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UPPER HAND FOR SOPHOMORE ASIA DREAM CUP RIDERS

2016, 2016 Round1, Asia Dream Cup /

The second-season riders of the Asia Dream Cup are holding the upper hand during the free practice session at Round 1 in the Johor Circuit. Seasoned trio Hafiz Nor Azman, Md Harith Farhan and Hiroki Nakamura were a second faster than the rest of the grid. Hafiz led the timesheets with 1’51.726s followed Harith with 1’51.848s and Nakamura third with 1’51.964s. Japanese rider Tokio Shibuta led the class of 2016 when he posted fourth fastest with 1’52.843s, a little more than half a second in front of Indonesia’s Mohd Febriansyah. Thailand’s Sittipon Srimoontree and India’s Sethu Rajiv were equally impressive when they ended the first practice 6th and 7th fastest.

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NEWCOMERS SET THE UNDERBONE PACE

2016, 2016 Round1, Underbone 130 /

Underbone 130cc newcomers Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Md Haziq Md Fairues distinguished themselves during the first day of practice at the kick-off leg of the 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. 17-year-old Azroy emerged as the fastest rider with1’53.833s while 15-year-old Haziq checked in at second fastest with 1’54.222s. Despite consistently dominating the timesheets during the pre-season test, RCB KAGE Motobatt Yamaha YY Pang duo Md Adib Rosley and Md Izzat Zaidi were only third and fourth fastest in the Underbone 130cc SuperPole. Unlike the other classes, the Underbone 130cc grid is determined by SuperPole method. Each rider gets a clean piece of track on which to perform. The reason was to eliminate the element of slipstream towing from the heritage South East Asian class.

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APIWAT REAPS BENEFITS FROM PRE-SEASON TEST

2016, 2016 Round1, Asia Production 250 /

The official pre-season test of the 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship held only a week before the season opener has brought benefits for many of the riders. In the Asia Production 250cc class, most of the riders were able to spend the first day of free practices focused on their riding instead of machine set-up. Thai rider Apiwat Wongthananon continued to exert his dominance in the Asia Production 250cc class. The 22-year-old rider was consistently the fastest man on the grid, and topped the first day’s timesheets with 1’45.142s. Indonesia’s Rey Ratukore upped his game and posted the second fastest time of 1’45.513s. Defending champion Takehiro Yamamoto was third fastest with 1’45.582s. Similar to the SuperSports 600cc class, the lap record charted during the pre-season test held intact after the first day of practice. “We didn’t make much changes to the bike set-up for today, the team and I were satisfied with the results from last week’s pre-season test. But thanks to the extra practice, I now feel more comfortable on this bike. Today, I spent the three free practice sessions focused on my riding and I am confident that I will be in contention for pole position during qualifying,” said Apiwat. Apiwat’s team mate, Anupab Sarmoon and Johor-born Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin rounded up the top five.

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NO SWEAT: ZAQHWAN CONTINUES 600cc DOMINATION

2016, 2016 Round1, Supersports 600 /

The temperature may be soaring at the Johor Circuit, but local boy Zaqhwan Zaidi is not sweating the competition as he faces down a 21-strong SuperSports 600cc grid. The 21-year-old rider secured the provisional pole position for the season opening leg of the 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship with his fastest time of 1’31.423s. Zaqhwan, who is also 2014 SuperSports 600cc Asian Champion, will expect stiff competition from Japanese rider Tomoyoshi Koyama who was second fastest with 1’31.654s and his former team mate Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman who clocked third fastest with 1’31.902s. The top three riders were the only ones lapping within the 1 minute 31 second barrier. Zaqhwan’s fastest time recorded during the official pre-season test, 1’31.112s, remains as the unofficial lap record at the 3.86km Johor Circuit. “I think everyone was more relaxed today because we have all been able to do many laps during the pre-season test last week. The variables such as track temperature and tarmac condition has remained the same. So, for the free practices, we were able to focus on long runs to find the limits of the new tyres instead of going for speed. I have been able to test out many different compound combinations but we are still fine-tuning our strategy for qualifying and the race. I am expecting a drastic change of results during the qualifying session so we can’t rest on our laurels yet,” said Zaqhwan. Thai riders Ratthapong Wilairot (1’32.130s) and Thitipong Warokorn (1’32.166s) completed the free practices in fourth and fifth places respectively. Indonesian riders Gerry Salim and Ahmad Yudhistira, double 600cc champion Decha Kraisart, 600cc sophomore Taiga Hada and defending champion Yuki Takahashi all made it into the top-10 in the SuperSports 600cc. Moto2 rider Anthony West, was 13th fastest with 1’32.741s, 1.5 seconds off Zaqhwan’s pace.

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FIM ASIA ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP INKS PARTNERSHIP WITH EVERSPORT.TV, PREMIERE LIVE STREAMING PLATFORM

2016, Latest News /

The 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) will now have a new online home at www.EverSport.tv. EverSport and ARRC announced an exclusive multi-year partnership today to bring the championships to all global regions through the EverSport streaming platform, syndication network and via their smart embed player, which will be embedded directly on the FIM ARRC website. The on-track drama of each race will live on the EverSport platform and be available on web and mobile. “We chose to partner with Eversport because they have a sophisticated OTT solution to bring our race to many new fans in and outside of Asia,” said Ron Hogg, Promotions Director of Two Wheels Motor Racing, the race promoters of the ARRC. EverSport is an innovative media company that provides a best-in-breed streaming platform proven to grow rights holders’ audience and revenues more effectively than any other platform by harnessing the power of syndication, marketing and social media. “We are thrilled to add the ARRC to our fast growing motor and action sports portfolio, as this will be an exciting Championship for fans around the world to watch,” said Wayne Sieve, CEO of EverSport.

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INDONESIA’S RIZAL FERIYADI RISES TO THE OCCASION

2016, 2016 Test, Suzuki Asian Challenge /

A day after Japanese rider Maxi Hattori scored the fastest time in the 2016 Suzuki Asian Challenge tryouts, Indonesian rider Rizal Feriyadi upped the ante by going one second faster to emerge as the quickest contender on the grid. Rizal posted at 2’00.613s clocking the exact same time as second-season rider April King Mascardo of the Philippines. Malaysian rider Muhd Rozaliman Zakaria was third fastest with 2’01.034s while India’s Jagan Kumar tested fourth fastest with 2’01.284s. Jefri Tosema succeeded in placing a second Indonesian rider in the top-five with his best lap of 2’01.407s. Combined Suzuki Asian Challenge Selection Resuls: 1. Rizal Feriyadi (INA), 2’00.613s; 2. April King Mascardo (PHI), 2’00.613s; 3. Muhd Rozaliman Zakaria (MAS), 2’01.034s; 4. Jagan Kumar (IND), 2’01.284s; 5. Jefri Tosema (INA), 2’01.034s; 6. Maxi Hattori (JPN), 2’01.284s; 7. Muhammad Sapril (INA), 2’01.407s; 8. Arsyad Rusydi Shaharum (SIN), 2’01.633s; 9. Kannan Subramaniam (IND), 2’01.998s; 10. Shinnosuke Sato (JPN), 2’02.054s

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MIXED RESULTS FROM PRE-SEASON SELECTION IN 2016 ASIA DREAM CUP

2016, 2016 Test, Asia Dream Cup /

The 2016 selection process for the Asia Dream Cup (Asia Dream Cup) saw mixed results from the new tryouts and second-term riders. Hafiz Nor Azman and Hiroki Nakamura from the class of 2015 easily aced the selection. Malaysian rider Hafiz, who has the slight advantage of prior racing experience at the Johor Circuit, was consistently the fastest rider in the class. He clocked 1’51.706s as the fastest rider, followed by Nakamura, second fastest with 1’51.851s. Newcomer Tokio Shibuta impressed with the third fastest time of the grid, 1’52.134s. Behind Shibuta, Malaysian Md Harith Farhan who had previously taken part in the ADC in 2014, was fourth fastest with 1’52.663s. Returning rider Md Febriansyah of Indonesia rounded up the top five. Combined Asia Dream Cup Selection Results: 1. Hafiz Nor Azman (MAS), 1’51.706s; 2. Hiroki Nakamura (JPN), 1’51.851s; 3. Tokio Shibuta (JPN), 1’52.134s; 4. Md Harith Farhan (MAS), 1’52.663s; 5. Md Febriansyah (INA), 1’52.742s; 6. Woraphod Niamsakhonsakul (THA), 1’52.905s; 7. Broc Pearson (AUS), 1’52.972s; 8. Zhou Sheng Jun Jie (CHN), 1’53.132s; 9. Yassiin Gabriel Somma (INA), 1’53.578s; 10. Jaden Gunawardena (SRI), 1’53.587s

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ADIB AND IZZAT CONFIDENT IN UNDERBONE CATEGORY

2016, 2016 Test, Underbone 130 /

Team RCB KAGE Motobatt Yamaha YY Pang’s Md Adib Rosley and Md Izzat Zaidi gained in confidence as the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship’s pre-season test came to an end. Adib and Izzat finished three days of practice as the two fastest riders in the Underbone 130cc category. Adib led the group with 1’53.146s. Izzat was second fastest with 1’53.343s. FELDA PB Racing’s Md Shah Khairil Hisham was officially third fastest with 1’54.744s. “So far, it has been an easy run for us, but we won’t allow the pre-season test results to lull us into complacence. The Indonesian competitors are not here yet and they could easily turn the tables on us,” said Adib. Combined Underbone 130cc Practice Results: 1. Md Adib Rosley (MAS), 1’53.146s; 2. Md Izzat Zaidi (MAS), 1’53.343s; 3. Md Shah Khairil Hisham (MAS), 1’54.744s; 4. Iqbal Amri Malik (MAS), 1’55.089s; 5. Azroy Hakeem Anuar (MAS), 1’55.466s

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YAMAMOTO-APIWAT RIVALRY RESUMES IN NEW SEASON

2016, 2016 Test, Asia Production 250 /

Defending Asia Production 250cc champion Takehiro Yamamoto is set to resume his rivalry with Thai ace Apiwat Wongthananon. However, Yamamoto believes that defending the title may be easier than winning it for the first time last season. Yamamoto spent an entire year fending off repeated attacks from then AP Honda trio comprising of Apiwat, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat, and Vorapong Malahuan. This season, Nakarin has left the Asian series for a slot in the Spanish National Championship. Vorapong is the only seasoned rider left in the Honda team because Apiwat has switched over to Yamaha. The 23-year Yamamoto believes that 2016 may turn out to be a two horse race with Apiwat. The results from the official pre-season test of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship lends credence to Yamamoto’s assumptions. Apiwat set the Asia Production 250cc benchmark with a time of 1’45.057s. Yamamoto, second fastest, was 0.4 seconds off with 1’45.402s. Apiwat’s new team mates Anupab Sarmoon and Peerapong Loiboonpeng were third and fourth fastest respectively. “On paper, it may seem like I am being hounded by a trio of Thai team mates again. But in actuality, it is only Apiwat who is the fastest rider. Anupab and Peerapong were only able to climb up the timesheets by catching a tow from the other riders. We will have to wait for Round 1 to see how well Vorapong works with his new team mates,” said Yamamoto who suffered a crash during the first day of the pre-season practice but has since recovered. “It was just a flesh wound on my hand. Nothing that will stop me from racing next week,” Yamamoto dismissed the injury. Combined Asia Production 250cc Practice Results: 1. Apiwat Wongthananon (THA), 1’45.057s; 2. Takehiro Yamamoto (JPN), 1’45.402; 3. Anupab Sarmoon (THA), 1’45.611s; 4. Peerapong Loiboonpeng (THA), 1’45.620s; 5. Somkiat Chantra (THA), 1’45.781s; 6. Ayumu Tanaka (JPN), 1’45.853s; 7. Vorapong Malahuan (THA), 1’45.917s; 8. Suhathai Chaemsap (THA), 1’45.989s; 9. Galang Hendra Pratama (INA), 1’46.013s; 10. Sitthisak Onchawiang (THA), 1’46.185s

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ZAQHWAN COMPLETED THREE DAY PRE-SEASON TEST AS FASTEST 600cc RIDER

2016, 2016 Test, Supersports 600 /

Malaysian rider Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi completed three days of the 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship pre-season test as the fastest SuperSports 600cc rider on the grid. The MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda rider clocked 1’31.112s on the final day of the pre-season tests, wresting the lead from Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman who had been the pace setter of the 600cc class during the first two days of the test sessions. Azlan, who had a different test objective on Day 3, did not improve on his personal best time, and remains second on the timesheet with 1’31.616s. Tomoyoshi Koyama of team T.Pro Yuzy Honda NTS posted the third quickest time of 1’31.773s. “I really like how the season opener is shaping up. Most exciting was the fact that the SuperSports 600cc are now fully on slick tyres this year. I really like the tyre characteristics and how it improves my performance. But at the Johor Circuit, the rough surface requires the team to try out more set-up combinations in order to get the ideal tyre strategy,” said Zaqhwan who is also 2014 SuperSports 600cc Champion. “Frankly, I was surprised that I had managed to clock the fastest time because everyone kept getting progressively faster. Let’s use my team mate Yuki Takahashi’s best time as a benchmark. On Day 1, Takahashi clocked the third fastest time, 1’32.924s. He was absent from the test on Day 2 and Day 3. He has now dropped to 14th fastest. The race next week is bound to be a tightly contested race, especially with the news of more international calibre riders entering the fray.” Combined SuperSports 600cc Practice Results: 1. Md Zaqhwan Zaidi (MAS), 1’31.112s; 2. Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (MAS), 1’31.616s; 3. Tomoyoshi Koyama (JPN), 1’31.773s; 4. Decha Kraisart (THA), 1’31.779s; 5. Ratthapong Wilairot (THA), 1’32.233s; 6. Ahmad Yudhistira (INA), 1’32.243; 7. Taiga Hada (JPN), 1’32.501s; 8. Jakkrit Sawangswat (THA), 1’32.508s; 9. Thitipong Warokorn (THA), 1’32.520s; 10. Andy Muhammad Fadly (INA), 1’32.525s

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