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AZLAN SHAH IS FIRST ASB1000 WINNER

2019, 2019 Round1, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

Malaysian rider Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman made history when he became the first winner of the inaugural ASB1000 class in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. It was also the 35-year-old’s first outing with new team ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team. Last season, Azlan was racing in the 600cc class with Kawasaki. TheMalaysian rider started the race from second on the grid, sandwiched between pole sitter Thitipong Warokorn and fellow Malaysian Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi in third. Australian Broc Parkes, who had been a formidable competitor all week long, crashed out during the morning qualifying practice. His best qualifying time of 2’06.808s placed him sixth on the grid behind Indonesian Ahmad Yudhistira and Chaiwichit Nisakul. A flying start from Thitipong gave him the holeshot. The Kawasaki Thailand Racing Team rider was able to quickly gain some distance on the chasing Azlan. Behind him, Broc Parkes made a mistake at Turn 1 and dropped further down the group to eighth. The gap between Thitipong and Azlan began to narrow on Lap 7, while at the same time Yamaha Racing Team ASEAN’s Broc Parkes had clawed his way up to third. By then, Broc was 2.7 seconds adrift of the leaders and the remaining four laps looked to be a two-rider race. Thitipong tried to respond to Azlan’s pressure on Lap 9 but seemed to have over-cooked his tyres. Azlan took the lead at the entry of the last corner and immediately opened up a gap on Lap 10. As the chequered flag came down on Lap 11, Azlan became the first official winner of the ASB1000 class with 23’21.172s. Thitipong and Broc maintained their respective positions to join Azlan on the podium. “I tried to overtake Thitipong at the start of the race, but he was racing very hard. So I decided to settle down and wait for the closing laps while keeping my tyres fresh. I knew my chance would come soon when I saw Thitipong sliding all over the place on Lap 5,” said Azlan who dedicated this win to his new team, the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team. Azlan’s Race 1 win could not have come at a better time. All day long throughout the season opener of the 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, the Malaysian riders had missed out on the chance to stand on the top step of the podium in the Underbone 150cc, Asia Production 250cc and SuperSports 600cc categories. The riders will meet again for Race 2 at 1.00pm on Sunday, March 10, 2019. Entry to the Sepang Circuit grandstands are free for the public.

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PEERAPONG TAKES COMMAND OF THE NEW SUPERSPORTS 600

2019, 2019 Round1, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

2018 SuperSports 600cc team winner, Yamaha Thailand Racing Team, has started their title defense on a strong note. The team’s ace rider, Peerapong Boonlertdelivered an impressive performance in Race 1. Peerapong qualified for second on the grid after crashing out at the final minutes of the morning’s qualifier. Pole position went to Adam Norrodin from the host track, SIC Junior ZK Racing Team. However, a slow start from Adam allowed Peerapong the opportunity to race into the holeshot. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin was also able to push past Adam to take second spot at the opening lap. With the lead firmly in hand, Peerapong stayed at the front for the entire 10 lap race. He eventually crossed the finish line with 21’53.239s, 1.255 seconds ahead ofsecond placed Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin. Behind the leading duo, Adam managed to fight his way up the field to grab the last spot on the podium with 21’58.189s. The SuperSports 600cc class suffered a number of big crashes. Fakhrusy Syakirin dropped off the radar in the first lap, followed soon by Passawit Thitivararak. TroyAlberto had a scary high side on Lap 1 while Astra Honda Racing Team’s Andi Farid Izdihar also retired from the race after four laps.

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IT’S NOT JUST LUCK FOR LUCKY

2019, 2019 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Lucky Hendriansyah has proven that his top performance throughout the first round of the 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is more than just luck. The Astra Honda Racing Team rider started the Asia Production 250cc Race 1 from fifth on the grid, lining up on second row behind pole sitter Muklada Sarapuech, Irfan Ardiansyah, Andy Muhammad Fadly and Awhin Sanjaya. Lucky was the only rookie among the top five and within the space of a lap, began challenging Andy Muhammad Fadly for the lead. Lucky succeeded in taking control of the race on Lap 2 but found it hard to get away from Kawasaki’s Andy. The one-on-one battle went all the way to the chequered flag. The more experienced Andy almost lost control when he pushed beyond the limits to overtake Lucky at the final corner. While Andy struggled to tame his fidgety Kawasaki Ninja 250, Lucky raced to the finish line to stop the clock with 19’34.655s. A disappointed Andy had to settle for second place with 19’34.839s followed by Irfan Ardiansyah in third with 19’38.376s. Earlier in the race, pole sitter Muklada Sarapuech developed engine problems on Lap 3 and had to retire in tears. While the spotlight remained on the battle at the front, the most impressive performance of the day went to Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing’s Aiki Iyoshi who went from last on the 25-rider grid to fifth in the race.

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ONE FOR MCKINLEY IS ONE FOR THE PHILIPPINES

2019, 2019 Round1, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Filipino rider McKinley Kyle Paz had a dream start to his 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Arriving at the Sepang Circuit for his full-season debut, the Uma Racing Yamaha Philippines rider delivered an astounding win to prevent an all-Malaysian clean sweep of the Underbone 150cc podium. McKinley qualified for the second spot on the front row, but on a 34-rider Underbone grid, the front row starting position gave him only minimal advantages. While the usual jostling for position carried on for the entire six laps of the race, McKinley was one of the more consistent leaders of the front pack along with team mates Mohd Akid Aziz and Fernando Masato. The Uma Racing Yamaha Philippines Team rider won the slipstream race at the final sprint to the finish line with 15’28.658s. Mohd Affendi Rosli placed second with 15’28.870s and Mohd Akid Aziz was third with 15’28.886s.

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BROC ‘PARKES’ HIS R1 ON PROVISIONAL POLE

2019, 2019 Round1, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Australian rider Broc Parkes has just snared provisional pole for Round 1 in the ASB1000 class of the 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The Yamaha Racing Team ASEAN rider clocked 2’05.608s in the third free practice session. Malaysian rider Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman is expected to give Parkes a run for his money. The ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team rider brought his BMW S1000RR to within 0.80s of Parkes’s best time. At 2’05.688s, Azlan was the second fastest ASB1000 rider. Thitipong Warokorn from the Kawasaki Thailand Racing Team outfit stayed consistent in third fastest with 2’06.333s. Apiwat Wongthananon, from the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team, also finished a creditable fourth with 2’06.387s. Ahmad Yudhistira, the sole Indonesian on the ASB1000 grid, brought his stock standard R1 to fifth fastest with 2’06.448s, an incredible feat. TJ Alberto from the Philippines bettered his time to 2’08.227s. A number of injuries had resulted in a change to the rider make up of the ASB1000 grid. Patrick Li and Hafiq Azmi will be replaced by K. Rajini Krishnan and Farid Badrul Hisahm respectively. Both riders crashed out during the pre-season test.

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HEAD TO HEAD BATTLE BETWEEN PEERAPONG AND ADAM ON THE CARDS FOR 600cc

2019, 2019 Round1, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

An unexpected battle between SuperSports 600cc newcomers Peerapong Boonlert and Muhamad Adam Mohd Norrodin is on the cards as the clock ticks down to the first two races of the season at the Sepang Circuit this weekend. Thai rider Peerapong Boonlert, newly arrived in the sophomore class after spending two years in the Asia Production 250cc category, is also a 2-times Suzuka 4 Hour Champion. The Yamaha Thailand Racing Team rider checked in as the fastest rider of the group with 2’10.610s. 0.324s behind, Malaysian rider Muhamad Adam Mohd Norrodin is living it up on his team’s home track. Adam, who races under the SIC Junior ZK Racing team colours, was a Moto3 rider for three seasons. The 21-year-old Malaysian racing star clocked 2’10.934s as the second fastest 600cc rider of the day. Behind the two leaders, nine other riders managed to lap within 2’11s. Mohd Ramdan Rosli was the third fastest of the day with 2’11.027s followed by AzroyHakeem Anuar fourth with 2’11.168s and Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin fifth with 2’11.189s. Mohd Helmi Azman, now carrying the trademark Musashi number 634, seems to be feeling the weight of expectations. After lapping at the top of the timesheets during the pre-season test, the Malaysian rider dropped to sixth fastest with 2’11.254s. The best performing Indonesian rider on the 14-rider grid was Andi Farid Izdihar from the Astra Honda Racing Team, seventh with 2’11.314s. Ahmad Afif Amran, Passawit Thitiravararak and Kritchaporn Kaewsonthi also made it into the top 10.

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LUCKY TAKES COMMAND OF AP250

2019, 2019 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Astra Honda Racing Team’s Lucky Hendriansyah has taken provisional command of the Asia Production 250cc class. The AP250 newcomer blasted his way to the top of the timing sheets in the first free practice session. Lucky’s time of 2’25.530s held firm throughout the whole day. Three other riders managed to lap within the same second. Andy Muhammad Fadly was second fastest with 2’25.617s. Lucky’s team mate Irfan Ardiansyah was third with 2’25.637s and Muklada Sarapuech from team A.P. Honda Racing Thailand fourth with 2’25.886s. Kawasaki rider Aiki Iyoshi led the second group with 2’26.321s. Iyoshi placed fifth fastest ahead of Awhin Sanjaya, Sethu Rajiv, Rey Ratukore, Mohd MuzakkirMohamed and Suttipat Patchaeetron. For Sethu Rajiv in particular, a seventh placing on the combined timesheets is a personal best, especially against a 25-rider grid.

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FAZLI MAXIMISES BIKE AERODYNAMICS TO TAKE PROVISIONAL POLE

2019, 2019 Round1, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

There’s a special term in Underbone racing known as ‘the tuck’. Essentially, the term refers to an Underbone rider’s ability to literally ‘tuck’ himself into the frame of the bike and maximizing the natural aerodynamics of the machine. In Malaysia, seasoned campaigner Ahmad Fazli Sham is the undisputed king of ‘the tuck’. Fifth after the first two free practice sessions, Fazli Sham slipstreamed his way to the top of the timesheets during the qualifying practice with 2’32.984s. The ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team rider was the only Underbone rider to lap within 2’32 in the qualifying practice. Yamaha Racing Indonesia’s Aldi Satya Mahendra, a rookie entry in the 2019 season, continued to gain fans with his consistent performance. Aldi clocked in with 2’33.213s behind Fazli Sham. Indonesian Underbone specialist and now Ahmad Fazli Sham’s ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team team mate, Wahyu Aji Trilaksana posted the third fastest time of the day with 2’33.364s. The 30-minute Underbone qualifier also brought out the best from Fernando Masato of the Philippines. The UMA Racing Yamaha Philippine Team rider stopped the clock at 2’33.629s. Meanwhile, Mohd Akid Aziz who had been fastest in the morning practice, dropped to fifth with 2’33.846s.

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PARKES SETTLES IN

2019, 2019 Round1, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

Australian Broc Parkes seems to be settling in and getting comfortable in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship environment. The 38-year-old from the Hunter Region in New South Wales Australia, is doing double-duty this year, racing in both the EWC with YART and the Asia Road Racing Championship with Yamaha Racing Team Asean. We stole five minutes of his time for a quick update: New Circuits to Conquer “Aside from Suzuka and Sepang, the rest of the circuits are unfamiliar to me. This will be a brand new challenge.” The Bike and Preprations for Round 1 “I’m happy with the preparations so far. The team had had the opportunity to do some private testing at Sepang a few weeks ago. During the 2-day pre-season test, we were able to lay a good foundation for the first round.” “The spec of the bike is stock while I’m more used to bikes with more race specs. In a way, it feels closer to riding a 600cc (as opposed to a fully kitted out Superbike) Dunlop Tyres “I have not raced on Dunlop tyres for many years. But I have been able to understand the tyres very quickly. I find it to be very consistent.” First Full Asian Season “I have had spot entries in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in the past. I joined the series for the Qatar round in 2013 where I finished 4th in Race 1 and 2ndin Race 2. I repeated the stint in 2015 but unfortunately, was unable to start the race due to engine troubles.

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DUNLOP: ASB1000 CUSTOM SLICKS

2019, 2019 Round1, Latest News /

A year’s worth of intense research and development has gone into Dunlop’s final custom slicks for the new ASB1000 class, resulting in a new model of slick tyres available to the market. The pertinent details of the tyres are as follows: Model Number  Compound FRONT  120/70R17 KR149 Soft Medium Hard REAR  250/60R17 KR133 Soft Hard According to Mr. Kentaro Kobayashi, Management and Service Engineer of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd (Dunlop), the results from the pre-season test of the 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship had exceeded expectations. “The pre-test was really important for the developers of the tyre. It had been five years since the Asian series raced at Sepang and the lack of data as well as the known abrasion of the circuit was a concern.” “However, we were pleased to have the tyres working well in all weather conditions from 30 degrees Celsius in the morning to more than 62 degrees Celsius in the afternoon.” “While developing the product, we wanted to create an easy-to-use slick tyre that is comfortable. We tried to develop a super wide range for the big changes of track temperature as can be seen at the Sepang Circuit. Looking at the results from the pre-season test, I believe we have achieved that,” said Mr. Kobayashi. The KR149 and KR133 are marked with the ASB1000 logo and available for purchase in the market. For more information, interested parties are advised to contact their local Dunlop distributors.

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