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ROUGH AND TOUGH DEAL

2024, 2024 Round 1, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

The distinguishing sound of the Super Sports 600cc machine will be heard once again on the vast space of the Chang International Circuit this weekend during the season opener of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Even more exciting is the entry list for the season which will complement the roar of the engines. If last season, Apiwath Wongthananon was seen making strokes in favour of his teammate, Soichiro Minamimoto in locking the championship deal, this year, he will be filling in the vacant spot as the latter graduates into ASB1000 race category. It was a brilliant move by the team, placing Apiwath as a wildcard rider in the grand finale considering his recognizable capacities in conquering the machine and his home-ground circuit. Apiwath may have missed the full-season but what he brought to the table was worthy of an applause. This year, he is full-on to take lead in the narratives of the SS600 race category. It is not an easy feat though with rivals waiting to prey at just about every inch. Striding alongside him would be Pilipino rider, McKinley Kyle Paz. Commenting on the season, Apiwath said, “I am extremely excited to be back in ARRC for a full season. This definitely feels like home to me. Although I am fully aware that this season will be filled with a different kind of challenge for me, I am determined to strike it in the best possible way and make the most of my time here this season. Everyone wants to win for sure so, it is going to be a pretty tight fight. For sure, I have to be very careful. I can’t afford to be careless because these players watch like a hawk for their moment of opportunity. Having onboard with Kyle Paz would be something new as I have not worked with him but I am certainly looking forward to it. It all looks good with the machine and as far as I know, there has not been much changes to it from the last season. We will still use the original specs and test further during the pre-season test. The upside to the season opener would be my home-ground for sure. Chang has always been my favourite racing ground. Having said that, I would still have to practice hard and be more detailed oriented during the race week. Also, I have to constantly remind myself that Chang is also a favourite to many seasoned riders which means, it’s a one up for them too. My overall aim is nothing less than to be a champion.” Of course, with one of the main contenders, Khairul Idham Pawi off to a different play-ground, it would probably be much easier for Apiwath to make his mark. However, it would be presumptuous to claim that it would be touch and go for him with the remaining duo of Boon Siew, Helmi Azman and Azroy Hakeem still on the scene. The dynamic duo has proven their dexterity last season in the midst of the highs and lows. They definitely seemed poised aboard their machines and were bold in their moves in injecting the right amount of pressure on their counterparts. The synergy between the two buddies is exactly what is needed for a more competitive stride in the race category. Commenting on the coming race, Helmi said, “Last year, I was already there, maintaining top three throughout the championship but unfortunately, in the last round at Chang, I struggled with the machine and couldn’t make it with a better result. This season, it is definitely going to be more challenging because there will be many experienced riders as well as new comers. It is pretty clear that Apiwath would be a strong contender as he already gained a different kind of experience at WSSP. Also, he has been in the ASB1000 race category so it would surely be an uphill battle. Machine wise, there has been some improvement compared to last season and the team is working really hard to ensure that the details we struggled with last season are rectified. At Chang, my favourite part would be turn four, there is a fast corner which is crucial in making a good lap time. In terms of preparation, I am focused on building up my physique through bicycle rides. It improves my overall stamina and gives me the advantage of handling the machine better. Personally, SS600 is an interesting race category and what I love most is speed and the weight of the machine which gives a better slide when the throttle is maximised. That feeling is the best for me!” As for Azroy, he said, “Last year has been quite a bitter-sweet experience for me. Somehow, while I did my best and I am sure that I was great with the machine, luck was just not on my side. Therefore, this season is all about redemption. I am in a better space, mentally and emotionally and I am prepared to do better than last season. Keeping my fingers crossed, that luck will be on my side too! As for the rider line-up, it is hard to say who will be my closest contenders. We have quite a strong bunch of them riding this season so we have to wait and see how it goes. In terms of the machine, nothing much has been changes. We will still be using the same machine, like last season. It is all about warming up and getting into the right mindset for now. The Chang circuit is one of the hardest circuits for me to be frank. It is quite hard for me to maximise my speed on each lap. There is also a tricky corner in the second sector which I would need to familiarise and practice on more. At the moment, I focus on my fitness training every single day. It is an important aspect in racing to maintain our physique. The exciting thing about SS600 is that

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BIGGER IMPACT IN AP250!

2024, 2024 Round 1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The feisty appearance of the Asia Production 250cc machines will once again be seen on the grounds of Chang International Circuit this weekend for the season opener of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The entry line-up is just about everything that ups the ante in the race category. On for another season of competition and exhilaration is Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM who was close to sealing the deal as champion last season. However, bowing defeat to Rheza Danica is all he needed to be back with a renewed aspiration and this time around, it’s nothing but tripled-effort to take the crown. It was a tough game and standing out among his equally competitive teammates was not as easy at it seemed, however Herjun settled for 1st runner up after taking four wins including a hat-trick. Accompanying him on the team’s strategic plan this season is 14-year-old Kiandra Ramadhipa who made a one-time appearance last year filling in for Veda Ega on his home- ground circuit, Mandalika. Together, the team seems all set for the race this weekend. Commenting on the season, Herjun said, “Last season was a great experience for me although it was a stiff battle between my own teammate. This season however, it is all about making it to the top spot on the podium. I want to be the Asian Champion for the season, no doubt! As usual, my preparations include activities like physical training and bike practices. I have to work on my riding techniques so that I don’t lose touch. With the machine, I am aware that the power is slightly decreased compared to last season which means I would have to be more aggressive to take chances. With the new regulations being implemented, I think that there will be many good opportunities for an enhanced performance. On my part, I need to be more consistent and focused in achieving my goals. Chang circuit is an interesting one as it keeps the riders going on a good fight from the very first lap to the last one. Of course, there is also one tricky corner at the circuit’s tail end. It’s all about one round at a time though and my aim for the coming round is to quickly adapt with the regulations. I believe my team is also well prepared in helping me achieve my dream for the season.” Kiandra on the other hand said, “This year is going to be a lot more different for me but I am excited to be a part of the ARRC community. It will be the platform that changes the direction of my riding career and I am quite positive that it will have a big impact on it. I had the opportunity to have a feel of what it would be like riding in ARRC, specifically in the AP250 race category last season when I came in as a replacement for Veda. Although it was only for a round, I somehow have a rough idea in terms of the strategies and rhythm. Of course, there will also be a lot of learning on the go and the plus would be my teammate who has had way more experience and is also superb in what he does. I just have to learn from him and get the fastest time as possible in a short period of time. Overall, I think I am quite ready to race and most importantly is to have the right mindset on the circuit ground. Part of my preparation includes maintaining my physical fitness and picking up on riding techniques on the bike. For sure I will utilise my experience from last season in TTC Racing as best as possible for make the most out of ARRC.” If last year was not his year to celebrate among the top five riders, this year may just be the year for Aiki Iyoshi of Motul Sniper Manual Tech team. The Japanese rider lost his chance when he was trumped by lady rider Muklada Sarapuech. But that is not going to dampen his esteems as he prepares himself for another season of uphill battle. Aiki may have concluded last season with only one shot on the podium however rewinding to his past performances, traces of unpredictable tricks can be tracked in his moves which gives us a hint that he has what it takes to make, only with a little more push. Perhaps, his new teammate Diandra Trihardika may just be the boost he needs to up his game. Aiki commented, “Last year was really tough for me. I was fully aware that there were huge gaps between myself and the riders ahead of me. It was quite competitive and I could not keep up. This season, I am hoping that it would be different, more so with some changes to the machine. We will be riding aboard a 250cc 4-cylinder. Of course, it is not just about the machine but all in, it is also my ability to strike where possible. I will definitely try and do my best to take advantage of the situation where it permits. So far, I haven’t met my teammate so I am not sure what it would be like however, I believe we are on the same page. Therefore, it is all about progressively improving and helping each other out. Chang circuit is one of my favourites but I think the biggest challenge is from the second half section to the final corner. So, that’s where I have to work on. It is all about winning and that’s where it begins for me!” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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UNPREDICTABILITY, BEAUTY OF UB150

2024, 2024 Round 1, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

The Underbone 150cc race category is about to heat up the asphalt of Chang International Circuit once again this weekend in the season opener of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The best of Asian are geared up once again for a wild ride in a bid to supersede the challenges that awaits them. The Chang circuit may not have been very friendly to Md Nazirul Izzat Bahauddin of UMA Racing YAMAHA Maju Motor Asia Team who seemed to have struggled in the season opener and finale last season. However, the defending champion seemed to have warmed up on other circuit grounds where he swiped five podiums including three celebratory victories throughout the season, instantly placing him on top of the charts. Needless to say, that was one heck of a trick up the sleeve that made his presence in the race category noteworthy. Having said that though, Nazirul definitely has certain limitations which requires more attention, in addition to the underbone race category being highly competitive. Nevertheless, his performances and experiences add on to his advantage and this season, it is all about perfecting his flaws. Commenting on the season, Nazirul said, “It is not easy to be the defending champion, frankly speaking. Therefore, more than thinking about defending the championship, I am more focused towards the machine and the race. If you ask me, there is not much difference in the competition last season because everyone is of the same level of competence. What is more important would be having the right strategies in mind, working towards it and to making sure that I do better than before. Of course, I would not say that my strategies will work out 100% but I will try my best. We can’t say much about the settings or the changes to the machine as we still have to do testing at Chang circuit this week. Only once we have identified that we will have better clarity. Last season, I did not do very much at Chang circuit so I would like to make sure that this time around, I would have a better chance at the podium there. My goal is to of course to make it to the podium and bag the championship once again however, it is not just dexterity but also luck at the end of the day. So, keeping my fingers crossed!” 2nd runner up, Murobbil Vittoni of LFN H. Putra 969 Indonesia Racing Team was equally striking as he went on to take the podium thrice throughout the season including one win. It was a tough fight for Murobbil considering the troop of highly energised riders grabbing their chances where possible while racing towards one goal however, in the midst of the chaos, he made a sweet deal for himself at the finale. Teaming up with him this season are Fahmi Basam who made it at the thirteenth spot last year and Felix Putra Mulya who together will work towards raising the standards of the team. Murobbil said, “For this season, by God’s grace, I will try my best to fight from the front troop and hopefully make it to the top spot on the podium. Over last season, I have learnt that I have to maintain my speed and momentum among the front troop as it would provide a better space for me to move ahead at the right time. In my opinion, the Chang circuit is one of the best and most riders are quite well-versed with the layout. My personal favourite would be turn 9 and although rivalry is at its peak there, it helps me make the move I need to get ahead. The final turn is usually the toughest and this is where I have to work on a strategy to enhance my riding techniques there. Last season, I was quite optimistic with my performances as I have put in a lot of hard work. I work through my limitations and mistakes round by round. The team has been very helpful and has supported me throughout. We work in a positive manner and cooperate in the best way we could. To me, everyone in UB150 is a threat to me as they are all equal in terms of competency however my target for Round 1 is to maximise my capacities and try my best to collect points.” Gupita Kresna Wardhana of 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team was close to making it in the top three list last season unfortunately, it was not his moment to celebrate. He raced to the chequered flag third, three times last season, a triple-ripple that landed him fourth in the overall spot. The Indonesian rider has certainly spared himself some justice after the long-exhausting season however, the ride has not ended yet for him. Another season of play is about the begin and as much as Gupita flexes his muscles this time around, the underbone race category is at the end of the day a game of mastery and fortune. Gupita said, “Last season was a tough one for me even more so the last round where I had to fight the battle on my own without a teammate. This season, I am much more prepared mentally and I plan to improve further by refining my race strategies. I also need to be more focused and adapt quickly to this year’s race machine. I enjoy racing at Chang circuit. The advantage would probably be familiarity of the turns which I quite am at Chang. The disadvantage would probably the same as the other riders, what I know, they may not and vice versa. So, it is hard to tell. Everyone performed very well last season and I am pretty sure that this year will be another competitive one. Our technical team has been continuously researching and developing the machine especially off-season and with the new engine, I hope that it would benefit me in terms of the forms and functions of the machine. Apart

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TVS ASIA, RAISING THE BARS

2024, 2024 Round 1, Latest News, TVS Asia One Make /

Marking its third year in the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, the notable TVS Asia One Make Championship will once again adorn the paddock with the livery of blue, white and red alongside its noteworthy players for another season of competence and competition. Standing tall in the art of mastery within the race category was Hiroki Ono of Japan who made his entry from round three onwards. The Japanese lad got himself the DNF status in Race 2 but that was all the defeat needed before he went with blazing guns to conquer the race category in the remaining rounds. He ended the season on the second spot after scoring a flat 25-point in seven races. With such a strong positioning last season, Hiroki certainly is a threat to the many well-established riders however it is a game yet to unveil. Commenting on the season, Hiroki said, “This year will be my first full-season participation and of course, whatever said and done, the goal remains the same which is to win the championship for this season. Part of my preparation, apart from the usual training and routine is to get a hair-cut before race week. I think the races would be highly competitive but I don’t know the riders yet. All I know is that TVS has many great riders every season. I definitely hope to gain more experience this season alongside bagging the most points. So far, I have excelled well in the race category and I have to maintain that kind of achievements. I like Chang circuit and there is of course the technical part of it in the second half section which makes it quite an interesting circuit. The great part about racing in the one-make series is that it is done on an equal ground which I think is important and necessary in the improvement of riders’ skills.” Despite the scorching heat from his countrymen, Malaysian rider, Md Muzakkir survived the burn and emerged champion in his debut season after finishing podium six times including one win on his home- ground. Muzakkir and Ramdan may share many things in common however their distinguishing riding techniques is what makes up for a lasting impression. Unfortunately, while Ramdan may have claimed more victories last season, his double DNF status at Chang was the gate to Muzakkir’s gold mine. At the finale, Muzakkir trumped the troop of TVS Asia when he went on to mark his territory after a fiery battle his lead contender. Muzakkir said, “Just like last year, body weight is always an important thing in racing especially in this lightweight category so I focus on my diet this time around. I want to be in shape and fit so that I can maximise speed and manage the machine better. This year, I foresee more challenges than last season. Looking at the rider line-up, this year we will be racing with some pretty strong riders and I have a feeling that we will see Indian rider on the podium. They have really good preparation for this season. Of course, Hiroki, Ramdan and Vorapong will be there to continue injecting the pressure. Some of them are in their third year while some of us as in second year. They are also fast and experienced. TVS R&D crew and all staff really know how to build a racing bike. They take a listen to every detail and feedback from the rider and always give the riders the best machine each round. As a defending champion, of course, I want to win but realistically, taking the top three positions would already be good enough for me. Most importantly, I want to be competitive in each race. Buriram is like my second home, I like the environment and the circuit has always be an awesome playground with a dramatic effect.” Vorapong on the other hand had a colourful start when he took a double win on his home-ground however, as the competition became stiffer progressively throughout the season and as the riders gained their momentum, he began to face his own fair share of struggles. In Round 5 particularly, he went on a down spiral with a DNF status in race 1 before scraping 4-points in race 2. Nevertheless, Vorapong determined to take the overall stage quickly bounced back up on his home-ground circuit where he went on to cash in a triple third. Commenting on the season, Vorapong said, “Last year, so many dramas for me. I had a wonderful feeling in Round 1 and Round 2 but Japan and China were disastrous for me. I lost the championship because of that. This year, it is all about making a comeback. Chang circuit is home for me. I have an added advantage in sector two and three. So, I am feeling good for Round 1. Nevertheless, the line-up is quite intimidating especially with top three riders who were really strong. Also, this year we have Sarthak from India who will be joining us for the season. All I know is that I have to work very hard and I have been especially doing training in the programme with the AVRP racing riders, running, cycling and motocross. Of course, I also have to be mentally prepared and am doing my best to make sure that I am all set for the coming race. TVS Team has made many huge improvements in the TVS Apache RR310 since 2019 and I hope that I can come back stronger this time around for the championship title.” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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YAMAHA PHILIPPINES RACING TEAM UNVEILED FOR 2024 SEASON

2024, Latest News /

Yamaha Motor Philippines introduced the lineup for their racing teams that will compete in the 2024 season. The event was named Champions Rising: Racing Beyond Limits. A showcase of Yamaha’s ongoing process of cultivating its riders with a simple and precise goal. Win it all and continue to elevate motorsports in the Philippines. Of course, it won’t come without challenges. That is why this season the company has upgraded its racing program to further develop its riders and machines to compete at the highest level.  The Philippine racing team is grouped into two, Circuit and Off-Road. Bannering the Circuit Racing Team is McKinley Kyle Paz who is coming off a three-year stint in the FIM JRGP European Championship. ‘The Wonderboy’ returns to the Asia Road Racing Championship wherein he was 2019 UB150 Champion. This time around he will be seeking to claim the championship in the SS600 category.  He will be armed with the knowledge and abilities that he earned in his time away from the region. He will be racing under the Yamaha Tekhne ASEAN Team. Seeking to bring back the UB150 title to Filipino hands are “Rocketboy” April King Mascardo and “The Flash” Gian Carlo Mauricio. The duo is entering their third year of competition in the category. They will continue to race for UMA MMR Yamaha Philippine Racing Team. During his first year, Mascardo earned third overall. Finishing at the top has since escaped both riders but they have elevated their degree of preparation and are poised for retribution. Yamaha also announced its partnership with TWMR (Two Wheels Motor Racing) the official race promoters and rights holders of the ARRC. Their agreement will allow the streaming of the SS600 and UB150 categories to be streamed live on the Yamaha Philippines Facebook page. Bornok Mangosong is known as “The Lion” and has recently achieves the rare Triple Crown feat by being named the Rider of the Year for three straight years. Arguably the best Filipino Off-Road rider, he will continue to establish his dominance in the country and represent it overseas. Together with him is ‘The Princess of Philippine Motocross” Pia Gabriel. Regarded as the top female rider in the country. A two-time Female Rider of the Year herself on the verge of claiming a third for her own triple crown, this young lady isn’t satisfied with her achievements and is raring for more. As an icon for female riders, she is well aware that her victories don’t only bring glory but is an inspiration for those who aspire for greatness. The current lineup of the Yamaha Philippines Racing Team will soon be adding more riders to their roster in years to come because the future generation may be arriving sooner rather than later. Moy Reyes, Zain Kaizzer Doblada, and Mytchell Joshua Ngo who are barely in their teens have qualified to be part of the R3 bLU cRU Asia-Pacific Championship. With only limited slots available for competing nations, it’s remarkable that all three riders were selected. They are all vying to win the regional tournament to qualify for the world championship in 2025. Yamaha also introduced it Satellite Teams. The 4S1M Yamaha Evo Racing Team has “The Hitman” J.E. Inguito at the helm. He will also be competing in the UB150 category of the ARRC. The SEC Yamaha Racing Team has JD Purino, Andrei Reyes, and Bethany Tolentino who will continue their foothold on national competitions. It was an atmosphere of excitement that filled the event because of the story of Yamaha Racing in the Philippines. It was a vision of developing local racers and giving them an avenue and the opportunity of a lifetime to become champions. Yamaha continues to cultivate racing passion which started from a humble grassroots program to national and global campaigns. And at the heart of that racing story is the Yamaha Riders. All have experienced shortcomings and defeat to triumph and glory. Through all these adversities and victories is how they are molded into Yamaha Champions. The greatest races of Yamaha are yet to come. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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TVS RACING SET FOR ARRC SEASON 2024

2024, Latest News, TVS Asia One Make /

TVS Asia One Make Championship (OMC) under TVS Racing will mark its presence for the third consecutive year at the upcoming Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). Once again, the one-make series will see the inclusion of a multi-region rider participation in its bid to showcase excellence within the motorsports industry. Replicating its domestic record, and continuing its international success after the first-ever TVS Asia One Make Championship (OMC) in 2022, TVS Racing is back with the third edition of the championship with more vigour and determination to create new records. Following its sheer dominance in domestic two-wheeler racing, TVS Racing is now geared up to host this flagship racing event this year alongside the FIM Asia (ARRC). Backed by four decades of racing pedigree, previous year’s championship demonstrated the product prowess of TVS Motor’s flagship motorcycle – TVS Apache RR 310 as it created a milestone for TVS Racing, setting a new top speed record of 215.9 kmph in its class at Chang International Circuit, Thailand. With a rich history and undisputed leadership in two- wheeler motorsports, TVS Racing has been instrumental in flourishing the racing performance culture and engineering the TVS Apache series through the company’s “Track to Road” philosophy. The season opener of the racing series scheduled to be held at Chang International Circuit, will be entertained by representatives from nine countries including new entries from Germany and Korea. Top three achievers, Md Muzakkir Mohamed of Malaysia, Hiroki Ono of Japan and Vorapong Malahuan of Thailand will be back once again for a full-season alongside selected riders from India and Indonesia as well as six newcomers for the season in the race category. The rider line-up will consist of fifteen riders in total. Commenting on the championship, Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium at TVS Motor Company said, “Celebrating our third year at the Idemitsu FIM ARRC alongside TVS Asia OMC marks a significant milestone for TVS Racing. It’s a testament to our enduring dedication to motorsport, excellence and innovation. Our continued participation underscores our commitment to pushing the limits of engineering and performance, while also providing an exciting platform for our riders to showcase their skills on the international stage. The data obtained during the races are pertinent in gauging the impact of our product modification and showcasing our strengths and transformations. As we embark on another thrilling season, we are eagerly excited by the opportunity to continue our legacy of success and to bring the thrill of racing to fans around the world. We look forward to another exciting year of competition, camaraderie, and, most importantly, the relentless pursuit of victory, and wish our racers luck for this season.” Ron Hogg, Promotions Director of Two Wheels Motor Racing said, “TVS Asia OMC has been instrumental in the expansion of ARRC and since their debut in 2022, we have garnered vast support and recognition from our fanbase and motorsports community which has impacted the championship positively. This year, we are proud to mark the entries of two additional countries in the one-make series which I believe would also serve to broaden our brand proposition and incite new interests in the future. As we move forward, our goal remains the same which is to ensure our reach to a wider demography while alleviating the standards of Asian motorsports.” The riders of TVS Asia would also experience a new safety feature this season – the Alpinestars air-bag system, equipped in their racing suit this year. The air-bag is expected to further accentuate the safety functions while enhancing confidence among its riders for better performance. The Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will commence with Round 1 on 15th March 2024 with no changes to its racing format. The season will move forward with six rounds for year 2024. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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INDIANOIL, OFFICIAL FUEL PARTNER FOR ARRC

2024, Latest News /

India’s energy major IndianOil, is thrilled to announce the partnership with Two Wheels Motor Racing as the “Official Fuel Partner” for the prestigious FIM (Federation Internationale De Motocyclisme) Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) over a span of three years, from 2024 to 2026. Founded in 1964, the oil corporation owned by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India is the largest government-owned oil producer by capacity and revenue. The corporation is listed in the Fortune 500 list of world’s largest corporations as of 2023. The partnership will implement the agreement between TWMR and IndianOil from 2024 to 2026. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman IndianOil said “As we embark on this exhilarating partnership with TWMR for the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, IndianOil is proud to fuel the fast lanes of motorsport with our cutting-edge ‘STORM-Ultimate Racing Fuel’. The fuel stands as a symbol of innovation and excellence, embodying our relentless pursuit of developing specialised fuels that meet stringent international standards. This collaboration marks a significant step in strengthening the ‘Make in India’ initiative on the global stage.” Ron Hogg, Promotions Director of TWMR said, “The partnership with IndianOil, one of the largest oil corporations in the region and globally is a huge milestone in the motorsports industry. The championship which places emphasis on production motorcycles has been a fundamental platform for many Asian and international manufacturing brands in displaying the capacities of their products, even more so with Asian being the biggest market for end-users. With IndianOil marking their presence in ARRC for the next three seasons, we foresee greater expansion in terms of projected volume and return on investment for all our partners who are directly and indirectly involved in the championship. The strategic investment, I believe would go a long way in serving the needs and demands of the industry and the community while also helping us achieve our long-term goals especially in extending our brand presence to a broader demography.” Round 1 of ARRC will commence on 15th March 2024 at Chang International Circuit and will see through a six-round championship calendar in five different countries within the Asian region including China, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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FIM ASIA ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

2024, Latest News /

The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) is pleased to announce the ARRC Championship Calendar for Season 2024. The season will commence in the month of March with 6 rounds throughout. Commenting on the championship, Promotions Director of Two Wheels Motor Racing, Ron Hogg said, “One of ARRC’s aspirations is making new connections which would enhance our visibility among the Asian communities. While it is also one of the biggest challenges due to various reasons, we were happy to note that we found possibilities in Season 2023 that added value to our fellow ARRC community. I hope that the exposure and experience have enriched riders and teams in ways that would go a long way in alleviating the standards of the championship. I would also like to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” to all our partners, sponsors, teams and riders for their endless support in realising the goals of ARRC. “Congratulations” to all those who have been exemplary in their professional endeavours. FIM Asia Road Racing Championship Season 2023 would not have been possible without you!” “Every year is a learning curve for us and we aim to continuously move in tandem with the evolution in motorsports. With the traction gained over this season, we are quite positive with the outlook for Season 2024. As and when needed, we will embrace change progressively to ensure that we are on par with global standards. We are on the right track at the moment and we will continue with our initiatives to present more opportunities for the ARRC community to thrive competitively. We are happy to confirm one of our racing destinations at Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan next year and hope that it would add on to the much-needed challenge for our teams and riders. So, stay tuned as we head towards a more exciting phase! FIM Asia President, Stephan Carapiet said, “Season 2023 was undoubtedly bittersweet but we embraced it together as a community and achieved yet another milestone. Organising a championship is never an easy task but what makes it less of a hassle is the collective contribution and cooperation from all members. With the ARRC community, that has never been an issue and for that, “Thank You” to everyone who has been nothing but supportive of the ARRC dreams. From five rounds in 2022 to a 6-Round championship, we made swift transition after the big pandemic hit and that’s more than just satisfactory. Well done!” “Moving forward, we hope for a much smoother road ahead. What we have learnt this season will inevitably be a guide to everyone for the coming season. Six rounds have been scheduled for the coming year and while we return to our familiar circuits, we nevertheless will be back with different motivation, different level of competence and different goals. As for FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, the hope is to go on discovering new hidden talents while motivating existing teams and riders to continue expanding their wings for a much greater passion-driven success. With that, we are pleased to announce the Championship Calendar for Season 2024!”Season 2024 Championship Calendar as follows: Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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MARKUS, CHAMPION!

2023, 2023 Round 6, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

The Asia Superbike 1000cc of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship went on its showdown, as the curtains closed today in Race 2, Round 6 at Chang International Circuit. Celebrating the victory today was Markus Reiterberger of ONEXOX BWM TKKR Team. Yesterday’s race came with an unexpected twist on the last lap. It was a usual ride with Markus taking lead and teammate, Azlan and duo of Honda Asia-Dream trailing closely behind. As Azlan lost his pace over the laps, Andi and Zaqhwan moved to the top three positions in a bid to maximise their points. Markus was gliding with no pressure ahead of the duo but coming in as a shocker for him was Andi’ appearance right next to him at the last turn, on the last lap. Throwing Markus off guard, he lost control momentarily, taking him off track limit. Although he regained control swiftly, he succumbed to Andi’s victory. Markus took second while Zaqhwan made it third. In today’s race, Zaqhwan took an immediate slide into P1 at the first turn followed by Andi swiftly before he was overtaken by Markus. As Zaqhwan picked up speed, Markus went on to pressure him. At P3, Azlan trailed his teammate closely. Meanwhile, Andi moved into P4. On lap two, Markus tried to slide from the inside but Zaqhwan was quick to counter-attack. There was no giving up for Markus as he went on make his move. Azlan on the other hand lost his momentum when he made a mistake. Five laps down and Zaqhwan went on leading with Markus chasing in fury, attacking from every nook and corner. Zaqhwan was on fire this time around and brilliantly kept to his racing line in a bid to secure the 1st Runner Up title. Markus did not give up. The battle became intense as the star riders went on to make the most of the race. Andi began picking up when Markus finally took a slide ahead of Zaqhwan. At the last turn of the 10th lap, Andi overtook Zaqhwan from the inside and accelerated further. Zaqhwan tried to catch up. With two more laps to go, the red flag was raised and the curtains closed for the season. Markus completed the race with another win at 16’02:482s. Markus said, “After yesterday’s race result, we were not very happy with the decision but this is racing. Luckily it worked out. The crew made some changes to the machine during warm up and I struggled on the front a lot. In the warm up, it was not good but during the race, it was amazing. But Zaqhwan was really strong today and he kept coming back, competitively. Good job from him. But I finally found a way to overtake him before picking up speed. That worked for me well today. Thanks to the team!” Second place went to Andi Farid Izdihar of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA at 16’03:618s. Teammate, Md Zaqhwan Zaidi made it third at 16’03:721s. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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DOUBLE CELEBRATION FOR YAMAHA GEN BLU!

2023, 2023 Round 6, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

A much-anticipated race category, the SuperSports 600cc was a show-stopper today at the Chang International Circuit as the Japanese and Malaysian rider went all out to make it or break it. But the one who walked away with the bragging rights was Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA GEN BLU Racing Team ASEAN when he won Race 2, Round 6 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. In Race 1 that happened yesterday, pole-man, Soichiro was dominant on the circuit, taking lead from flag off to chequered flag. While his teammate, Apiwath trailed closely behind, it seemed rather conspicuous that it was to keep Khairul Idham at bay. Nevertheless, Khairul went on a solo-mission, keeping himself positioned firmly on the racing line throughout the 12-lap race. Soichiro who has improved significantly over the last few rounds proved his calibre when he crossed the finish line first with Apiwath taking second and Khairul succumbing to third. As soon as the race flagged off, once again, Soichiro took lead with teammate Apiwath right behind him. At P3, Khairul struggled to keep up. By the end of lap 1, Azroy took P3. Into the third lap, Khairul who was in contention of the championship title crashed. His teammate, Azroy however found his way ahead of Apiwath as he went on to chase Soichiro. The Japanese rider was already ahead by 0.9s. Apiwath tried to close the gap with Azroy and he made it but Azroy was fiery as he went on to pressure the Thai rider. With 7 more lap to go, Nakarin made close contact with Azroy, took a shot ahead of him before Azroy slide back ahead of him. By mid-lap, it was almost evident that Soichiro would be the man of the hour as he went on to draw a gap of 2.016s with the Honda rider trailing behind. Apiwath remained protective at P2. The battle continued between Azroy and Nakarin who kept looking for possible ways to strike but Azroy was careful. Nakarin didn’t give up and finally he swiped past Azroy. But of course, the battle did not end just yet. The duo went on to challenge each other. Ahead of them, Apiwath, knowing that it’s a safe bet, finally made his move ahead of Soichiro before both teammates of YAMAHA GEN BLU Racing Team ASEAN raced towards victory with Apiwath, winner of Race 2 at 19’57:324s and Soichiro, Champion of SS600 race category, Season 2023 at 19’58:553s. Commenting on the race, Apiwath said, “It was a wonderful and amazing race, today. It was a little difficult for me in the beginning of the race. The engine was not really heated up but lap-by lap, I manged to overtake Azroy and finally made my way up to the top spot. It has been amazing day for us as a team.” Soichiro Minamimoto said, “It is a perfect weekend for me. This season it has been difficult especially in the beginning of the season up until Japan. From Mandalika onwards, there have been many improvements in my performances. I never expected this but I am so happy to have made it. Thanks to Apiwath for being supportive of me. Thank you, Yamaha and all the sponsors who made this a success! Third place went to Azroy Hakeem Anuar of Boon Siew Honda Racing Team at 20’00:216s. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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