Astra Honda Racing Team trio Gerry Salim, Rheza Danica Ahrens and Andi Farid Izdihar thrilled Indonesian fans when they produced a clean sweep of the Race 1 podium in the Asia Production 250cc class. The three riders delivered on their podium promises at Round 4 of the Idemitsu Asia Road Racing Championship held at the Sentul Circuit from August 11 to 13, 2017.
Of the three, Gerry Salim had the easiest time throughout the 12-lap race. Quickest during the qualifying practice, Gerry produced a lights-to-flag performance from pole position and took his sixth win of the season with 20:51.073s.
Rheza and replacement rider Andi Farid, on the other hand, had to fight for their finishing position. Penalized for cruising during the qualifying, both riders lost five grid positions and were forced to start the race from the middle of the grid. However, the gutsy duo only needed three laps to get to the front of the second group. Working together, the two riders were able to fend off persistent attempts from Tomoyoshi Koyama and Anupab Sarmoon, eventually finishing second and third respectively with times of 20:53.715s and 20:53.997s.
Koyama finished fourth while Galang Hendra Pratama rounded up the top five. Further down the field, Anupab Sarmoon, Imanuel Putra Pratna, Peerapong Boonlert, Rey Ratukore and Mukhlada Sarapuech crossed the finish line within the top 10.