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AP250 TITLE FIGHT HEADS TO TIE-BREAKER IN THAILAND

2019, 2019 Round7, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The AP250 title fight will be heading into a tie-breaker at the final round of the ARRC in Thailand with Indonesian riders Andy Muhammad Fadly and Irfan Ardiansyah tied on points at the top of the championship ladder. The start of the 2019 season brought the implementation of the equalizer rule in the AP250 class which made it increasingly difficult for one individual rider to dominate the championship. Even so, Andy Muhammad Fadly and team Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing have expertly navigated the shifting sands at the top of the championship ladder. Fadly was the first to receive the equalizer but even so, the Kawasaki rider had been able to stay nominally in charge up to Round 5. In trying to avoid a second equalizer, Fadly deliberately stayed off the podium in Round 5. This may have been a strategic error. When Astra Honda Racing Team’s Irfan Ardiansyah won Race 1 in Round 6 and subsequently finished P5 in Race 2, the two compatriots tied on points at 176 points apiece. Five of the top eight riders are riding under the equalizer rule. Awhin Sanjaya, Muklada Sarapuech and Aiki Iyoshi have all had 500 rpm cut from their rpm limit. Ironically, a second equalizer, representing a 1000 rpm cut will be applied to the top runners Irfan and Andy in the season finale. In this instance, the battle for thetitle may happen off the podium. Given AP Honda Racing Team’s homeground advantage at the Chang International Circuit, Muklada Sarapuech is expected to be a strong podium contender. However, Muklada’s chances of winning the 2019 title is slim. She will need to win both races and hope that neither Andy nor Irfan pick up any points from the entire weekend. Irfan’s team mate, Awhin Sanjaya will stand a better chance. Should Awhin manage to win both Race 1 and Race 2, the two current championship leaders must finish second to be crowned the 2019 AP250 FIM Asian Champion.

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UNDERBONE 150 TITLE HUNT: A BATTLE OF TEAM MATES

2019, 2019 Round7, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

The battle to become the Asian 2019 Underbone 150 champion is set to ignite at the season finale in Buriram, Thailand. UMA Racing trio, Mohd Akid Aziz and Mohd Haziq Mohd Fairues from the UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team and McKinley Kyle Paz from the UMA Racing Yamaha Philippine Team, are locked in as the front runners of the battle. Underbone podiums have been hard to come by in 2019. Akid has the highest podium haul this season, topping out at four podiums from Malaysia, Thailand, and China. The Malaysian rider also holds the highest number of pole positions and wins. Should he succeed, this will be the second Asian Underbone 150 title for Akid. He last won the title in 2017. Meanwhile, McKinley Kyle Paz is determined to become the first Asian Underbone 150 champion from the Philippines. There is very little to choose from between the two talented youngsters. Both have had their ups-and-downs all season long. For Kyle to return home triumphant, he must ensure that he keeps himself always four points ahead of Akid, a tall order in the ever-unpredictable UB150 race. Mohd Haziq Mohd Fairues, team mate to Akid Aziz, will be the biggest wild card in the Underbone battle. Haziq’s campaign got off to a bad start at the season opener. The 18-year-old had been able to put in better results in the second half of the year when he finally claimed a win at the China round. Away from the top three, Aldi Satya Mahendra’s best chance to steal the title would be to win both races while hoping that Akid, McKinley and Kyle finish off the podium. Mathematically, the top nine riders are still in the hunt for the title. These include Ahmad Fazli Sham, Fernando Masato, Wawan Wello, Wahyu Aji Trilaksana and Peerapong Luiboonpeng.

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TVS STUNS WITH LOW-KEY MALAYSIA SUPERBIKES CHAMPIONSHIP DEBUT

2019, Latest News /

One of India’s largest bike manufacturer, TVS, made a surprise low-key debut in the 2019 Malaysia Superbikes Championship (MSBK). There was little fanfare to accompany this late entry made under the name of Malaysian team, 31 Racing. However, the Indian marquee did not stay low-key for long. Helmed by Thai rider Vorapong Malahuan, the TVS 310RR quickly made its mark on the first day of practice when Vorapong posted the fifth fastest time of the day. The team’s handpicked Indian riders, Jagan Kumar and KY Ahmed were 11th and 26th fastest respectively. The three riders improved further in the qualifier. Vorapong was still fifth fastest but shaved a full second off his fastest time. He lined up on second row with a personal best of ‘2’31.667s. Jagan made it into the top-10 at the qualifier while KY Ahmed went from 26th to 13th quickest. “We really had no idea what to expect in this first race. The team had worked hard on the bike, but our efforts were stymied by bad weather during the testing stage. Each time we booked a track for testing, the skies opened up and we could barely get anything done,” explained TVS’s lead developmental rider, Vorapong. In spite of the handicap, the seasoned Thai campaigner proved to be a fierce competitor for TVS. He scored a double podium on the second day when he finished third in Race 1 and second in Race 2. Could this be a hint of bigger things in store for TVS?

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2020 FIM ASIA ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP PROVISIONAL CALENDAR RELEASED

2020, Latest News /

FIM Asia and Two Wheels Motor Racing Sdn Bhd have jointly released the provisional 2020 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship calendar. Following the transformative year that is 2019, there will be minimal changes to the calendar for the next season. The Asian series will kick off with the seasonHopener at the Sepang International Circuit, followed by five days of solid racing at The Bend Motorsports Park in May. As had been previously announced, the Australian weekend will feature a tripleHheader with the ARRC racing alongside the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) and the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup. Suzuka Circuit will host the third leg of the series in June before the Zhuhai International Circuit takes over for Round 4. The series will then head back to the South East Asian region, with Round 5 to be held at the Chang International Circuit in August, followed by Round 6 in Sepang and the finale again in Buriram at the end of the year. The provisional 2020 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is as follows: Official Test Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia March 2 – 4, 2020 Round 1 Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia March 6 – 8, 2020 Round 2 The Bend Motorsport Park, Australia May 7 – 10, 2020 Round 3 Suzuka Circuit, Japan June 26 – 28, 2020 Round 4 Zhuhai International Circuit, China July 24 – 26, 2020 Round 5 Chang International Circuit, Thailand August 21 – 23, 2020 Round 6 Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia September 25 – 27, 2020 Round 7 Chang International Circuit, Thailand November 27 – 29, 2020

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HAZE OR SHINE, AZLAN PICKS UP THE DOUBLE IN SEPANG

2019, 2019 Round6, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

From the extreme heat at the Zhuhai International Circuit in August, to the extreme haze at the Sepang International Circuit in September, Malaysian rider Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman proved that he had what it takes to rise above the elements as he became the only rider form Round 6 to take home the double win. Azlan’s second race of the weekend got off to a conservative start when he paced in fourth on Lap 1 behind Thitipong Warokorn, Apiwat Wongthananon and championship leader Broc Parkes. The Malaysian rider was jolted out of his complacency when wildcard Federico Sandi made an overtaking attempt on Azlan on Lap 5. Fighting spirit triggered, Azlan went on a rampage on Lap 6 when he overtook Federico, Broc and Apiwat all in one lap. On Lap 7, Azlan snatched the reins from Thitipong to take full control of the race pace. Azlan’s familiarity with the Sepang International Circuit became a big advantage as he set the fastest lap of the race, 2’06.626s in the final lap. Azlan added a fifth win to his name with 23’29.755s. 1.255 seconds behind, Thitipong managed P2 with 23’31.010s and Apiwat Wongthananon finished third for the fourth time this year with 23’31.465s. The ASB1000 Race 2 podium saw an interesting mix of manufacturers with Azlan on the BMW, Thitipong with Kawasaki and Apiwat Wongthananon representing Yamaha.

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8 WINS IN A SEASON. PEERAPONG EQUALS FUJIWARA’S 2011 RECORD

2019, 2019 Round6, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Even with the 2019 FIM Asian SuperSports 600cc title firmly in hand, there was no slacking off for Yamaha Thailand Racing Team’s Peerapong Boonlert. Just a day after lifting the 600cc crown, Peerapong was back in dominating form as he clinched his eighth win of the season with 21’50.449s Race 2 flagged off with poleman Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin in the lead. But Peerapong quickly showed that he was not about to sit back and relax. Kasma lost the lead to Peerapong within a lap and came under pressure from Mohd Ramdan Rosli. As Lap 4 came around, the three riders quickly settled into race formation. The battle between Ahmad Afif Amran, Rheza Danica Ahrens and Passawit Thitivararak for P7 was the highlight until the final lap. Kasma finally made his move on Peerapong on Lap 9, but had left it too late even though he was able to close in on his Thai rival. The two Yamaha riders were neck-to-neck down the back straight but a smart bit of racing from Peerapong saw the Thai rider diving into the last corner first, held his line and pipped Kasma to the finish line by 0.032s. Peerapong’s latest feat also earned him bragging rights for the highest number of wins in a season, equaling the record set by Katsuaki Fujiwara in 2011 when the Japanese ace rider won the 600cc title. Should Peerapong pick up more wins in the final round, he will set a new record for the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Kasma confirmed his second overall position on the 600cc standings when he finished second in the race with 21’50.481s. Ramdan Rosli nabbed another podium in third place with 21’50.925s.

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FADLY BITES THE BULLET

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Andy Muhammad Fadly got himself back into the title lead in style with a spectacular return to the podium in Race 2. The Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing rider had deliberately toned down his performance in the past two rounds, all in an effort to avoid picking up a second equalizer. However, come Race 2 in Round 6, Fadly had obviously decided that he had had enough of tiptoeing around the equalizer rule. Fadly came back with his guns blazing when he streaked into the holeshot to take the early lead ahead of polesitter Muklada Sarapuech. Together, the two riders swapped leads for the majority of the race while Rey Ratukore (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team), Awhin Sanjaya and Lucky Hendriansya formed the main thrust of the 8-bike leading group. Muklada gained an advantage on Laps 6 and 7, but found herself caught up by the chasing pack as they stormed down the back straight. A final tricky last corner to negotiate and Muklada caught herself out when she locked her front wheel and highsided mere meters from the finish line. Awhin Sanjaya jumped into the front and swooped up his second win of the season with 19’43.339s. Andy Muhammad Fadly took second place with 19’43.387s and Rey Ratukore third with 19’43.545s. Fadly’s sixth podium of the year has put him back in the championship lead alongside Irfan Ardiansyah. Both riders are tied at the top with 176 points apiece. Irfan, the first among the AP250 riders to carry the second equalizer, finished fifth in race.

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HAZIQ PUTS IN HIS CLAIM FOR THE UB150 TITLE HUNT

2019, 2019 Round6, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Mohd Haziq Fairues has put his bid in for the 2019 Underbone 150cc Asian champion when he scored his first win of the season at Round 6 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Sepang International Circuit. Race 2 for the Underbone 150cc class got off with poleman Akid Aziz serving out a controversial ride-through penalty for irresponsible riding in Race 1 on Saturday. In a 6-lap race with 35 bikes on the grid, the penalty effectively put Akid out of podium contention for Race 2. The UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team rider elected to serve out the penalty on Lap 1, giving himself more time to catch up and collect as many points as possible. At the front, Fernando Masato led the pack into the first lap even as Akid rejoined the group in P32. On Lap 2, Mohd Faiz Zekri from the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team pushed his way to the front, with Mohd Izzat Zaidi, Affendi Rosli, Aldi Satya Mahendra, and Haziq Fairues in tow. A number of retirements brought championship leader Akid closer to the front group. Notably, Mohammad Murobbil Vitoni crashed out on Lap 3 followed rapidly by Wawan Wello sputtering to the side of the grid. On Lap 4, both championship leaders Akid Aziz and McKinley Kyle Paz were still out of points contention even though a determined Akid put in the fastest lap of the race, 2’31.525s. More crashes at the last corner allowed Haziq Fairues a bit of breathing space at the sharp end of the group. As he came into the final two corners of the race, Haziq was able to carve out a small lead at the front, enough space to keep the horde from his back. Haziq crossed the finish line uncontested in first place with 15’36.361s. It was a day of many firsts for the riders celebrating on the podium – Haziq’s first win of the season, and Faiz Zekri’s first UB150 podium when he finished second with 15’36.728s. Aldi Satya Mahendra finished third with 15’37.608s. Further down the grid, championship leaders Akid and McKinley crossed the finish line in 13th and 10th places respectively. The two riders netted enough points to stay at the front of the title chase. Akid still leads with 119 points while Kyle stays in second overall with 111 points.

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AZLAN WINS RACE 1 WHILE BROC CLOSES IN ON THE TITLE

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Malaysian rider Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman successfully converted homeground advantage into his fourth ASB1000 win of the season at Race 1 in Round 6 of the 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Sepang International Circuit. Azlan started the race from second on the grid, sandwiched between poleman and championship leader Broc Parkes and Yamaha Racing Thailand Team’s Apiwat Wongthananon. A conservative start from Azlan saw Apiwat streaking into the holeshot for the early lead even as Broc went from pole to fifth as the lights went out. Wildcard rider Federico Sandi demonstrated the competitive potential of the Ducati Panigale V4 when he muscled his way into the lead on Lap 3. Federico set a punishing pace in the mid-segment of the race but began to lose ground as tyre wear came into play. Azlan easily slipped past the Italian wildcard on Lap 7 and held on to his leading position to take the win with 23’30.254s. Thitipong Warokorn finished second with 23’31.641s followed by Apiwat in third with 23’31.806s. Meanwhile, championship leader Broc Parkes missed out on the podium when he came home in fourth place. The Australian rider representing the Yamaha Racing Team ASEAN is still the leader of the pack with 201 points, but Azlan is now second overall with 168 points. Should Azlan win the three remaining races in the 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship calendar, Broc must finish at least third to become the first Australian to win the Asian title. He cannot afford to miss another podium. Earlier in the race, Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi low-sided out of the title chase on Lap 2. His second DNF of the season has dropped him down from second to third overall with 153 points.

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RAMDAN: I JUST WANTED TO WIN

2019, 2019 Round6, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

The SuperSports 600cc title chase has come to a premature end with Peerapong Boonlert taking the crown at the Sepang International Circuit. The Yamaha Thailand Racing Team rider had been particularly low profile the entire weekend even as a determined Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin dominated the practice and qualifying sessions. Kasma not only set the pace in the first day of practice, but also lodged a new SuperSports 600cc lap record of 2’09.712s in the qualifying session. Team play from the Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia camp was very much in evidence during the 30-minute qualifier. Kasma towed team mate Ahmad Afif Amran around the 5.5km Sepang Circuit, resulting in Afif’s first front row start of the season in P2. Imperious Peerapong was content to start the race from P3. While the front runners hogged the limelight, Mohd Ramdan Rosli had quietly inserted himself in to the second row. A quick start shot the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team rider into the holeshot on Lap 1 but he lost his position to Kasma and Peerapong on Lap 2. Ramdan kept his cool and strategically made his move on the penultimate lap. While Kasma was engrossed with Peerapong, Ramdan slipped past his defenses at the last corner to bag his first win of the season with 21’55.025s. Mohd Ramdan Rosli’s strong desire to win his first SuperSports 600cc race of the season had ended the title chase in the class. Kasma needed to win in order to keep his title hopes alive. When Ramdan relegated his compatriot to second, Peerapong’s third place finish was good enough to seal the deal. “I just wanted to win. I had no interest in helping Kasma nor Peerapong in any way,” said Ramdan after the race. Peerapong now holds 239 points at the top of the ladder, 76 points in front of Kasma. With only three races to go, Peerapong has been declared as the 2019 Asian SuperSports 600cc champion.

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