Who says riders only meet on the track? Two young stars from the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship decided to hit the brakes just a little, and took their training on a joyride across borders. Fadillah Arbi Pratama, the rising Indonesian talent from the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM in AP250 category, and Kim Min Jae from Korea in TVS ASIA One Make Championship teamed up for a unique exchange that blended serious training with plenty of laughs, local food, and even a scooter or two.
It all began in Spain, where the two riders were part of the Junior Talent Team. Living under the same roof, managed by the same team, and coached side by side, their bond grew beyond teammates, they became friends. “That’s when we came up with the idea,” Arbi shared. “We thought, why not train together in each other’s countries?” And just like that, the plan was born: Indonesia first, then Korea. The goal? Push each other to improve, and maybe learn a few unexpected things along the way.
For Min Jae, training in Indonesia was like stepping into another world. “It was a great experience. Just following Arbi helped me learn so much. He showed me my weak points and how to fix them.” One surprising discovery? The art of sliding the rear tire. “In Indonesia, a lot of riders use the rear brake to slide into turns, especially on karting tracks. I tried it right away, and it really worked!”
But the biggest challenge came when the skies opened up. “Riding in the rain was really hard at first,” Min Jae admitted. “They use dry tires even when it’s wet, and ride like there’s no rain at all! I couldn’t understand it, but by following Arbi’s line, I learned how to control the bike better.” The passion of Indonesian riders also left a strong impression. “In Korea, we have good bikes and nice tracks, but I didn’t see many riders pushing to the limit. In Indonesia, everyone rides like their life depends on it. Even the kids! And the coaches are real racing experts, not just instructors for street riders.”
Min Jae also couldn’t believe where Indonesians managed to train. “They even practice in parking lots! In Korea, if you do that, you might end up at the police station!” He adjusted his riding posture on Arbi’s advice, and while he didn’t copy every technique, he paid close attention to Arbi’s tips. “If he said something was good, I did my best to do it, even when it wasn’t easy.”
Back in Korea, it was Arbi’s turn to be the guest and he was more than ready to learn. “It was a great experience for me too,” he said. “I was happy to share my ideas with Min Jae, and I learned a lot in return.” What stood out for Arbi was the emphasis on physical fitness. “Korean riders run a lot during training, and now I’m mixing that with gym and cycling here in Indonesia.”
He was also impressed by Korea’s modern facilities. “Everything is so well-organized, the karting tracks, the training equipment, the bikes, it’s all top-notch.” But it wasn’t just about the shiny facilities. “The riders were really friendly and so competitive. That energy made me feel happy to be there.”
Of course, training wasn’t the only thing on the menu. Arbi’s eyes lit up when asked about his favorite Korean experience: “Hands down to the Korean BBQ and Tteok-bokki(rice cakes)!” he laughed. While for Min Jae, the highlights included riding scooters around the city and enjoying the cheap, delicious fruit, something he says is a rare treat back home.
So what can each country learn from the other? Arbi believes Indonesia could benefit from Korea’s infrastructure, while Min Jae hopes to see more Korean kids getting into racing earlier, with the same fiery passion he saw in Indonesia. “We need more young riders who start fast and train hard,” he said.
At the end of the day, this wasn’t just about mastering corners or finding better lap times. It was about friendship, curiosity, and pushing each other to grow, on and off the track. With two helmets, two countries, and one big shared dream, Arbi and Min Jae proved that racing doesn’t always have to be serious. Sometimes, it can just be seriously fun.