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Introducing a fresh face from Korea – Kim Min Jae. Though relatively new to the scene, Min Jae’s journey serves as a testament to his tenacious resolve in the pursuit of excellence. Just a year and a half ago, Kim Min Jae took his first steps into the world of road racing. With a hunger for more competitive experience, he entered the TVS Asia One Make Championship in the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. For Min Jae, it was a bold leap into uncharted territory, but one that would shape his destiny. Reflecting on his experience during his debut in the TVS Asia One Make Championship, Min Jae shared, “My first experience riding the TVS racing bike, the rush of adrenaline, the roar of the engine – it was a feeling like no other. The bike was much more powerful and light, so it was really enjoyable, and everyone was very nice to me too.” Despite facing seasoned competitors in the FIM race, Min Jae embraced the challenge with open arms, resolved to compete with all he had. Driven by the desire to improve, Min Jae set his sights on Spain, a land renowned for its expertise in motorcycle racing. There, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery and skill enhancement, as well as mastering the basics. “Spain had what I needed to sharpen my skills and overcome my weaknesses,” he explained. Training with the Junior Talent Team in Spain, Min Jae immersed himself in a rigorous regimen of practice and preparation. From honing his riding position to perfecting his braking technique, every session brought him closer to his ultimate goal. Despite the physical and emotional challenges of being away from home, Min Jae remained strong-willed in his commitment to his dream. “I miss home a lot, but I need to train. However, I get to stay home for one week after every ARRC round, so it will be okay.” Even in the face of homesickness, Min Jae’s dedication to his training regimen never wavered. Min Jae is acutely aware of the road ahead and fueled by a passion that knows no bounds. He said, “My dream is to become a MotoGP rider. I believe that with each race and each lap, I inch closer to realizing my aspirations.” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

A historic moment for Indian motorsport, when Sarthak Chavan secured his place on the podium at the TVS Asia One Make Championship during Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Held at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, this achievement marked a significant milestone for Sarthak and the Indian racing as a whole. Chavan’s remarkable performance saw him clinch third place in Race 1 and then elevate to second place in Race 2, reinforcing his status as a rising star in the sport. What made his feat even more impressive was that this was only his second competitive outing at the circuit, following his wildcard entry in the final round last year. Sarthak said, “I’m very proud of myself for this achievement, and I feel that all my hard work is helping me to move in the right direction. Also, nothing feels better than bringing glory to your country.” “When I passed the chequered flag, my first thought was – Yes, I did it! It was an exceptional moment because it felt like this is what I have been working hard for. To make my country, my parents and TVS proud was a mind-blowing feeling because all of them have been behind me with rock-solid support.” “The last time when I raced as a wildcard, I lost being on the podium twice. However, this time, I was better prepared and confident about the results that I would grab. Once I finished my free practice sessions and qualifying sessions, I felt happy and encouraged as I finished in the top 3 positions. It gave me an intuition that the podium finish was on the way.” “My target for this year is to make a mark in the IDEMITSU FIM Asian Road Racing Championship. Also, TVS is an Indian manufacturer, which pushes me to work harder because as an Indian, I want to bring more glory to the team. I am looking forward to putting up a good fight against my competitors and winning the Championship this year.” Sarthak shared his thoughts on the potential contenders: “My target is to win the Championship. I know that Hiroki will be a very good contender this season to fight for the championship. I have seen him race. He is very strategic and calm while he rides. Vorapong is a very good rider too. I am quite close to him as we have worked together in India, and I have also raced for his team in Thailand.” “The challenge I am currently facing is tyre management, as we are provided with limited sets. It poses a considerable difficulty, but I am confident that I will learn how to effectively manage it” Sarthak added. Sarthak’s fearless pursuit of his dreams, coupled with his strong will and talent, positions him as a potent presence in the world of motorcycle racing. With his eyes set on the championship title and the unwavering support of his fans, Sarthak’s journey promises to be one filled with excitement and victory. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

In motorsports, it is common to think that being at the peak of physical condition is a prerequisite to excel. But Soichiro Minamimoto, who made waves in the SuperSports 600cc scene, did not do it the conventional way. Last year, Soichiro made headlines when he swept the overall championship in Round 6 of the SuperSports 600cc, IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship despite battling a nasty bout of illness. Yes, you read that right. While most of us would struggle to get out of bed with a fever, Soichiro was out on the track, dominating the competition. “Before arriving at Buriram, I felt bad,” he recalled. “I slept 14 hours but didn’t recover. Then, after finishing Friday’s practice, I felt even worse. I was sick for over a week. Turns out, it was tonsillitis.” But here’s the kicker. Soldiering through the sickness, Soichiro went on to win Race 1 of the round. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, he secured second place in Race 2, cementing his status as the overall champion. His teammate, Apiwath Wongthananon, also played a crucial role making it second in Race 1 and securing victory in Race 2, ultimately leading to their team’s overall triumph. Soichiro added, “I was so exhausted that I couldn’t remember much. But I was fast. When I won the championship, none of us on the team thought we could become champions, so the team only had one championship T-shirt.” Reflecting on his unexpected success while feeling under the weather, Soichiro jokingly said, “I think I race better when I’m not feeling well. Hahaha… But I would not want to go through that again. Health is more important than racing to me.” Fast forward to this season, Soichiro has set his sights on conquering new challenges in the Asia Superbike 1000cc category. Despite facing stiff competition in the opening rounds, Soichiro remains undeterred. “ASB is very exciting because there are a lot of fast and experienced riders. Our rivals are strong,” he remarked. Soichiro added, “We are behind our rivals in terms of top speed. But if we can bring out the strengths of Yamaha, we can be competitive. We’re working on the areas that were lacking in the opening round. I hope we can battle with our rivals.” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

He walked in as a wildcard rider in the TVS Asia One Make Championship of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship between 2022-2023, fought a bold fight in 5 rounds, 10 races and swept a total of 9 podiums equivalent to 8 wins! Hiroki Ono, the Japan born lad, whose name resonates with excellence, left an indelible mark even as a wildcard rider. Hiroki’s performance was nothing short of stellar, solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with on the track. Hiroki’s introduction to the ARRC came in 2022 when he entered as a wildcard rider, seizing every opportunity to showcase his talent on the track. Over the course of five rounds, Hiroki carved nothing short of flying colours, capturing the hearts of fans and rivals alike with his captivating performances. Hiroki’s competency and persistence are undeniable. Yet, despite his remarkable achievements, the elusive overall championship title remained just out of reach, thwarted by the constraints of wildcard entries and the points system. This year, Hiroki embarked on a new chapter in ARRC, committing to a full-season Round 1 at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand was a start for him where he showcased his mettle on the grand stage despite the challenges of a blown engine during Practice 1, that caused him to crash. Hiroki shared, “I had a big crash at Turn 4 due to engine trouble (engine blow) in the middle of the session. It happened so quickly that I had a hard time understanding what had happened. My body was in pain. I was in pain from then until Sunday, but thankfully I did not break any bones, so I kept my determination and fought through.” Even in pain, Hiroki pushed through and continued racing. With each passing session, from Practice 2 to Race 2, Hiroki’s resolve only grew stronger, culminating in excellent performance as he clinched pole position and secured victory in both races. Hiroki affirmed, “This season I am participating fully, so of course, my aim is only, which is to take the championship title. However, Hiroki remains grounded in his appreciation for the competition that surrounds him. “It’s challenging for me. The riders who ranked highly last year are still competing, especially the Asia Talent’s Cup riders who are strong and robust. The new riders are very fast too, so it will be a high-level battle this season.” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The thrill of motorsports transcends speed and dexterity. It encompasses the unpredictable twists that can either make or break a rider’s luck. At the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, Cao Viet Nam of the Honda Racing Vietnam Team experienced a range of emotions in Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in AP250 category. It was a weekend of highs and lows for Viet Nam who in his display of brilliance was overshadowed by the ruthless hand of fate. The stage was set with promising performances in practice sessions, where he showcased his prowess by claiming top positions. However, as the saying goes, it’s not about how you start but how you finish, and Viet Nam’s story took a dramatic turn in the final laps of both races. It was a fantastic start to race 1 for Viet Nam. He took lead and fought a good battle all the way to the final lap. In a bitter twist of fate, he crashed at the final turn, instantly relegating him to an unexpected 11th place finish. Despite that unfortunate incident, he approached Race 2 with determination and went on to dominate the field once again but alas! Once again, when all laps were almost completed, he once again fell into the hands of misfortunate when he crashed at the final turn. Viet Nam said “Round 1 holds a special place in my heart as it reminds me of the many good moments I’ve had there, especially when I rode in the Thailand Talent Cup. Additionally, since my bike and all my equipment are kept in Thailand and cannot be brought back to Vietnam due to the lack of a home circuit, which makes it feels more like a home race to me, almost like my second home.” “During the last turn in Race 1, I anticipated Herjun blocking me from the inside, like in the last race in 2023, so I chose to go outside. However, he unexpectedly also went outside, which allowed Yamaha to clinch P1 and P2. It’s all part of the mind games in racing, so I’ll take it as a learning experience.” “As for Race 2, I tried a different strategy by staying behind and attacking in the last turn. I was confident in my ability to brake deeply, but unfortunately, I fell again.” “I was really sad after Race 2, and I kept questioning myself, “Why?” I’ll review the data again to better understand what went wrong in the last turn. I’m committed to learning from this experience for future races at this circuit.” “I also felt disappointed, especially to my team, my fans in Vietnam, and everyone who supported me. We’ve waited a long time for this moment. However, the championship is still a long way ahead, and this is just the beginning. I know my time will come, especially since I have good speed. I’ll patiently wait for my moment to shine. Though I still feel a bit sad now, I’ll soon move on and start focusing on the next round at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China.” “To me, everyone is equal in the coming races in Zhuhai. This will be our second time racing at the Zhuhai International Circuit. Last year in Zhuhai, I was quite strong and fought for a podium position before encountering a bike problem on the last lap. I’ve faced unlucky situations several times, but I’ll continue to believe and wait for my time to come.” said Viet Nam. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

Mckinley Kyle Paz of YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team ASIA achieved a historic feat by clinching third in Race 2 of the SuperSports 600cc category in Round 1, IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship held at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand. Stunning game. Robust moves. Despite the red flag, Kyle’s determination was not deterred by the slash in the number of laps as he went on to cast the net for a podium finish. The Filipino rider showcased excellent sportsmanship when he battled the final two laps with his closest contender before going on full throttle at the last turn towards a blistering end to the game. Kyle rejoiced in the celebration of being the first ever Philippines rider to make it to the podium in the SS600 race category. This achievement was not only a personal triumph for him but also a significant milestone for Philippines motorcycle racing in the Asian domain. Bold in his moves, Kyle is known for his charisma on track. Aside to this significant achievement, he has also gained numerous accolades in the racing scene. In 2019, Kyle hailed as the Champion of the Underbone 150cc race category in ARRC before embarking on his journey in the highly competitive CEV Moto2 series. Undoubtedly, Kyle is one-of-a-kind, capable of not just adapting but producing remarkable results. Kyle shared his overwhelming emotions, stating, “I couldn’t believe I would make it to the podium considering other riders of great calibre. When I realized that I did it, I felt a burst of joy and tears of happiness knowing that finally, I’m back in the winning circle.” “Before, I’ve only dreamt of representing Philippines in SS600. Being a racer in this category was already a dream come true, but finishing podium, to me it was like an envoy telling everyone that the Filipinos are here. We can fight with the best, not only me but with my co-Filipino racers competing for our flag,” he passionately expressed. Kyle added, “The lessons I’ve learned that really helped me to reach this milestone: First, to have discipline in everything. Second is to stay focused on my goal or what I want to accomplish third is to be dedicated in whatever I do and the lastly, the power of prayers, just like how my fellow Filipinos prayed for me.” “We felt very happy to bring trophies back home, as this battle is for our country. A very big thanks to the people who have taken their time to welcome us with a celebration; they are our fuel to take us to the next battle. They inspire us to win and this is our way of rewarding them in the way we can. They are our pillar of strength and without these people and their endless supports, we couldn’t have made it,” “This achievement is just the beginning. I will push further to achieve greater successes, while at the same time learn from mistakes and minimize it as much as possible. My aim is to bring pride and honor to our country; To show the world that Filipino racers are competitive too,” he affirmed. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

In the world of motorsports, where the stakes are high and ironically the notion of “speed is king” is ambiguous considering its detrimental effect at the slightest error, it is a must for every rider to be reminded of the risks each time they take a step onto the race track. For Passawit Thitivararak, Thai rider of Astemo SI Racing with Thai Honda the dangers became all too real when he crashed at the Sugo International Racing Course last year during the ASB1000 race. But what sets Passawit apart is not the crash itself, instead his journey of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. In Practice 1 of Round 3, IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2023, Passawit’s life changed in an instant when he broke his neck bone and his index finger, He suffered a spinal cord injury which left him numb. The injuries were so severe and with bleeding in his brain vessel, the road to recovery seemed almost impossible. Passawit recalled the struggles vividly, “I spent mornings chatting with my family and by noon, I have forgotten everything.” It took three long months just to begin feeling better, and the journey was far from over.” Despite the physical and emotional toll, Passawit driven by passion refused to wave the white flag in defeat. . He began his racing journey from the age of four and ever since then, racing had been his lifeblood, and even the near-tragic accident couldn’t extinguish the burning desire within him. With the unwavering support of his family, especially his father who cultivated the love for motorsport in him, Passawit embarked on a journey of comeback, beating the odds with each step forward. Four months after the crash, Passawit returned to the track, slowly rebuilding his strength and confidence. But one reminder of the accident lingered – the ability to smell again. Doctors offered a glimmer of hope, a 50/50 chance of recovery within a year, but Passawit remained undeterred. “It’s okay if I cannot smell,” he said, “as long as I can see, taste, and most importantly, can still feel the exhilaration of racing, I am content.” The road to redemption was not without its challenges. The 2024 season opening round brought its own set of obstacles, with front tyre issues causing a few minor crashes that slowed down his comeback. But with steely determination and an unyielding spirit, he pressed on, refusing to let setbacks define him. “I’ll still go for it,” he declared, “Because motorsport is my life.” For Passawit, the podium may seem like a distant dream, but his sights are set on a more achievable goal which is finishing top five for this season. In a field of world-class riders, each race is a testament to his courage and resilience, a reminder that true victory lies not in the accolades, but in the unwavering pursuit of passion and purpose. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com