webadmin webadmin

WAHYU TAKES IT EASY AT SENTUL

2016, 2016 Round4, Underbone 130 /

Indonesian rider Wahyu Aji Trilaksana took early control of the Underbone 130cc category when he posted the fastest time in all three practice sessions on Day 1. Comfortable racing at the Sentul Circuit, host to Round 4 of the 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Wahyu confirmed his pole position with a time of 1’55.802s. For the 24-year-old rider who is third overall in the standings, his home race would be the best chance to turn the tables on championship leaders Mohd Izzat Zaidi and Amirul Ariff Musa. However, Wahyu is shrugging off the pressure, intent on enjoying the upcoming race. “It is good to start from pole position but let’s not forget that in Underbone racing, even those at the back of the grid stand a chance to catch up to the lead. I just want to relax, stay focused, and have fun this weekend racing in front of our home fans. Hopefully we can deliver good results for them,” said Wahyu. Alongside Wahyu on the front straight are two Malaysian rivals – Mohd Amirul Ariff Musa who posted second fastest with 1’55.985s and Ahmad Fazli Sham third fastest with 1’56.135s. Conversely, it is the two Malaysians who will feel the most pressure at the starting grid, especially when the second row is completely filled by the home ground heroes. Wahyu Nugraha leads the second row with 1’56.731s, followed by wildcard Richard Taroreh fifth fastest with 1’56.742s and Florianus Roy sixth with 1’57.481s.

WAHYU TAKES IT EASY AT SENTUL Read More »

FEBRIANSYAH QUICKEST IN FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE

2016, 2016 Round4, Asia Dream Cup /

Indonesian Muhd Febriansyah has set the benchmark time in the Asia Dream Cup category as the first day of practice got underway at Round 4 which is held in the Sentul Circuit. Febriansyah posted a time of 1’52.035s as the quickest ADC rider. Laptimes were comparatively slower than previous years as the class of 2016 opted to spend more time on getting familiar with the tricky track conditions than clocking fast times. Championship leader Hiroki Nakamura was second fastest with 1’52.299s. Meanwhile, Indonesian rookie Yaasiin Gabriel Somma rode into prominence for the first time this season as he used his knowledge of the Sentul track to clinch the third fastest time of the day, 1’52.681s. Malaysia’s Hafiz Nor Azman and China’s Zhou Sheng Jun Jie rounded up the top five spots.

FEBRIANSYAH QUICKEST IN FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE Read More »

ROZALIMAN TOPS SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE FIRST PRACTICE

2016, 2016 Round4, Suzuki Asian Challenge /

Muhd Rozaliman Zakaria from Malaysia checked in with the fastest time in the Suzuki Asian Challenge during the first day of practice at Round 4. The rider who is currently second overall in the title chase clocked 2’00.516s at the top of the timesheets. However, Rozaliman will have his work cut out for him in the encounters to come, especially with Indonesian Jefri Tosema a mere 0.082 seconds off Rozaliman’s pace. Jefri was second fastest of the day with 2’00.598s followed by the Philippine’s April King Mascardo in third with 2’01.307s. The 2015 Race 1 winner at Sentul, Jagan Kumar from India, was also strong during the first practice session. He posted fourth fastest with 2’01.453s, beating out Indonesian duo Rizal Feriyadi and Muhammad Sapril.

ROZALIMAN TOPS SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE FIRST PRACTICE Read More »

TOP RIDERS MISSING FROM THE SENTUL GRID

2016, 2016 Round4, Supersports 600 /

The SuperSports 600cc class has been hit by a spate of injuries even before Round 4 takes off at the Sentul Circuit in Indonesia this August 6 and 7. Several of the top riders had been injured in other racing championships during the mid-season break and deemed unfit for racing in Round 4. Defending champion Yuki Takahashi, second in the 2016 riders ranking so far, has confirmed that he is not fit enough to race in Round 4. Takahashi crashed during one of the rounds of the All Japan and his doctors had confirmed that he is not fit to race. Team MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda will bring in wildcard rider Satoru Iwata to take Takahashi’s place. But as a wildcard, Iwata is expected to have little impact on the title chase. Malaysia’s former Moto2 rider Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman suffered a broken leg at the end of the Suzuka round and has also confirmed that he will not be racing in Sentul. “I broke my leg during Round 3 at Suzuka two months ago. The injury was quite serious and I spent more than a month in the hospital in Japan undergoing surgery. The injury is getting better now, but we feel that it would be too risky to resume racing so soon. If I were to crash again in Sentul, the consequences might be even more serious. So while I am disappointed to miss out on the battle in Sentul, I have to agree with my doctors that it is just not worth the risk particularly as a number of the other top riders will also be absent this weekend,” said Azlan. Most recently, Thai rider Ratthapong Wilairot fractured his wrists during the Suzuka 8-Hour Endurance Race and is still recovering from surgery. The spate of injuries suffered by the top flight riders now open up the opportunity for Tomoyoshi Koyama and Zaqhwan Zaidi to change the course of the 2016 title chase. Koyama, who leads Takahashi by one point, could provisionally strengthen his position at the top of the riders’ rankings. Similarly, Zaqhwan now has the opportunity to establish a stronger position for himself. Additionally, the Indonesian riders will also be given a wider berth to dominate the Sentul podium. Dimas Ekky Pratama, Ahmad Yudhistira and Gerry Salim who are fifth, sixth and seventh respectively, would be expected to be in the limelight of their home race.

TOP RIDERS MISSING FROM THE SENTUL GRID Read More »

STATUS QUO FOR ALL CLASSES

2016, 2016 Round4, Supersports 600 /

Extended Races Will Not Apply In Sentul The recent confirmation of longer races in the SuperSports 600cc class will not apply for the Indonesian round this coming August 6 to 7, 2016. Instead of the extra two laps, Race Direction had dialed back the number of race laps to its original 16. In addition, the final races for the open-make class will take place at an earlier time, flagging off at noon on both Saturday and Sunday. This is to ensure that all riders enjoy maximum visibility and the races happen during the brightest time of the day.

STATUS QUO FOR ALL CLASSES Read More »

SPECIAL SALUTE TO M. FADLI IMMAMMUDDIN

2016, Supersports 600 /

As the championship returns to the Sentul Circuit on August 6 and 7, the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship pays special tribute to Indonesian rider M. Fadli Immammuddin for his remarkable perseverance and determination to overcome the odds. 14 months after the accident in Sentul last year, Fadli is on the mend. Today, Fadli has regained his mobility, actively cycles to keep his fitness, and leading a busy yet fulfilling live with his role as official trainer for Astra Honda. “The first six months after the tragedy were the most challenging. I underwent numerous surgeries in a bid to save the foot. During that time, I suffered depression and despair because the feeling of the re-attached limb was not good,” the 32-year-old Indonesian ace recalled. “I prayed a lot for guidance and by the grace of the Almighty, I learnt to accept. In early 2016, I made the decision to amputate and move on with my life. I was inspired by stories and videos of the athletes in the Paralympics – their dedication and positive attitude gave me a lot of strength. The moment the decision was made, I felt a load off my shoulders.” “Within a month after the amputation, I was fitted with prosthetics and started intensive physiotherapy. Three months later, I was finally fully mobile again. Today, I can not only cycle but am back on the bike. I can even shift gears with my new foot,” said Fadli. The 32-year-old M. Fadli has a permanent place in the Asia Road Racing Championship history books – as the first Indonesian rider to win the Asian title. Fadli accomplished this feat in 2004 when he won the Underbone 130cc title.

SPECIAL SALUTE TO M. FADLI IMMAMMUDDIN Read More »

YOUNG YAMAHA TALENT TO ATTEND VR46 RIDERS ACADEMY

2016, Asia Production 250 /

In an effort to help young talent develop their racing careers, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and the VR46 Riders Academy are proud to present “The Master Camp”, a project that offers selected Yamaha riders a chance to learn from none other than living MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi. Young Yamaha talent is offered the opportunity of a lifetime; Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has nominated five Yamaha riders currently competing in the Asia Production 250 (AP250) class of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) to attend the VR46 Riders Academy. The selected riders will travel to Valentino Rossi’s hometown of Tavullia in Italy to take part in a programme dubbed “The Master Camp” from July 4th – 8th, 2016, where they will receive instruction and guidance from none other than nine-time World Champion and living MotoGP legend, Valentino Rossi, with the goal of improving their racing skills. The participants for the first run of this exclusive programme were chosen amongst young Yamaha riders from Asia, based on their current AP250 class points standings, age and other factors. ‘The Master Camp’ that they will be a part of will combine the knowledge and experience of both Yamaha and the VR46 Riders Academy to train, develop and prepare young riders to flourish on the world stage of motorcycle racing. The planned curriculum for the programme will have Rossi himself and full-time VR46 Riders Academy instructors teaching the participants about dirt track riding at the Motor Ranch at the Academy, track riding at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli and other technique enhancing activities. To support young Italian riders aiming to become world-class racers, Rossi decided to put his vast experience and knowledge from his many years of racing to good use and established the VR46 Riders Academy in 2014. Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is currently in the process of creating a step-up model and system to provide tier-based opportunities for young riders to further develop their careers. With the goal to help young talent make their way in the racing world, Yamaha entered into a formal three-year partnership agreement with the VR46 Riders Academy in March 2016 as an Official Partner and also as its Official Motorcycle Supplier. The VR46 Academy will play a key role as a step in Yamaha’s rider development and mentoring system by boosting the motivation of young riders, provide them with an unparalleled riding experience and build up skills to help them move up through the step-up programme. Valentino Rossi “Only a few months ago the partnership between Yamaha and VR46 began and it brought the guys of the Academy some fantastic bikes for their training, on track and at the Ranch. This was already a great step towards helping young talent, but today I am even happier when thinking about the start of the first edition of ‘The Master Camp’, which is only a few weeks away. In the first week of July some by Yamaha selected riders will come to train with me and the VR46 Academy riders. This initiative is a great achievement, and it’s only the first of many more exciting projects to come from this collaboration. Yamaha and VR46 have the same objective; they aim to help young talents to achieve top results in the motorcycle racing. I’m personally very happy to play an active role in helping young talent and I’m looking forward to meeting the Yamaha riders and training with them and the Academy guys at the Ranch and at the Misano circuit. They will spend an entire week with us, train with us, following the same programme every day, on track and at the gym. It won’t be easy for them, but I’m sure we’ll have fun! It will be a beautiful and busy week!” Participants for the Master Camp are Peerapong Loiboonpeng(Thailand), Galang Hendra Pratama(Indonesia), Soichiro Minamimoto(Japan), Kasma Daniel Bin Kasmayudin(Malaysia) and Imanuel Putra Pratna (Indonesia).

YOUNG YAMAHA TALENT TO ATTEND VR46 RIDERS ACADEMY Read More »

TAKAHASHI COMEBACK IN THE MAKING

2016, 2016 Round3, Supersports 600 /

After two dismal rounds in the early part of the 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Yuki Takahashi’s planned comeback at the Suzuka Circuit home ground has placed the SuperSports 600cc defending champion on the right path to potentially score the second consecutive Asian title of his career. Following his second place finish in Race 1 on Saturday, Takahashi returned to the grid on pole position for Race 2. Takahashi’s slow start gave the hole shot away to Thai rivals Decha Kraisart and Chalermpol Polamai but the MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda rider was soon able to make up for lost time and overtook Chalermpol on Lap 3. That moment marked the start of a 10-lap intense duelling between the Takahashi and Decha. Decha’s Yamaha clearly had better top speed while Takahashi’s Honda was superbly fast at the twisty second sector. The drama intensified on Lap 8 when Yuki Ito, with Tomoyoshi Koyama in tow, burst out of the 8-rider chasing pack to mix things up in the leading group. As the pressure intensified, Decha highsided at the last chicane on Lap 11, the same spot where he overtook Takahashi for the win in Race 1. The MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda rider used the reprieve well. While Decha’s crash slowed down the rest of the pack, Takahashi sped ahead to win the 15-lap race with a time of 33’24.813s. Tomoyoshi Koyama, who had been content to bide his time in fourth place, brushed past Ito at the last corner and was second across the finish line with a time of 33’25.594s. Yuki Ito also celebrated his first podium of the season in third place with 33’27.430s. “Decha proved to be a really tough competitor and the first three quarters of the race was a touch-and-go situation for both of us. I felt relieved when Decha crashed even though I was sorry for him,” said Takahashi. Meanwhile, championship leader Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman was absent from the Race 2 grid. The BikeART Racing Kawasaki rider crashed out after the chequered flag in Race 1 on Saturday and sustained a broken leg that ended his run at the top of the SuperSports 600cc standings. Tomoyoshi Koyama became the new leader after Round 3. A third place finish in Race 1 and a second place finishing in Race 2 boosted Koyama from third overall to the leading position with a total 105 points. Takahashi also jumped from fourth to second with 104 points in the bag. Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi who finished ninth in Race 1 and fifth in Race 2, slipped down to third overall position with 95 points.

TAKAHASHI COMEBACK IN THE MAKING Read More »

APIWAT SCORES ANOTHER DOUBLE

2016, 2016 Round3, Asia Production 250 /

Yamaha Thailand Racing’s golden rider, Apiwat Wongthananon, scored his second double-win of the season at the Suzuka Circuit, host to Round 3 of the 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Race 2 in the Asia Production 250cc category unfolded according to script for the Thai rider when a good start placed him at the front of the group with Takehiro Yamamoto and Ayumu Tanaka. The remainder of the 8-lap race progressed in a similar pattern to Race 1 with Apiwat cooly dealing with pressure from the two Japanese aces. The race was again won at the last chicane when Apiwat slipped past Yamamoto and sprinted to the finish line with a time of 20’07.079ss. The frustrated team mates Yamamoto and Tanaka were again forced to accept their second and third place positions with times of 20’07.495s and 20’07.692s respectively. “Race 2 was a little easier because Takahashi Yasuda never made it to the front group. In Race 1, I had to deal with a 3-on-1 situation but today, it was just two against one. My race strategy was set very early in the race when I saw that Yamamoto had not learnt his lessons from Race 1. He was still displaying the same weakness at the chicane. I knew then that if I kept up the pressure, he would run wide at the last lap,” said Apiwat. This latest victory is Apiwat’s fifth win in the 2016 season so far. The Thai rider has collected 136 points after three rounds and is sitting pretty at the top with a 46-point margin ahead of Yamamoto.

APIWAT SCORES ANOTHER DOUBLE Read More »

SIX-NATION PODIUM IN THE ASIA DREAM CUP

2016, 2016 Round3, Asia Dream Cup /

The second edition of the Asia Dream Endurance Race saw an unprecedented six-nation podium for the Asia Dream Cup class. A special event, the Asia Dream Cup sprint race becomes part of the 2-hour endurance race every time the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship rides into the Suzuka Circuit. The Asia Dream Endurance Race was essentially two distinct classes racing on the same grid – the main CBR class as well as the Asia Dream Cup class. Each class carried its own podiums and points. The 2016 edition started off in the rain with Thai duo Woraphod Niamsakhonsakul and Sittipon Srimoontree on pole position. But it was ‘guest rider’ Hiroki Nakamura who stole the spotlight. Nakamura started the race from pitlane after he wrote an appeal letter to the Race Direction in order to be allowed to participate in the event. Nakamura clocked the fastest lap during qualifying but was forced to pull out because his partner Hafiz Nor Azman was unable to race due to injuries. The permission to race was given, on the condition that Nakamura would receive no points. In spite of the handicap, Nakamura showed tremendous spirit by leading the race for the better part of 80 minutes before finally retiring to the pit. When Nakamura pitted, the spotlight fell on bike number 117 whose consistency brought them to the front of the group. Singapore’s Azhar Mohd Noor and Vietnam’s Bui Duy Thong became the first riders from their respective countries to win a race at the Asian level when they completed the 2-hour race in 41 laps. Australian rider Broc Pearson and his Indonesian partner Mohd Febriansyah finished second with 40 laps clocked at 2:01’27.266 and India’s Hari Krishnan and Zhou Sheng Jun Jie of China took third place with 40 laps clocked at 2:01’27.830s.

SIX-NATION PODIUM IN THE ASIA DREAM CUP Read More »