20’03:390s
  5. Thanat Laoongplio (Honda Racing Thailand) – 20’03:861s