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FIVE AUSTRALIAN RIDERS TO WILDCARD IN ARRC ROUND 2

2018, 2018 Round2, Latest News /

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Motorcycling Australia (MA) is pleased to announce Broc Pearson, Tom Toparis, Scott Nicholson, Zac Levy and Locky Taylor have secured wildcard entries for the 2018 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship Round 2 at The Bend Motorsport Park (April 19-22). Wildcard rides offer an excellent opportunity for these young riders to show off their talents in front of the best teams from Asia. All five riders will be pulling double duty throughout the weekend, competing in ARRC and the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”5203″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Broc Pearson (Supersports 600) Young star, Pearson (QLD) is no stranger to the ARRC, having previously competed as a wildcard back in 2017. He has also competed in the Asia Dream Cup and has enjoyed a very successful 2018 season so far in the ASBK’s Kawasaki Supersport Class, currently third in class. Pearson; “I’m really happy to be awarded a wildcard spot in the ARRC from MA. It’s definitely going to be a challenge running in both classes but It will be interesting to see the difference that I’ve made over the past few months since I last competed in the ARRC late last year. I managed to finish 17th on that occasion. I’m now racing on a Yamaha and very comfortable with the machine, so I’m hoping to make some improvement. Obviously the top ten will be very competitive, but I’m on my own bike, so I will be aiming for a top five if everything falls my way. “The layout of The Bend is awesome, it took me a few sessions to find my way around. Once I learned the track, I found the elevation changes to be really exciting. There should be more rubber laid for the big weekend and I’m looking forward to it,” Pearson finished.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”5208″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Tom Toparis (Supersports 600) Cube Racing Team’s Tom Toparis (NSW) rarely passes up the chance to wildcard, having previously competed in Moto3 and WorldSSP. Now the ASBK Kawasaki Supersport class leader will be showing off his talents against Asia’s best. Toparis; “It’s great news to be selected as an ARRC wildcard and another great opportunity. We’ve obviously competed in WorldSSP and Moto3 in the past and have made the most of those appearances. This will also offer another chance to learn the track and put in additional laps. I can’t wait to race with several of the best riders Asia has to offer. The bikes will be very similar to what we race in ASBK, albeit with different tyres. Luckily, I have already taken part in the Official ASBK Test, so I will have some understanding of the track. Hopefully we can fly the flag for Australia next week!” According to Toparis.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”5209″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Scott Nicholson (Supersports 600) NextGen Motorsports’ Nicholson has made the big step up to the ASBK’s Kawasaki Supersport class this year and has previously competed in the Australian Supersport 300. Nicholson (VIC); “I’m really exciting to be racing in the ARRC alongside ASBK. It should be a great experience going up against the best riders in Asia. It also gets me extra track time for what will be a great learning experience in the long run. I really enjoyed the new track at the test. Its long and flowing, a real jigsaw of several of the best tracks in the world. The ARRC runs pretty much standard bikes and that’s what I’ve been running in Australia. There won’t be much modification necessary to compete in the ARRC class.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”5210″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Zac Levy (Asia Production 250) The current YMF R3 Cup championship leader and second in the Australian Supersport 300 class, Levy (QLD) is confident heading into his first international wildcard appearance. Levy saying; “Definitely excited to be riding in the ARRC. This will be my first wild card in any major event, so it should be interesting to see what I can do against these fast ARRC competitors. It’s a new track and new bike, but I am confident we will be able to produce good results. I look forward to getting out on track next week!”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”5211″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Locky Taylor (Underbone 150) Taylor (QLD) started racing at the age of five and has competed in the MRRDA and Moto3 Asia Talent Cup, he now races in the ASBK’s Australian Supersport 300 & YMF R3 Cup classes. Taylor; “We first heard about the opportunity from MA and I thought why not give it a crack. With the ARRC coming down to Australia for the first time, it’s a great chance to try something different. It’s going to be a great experience for sure. I’ll be at a little disadvantage as I did not attend the Official ASBK Test, but it wasn’t possible for me at the time. I’ve actually ridden in the Underbone class before for the Asia Talent Cup selection process. They are a great bike and I should be able to adapt quickly.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]ASBK will return to the track for a motorcycle spectacular with the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) 19-22 April. The best riders from Australia and Asia will be burning rubber, it won’t be one to missed! Fans that wish to catch all the action at The Bend Motorsport Park for the ASBK and ARRC double header can purchase tickets here. Credit : Motorcycling Australia[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

FIVE AUSTRALIAN RIDERS TO WILDCARD IN ARRC ROUND 2 Read More »

MIXED RESULTS FROM ARRC REGULARS’ FORAY INTO WORLD SSP

2018, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

The ARRC riders drew mixed results from their recent foray into the 2018 World Supersports Championship at the Chang International Circuit. The Thai edition of the World SSP brought together some of the best SuperSports 600cc regulars from the Asia Road Racing Championship – Anthony West, Decha Kraisart, Thitipong Warokorn, Ratthapong Wilairot, and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman. All five were regular podium contenders at the Thai circuit and were expected to put in solid performances as they ventured into the world championship. Of the five, three finished within the top 10. Thitipong Warokorn was the best finisher, crossing the finish line in fifth place. Anthony West brought his private non-factory-supported bike home in sixth. Yamaha Thailand’s latest recruit Ratthapong Wilairot in eighth ahead of senior team mate Decha Kraisart who did not put up a repeat performance of his 2017 podium-worthy ride. Decha was 13th in the race. Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, a last-minute entry to replace the injured Sofuoglu, started the race from 17th on the grid and finished out of the points in 16th place.

MIXED RESULTS FROM ARRC REGULARS’ FORAY INTO WORLD SSP Read More »

AZLAN TO REPLACE SOFUOGLU IN THAI WORLD SUPERSPORTS

2018, Latest News, Supersports 600, Uncategorized /

2-times SuperSports 600cc Champion, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, will replace Kenan Sofuoglu in team Kawasaki Puccetti Racing at the World SuperSports Championship at the Chang International Circuit this weekend (March 23 – 24, 2018) Azlan, who rides for team Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing in the Asia Road Racing Championship, was tapped in to partner Hikaru Okubo (another ARRC alumni). No stranger to international racing, this will be Azlan’s debut race in the WSBK arena. “I feel very happy about this opportunity. It feels like a dream come true to be racing with this team and in the World SSP. I have to thank the team very much for accepting me for this ride and I will try to finish at the top. Thank you, Kawasaki family.”

AZLAN TO REPLACE SOFUOGLU IN THAI WORLD SUPERSPORTS Read More »

2018 IDEMITSU FIM ASIA ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP OPENS TO SIX WINNERS IN SIX RACES

2018, 2018 Round1, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

The 2018 season of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship opened to a spectacular six winners in six races at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand. In the super-charged competitive environment that is the Asian road racing industry, the results from Round 1 promises an exciting season ahead. The 4.554km Chang International Circuit had always brought out the best from Anthony West. This latest outing had been no different. After taking second place in Race 1, West capped off a successful weekend with a convincing victory in 29’59.201s in Race 2. The Australian was initially caught up in a 6-man pack at the front of the group. But when Azlan ran wide on Lap 15, the Malaysian’s subsequent efforts to make up for lost ground gave West the chance to shake off the group. Racing astride the new Yamaha R6, West crossed the finish line with a 1.9-second margin. Decha Kraisart took second place while Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman managed to make the cut for the podium when Zaqhwan Zaidi and Ratthapong Wilairot crashed out at the last corner. Ironically, as the ARRC heads down under to The Bend Motorsports Park in Australia for the very first time, West, the championship leader will be missing from the grid due to a long-standing commitment in the WSSP. Nevertheless, West leads the 600cc title hunt with 45 points. Azlan is second overall with 32 points and Thitipong Warokorn third with 25 points. SUPERSPORTS 600cc TYRE CHOICE There were three compounds to choose from in the premiere class. But with air temperature up to 36 degrees Celsius and ground temperature measured at 60 degrees Celsius, the hard compound seemed to be the only viable solution. SS600 Tyre Choice Comp Rider Team Make Race 1 Race 2 Front Rear Front Rear 13 Anthony West Webike IKAZUCHI Racing Yamaha H H H H 16 Irfan Ardiansyah Astra Honda Racing Team Honda H H H H 20 Azroy Hakeem Anuar MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda Honda H H H H 21 Zaqhwan Zaidi MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda Honda H H H H 23 Taiga Hada Idemitsu Honda Racing India by T.Pro Ten10 Honda H H H H 24 Decha Kraisart Yamaha Thailand Racing Team Yamaha H H H H 25 Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing Kawasaki H H H H 27 Andi Farid Izdihar Astra Honda Racing Team Honda H H H H 29 Patrick Li Webike IKAZUCHI Racing Yamaha M M M M 32 Ramdan Rosli Hong Leong YAMAHA Malaysia Yamaha H H H H 33 Ahmad Yudhistira Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing Kawasaki H H H H 56 Ratthapong Wilairot Yamaha Thailand Racing Team Yamaha H H H H 64 Keminth Kubo Yamaha Racing Asean Yamaha H H H H 66 Ibrahim Norrodin SIC ZK Racing Kawasaki Kawasaki H H H M 634 Tomoyoshi Koyama MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda Honda H H H H 76 Yuki Ito Yamaha Racing Asean Yamaha H H H H 80 Amirul Hafiq Azmi ONEXOX TKKR Racing Team Yamaha H H H H 88 Keisuke Kurihara AP Honda Racing Thailand Honda H H H H 92 Muzakkir Mohd ONEXOX TKKR Racing Team Yamaha H H H H 100 Thitipong Warokorn Core Kawasaki Thailand Racing Team Kawasaki H H H H 123 Passawit Thitivararak AP Honda Racing Thailand Honda H H H H 127 Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin Hong Leong YAMAHA Malaysia Yamaha H H H H SuperSports 600cc Fastest Lap Summary FP Keminth Kubo 1’38.902 QP Zaqhwan Zaidi 1’38.469 R1 Thitipong Warokorn 1’39.283 R2 Zaqhwan Zaidi 1’39.213

2018 IDEMITSU FIM ASIA ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP OPENS TO SIX WINNERS IN SIX RACES Read More »

GIRL POWER IN THE ASIA PRODUCTION 250cc, MUKLADA TAKES HER FIRST WIN

2018, 2018 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

AP Honda Racing Thailand’s Muklada Sarapuech continues to make waves. The 2015 Asia Dream Cup Champion made history again in Round 1 of the 2018 Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand when she became the first female rider to win the Asia Production 250cc class. Muklada, who received two sanctions after Race 1, put in a clean and faultless performance in Race 2 as she weaved, dodged, feinted and parried against the rest of the boys. The AP Honda Thailand rider led the group across the start/finish line from Lap 2 to Lap 6. The pressure sent her off the track limits on Lap 7. But this time, Muklada was careful to rejoin without gaining any advantage. That single mistake had sent Muklada from third to eleventh. With only two laps to go, Muklada overtook three riders to reach P7 on the penultimate lap, and another five riders to take the win with 19’11.671s. Rafid Topan Sucipto crafted a great comeback by finishing second followed by Kanatat Jaiman in third. Peerapong Boonlert, the fastest rider in Race 2, ended the race in fourth. Race 1 winner Anupab Sarmoon crossed the finish line in fifth. As the season opener drew to a close, Anupab Sarmoon holds the championship lead with 36 points. Muklada is tied in second with Rafid Topan – each with 31 points apiece.   Asia Production 250cc Fastest Lap Summary FP Mario Suryo Aji 1’53.106 QP Anupab Sarmoon 1’53.064 R1 Mario Suryo Aji 1’53.603 R2 Peerapong Boonlert 1’53.356

GIRL POWER IN THE ASIA PRODUCTION 250cc, MUKLADA TAKES HER FIRST WIN Read More »

WAHYU SANCTIONED, HELMI DECLARED AS RACE 2 WINNER

2018, 2018 Round1, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Race 2 of the Underbone 150cc became embroiled in more controversy as race winner Wahyu Aji Trilaksana faced further sanctions for his repeated risky final lap race tactics. In Race 1 on Saturday, Wahyu was sanctioned with a 3-points deduction from his total points haul for intentionally swerving into the path of the other competitors. At the final lap of Race 2, Wahyu executed the same move again. The FIM Asia jury which is comprised of members from different Asian countries, sanctioned Wahyu with a 20-second penalty to be added to his race time. Consequently, Wahyu went from first to ninth in the finishing order. Mohd Helmi Azman from team SCK Rapido Hi Rev Honda Racing picked up his first ARRC win with 16’42.183. Newcomer Syahrul Amin of  Yamaha Yamalube SND Factory was also promoted to second with 16’42.351. Mohd Amirul Ariff Musa went up to third with 16’42.351s. Helmi now leads the Underbone 150cc title chase with 36 points, followed by Mohd Izzat Zaidi with 33 points and Affendi Rosli with 30 points. Underbone 150cc Fastest Lap Summary FP Helmi Azman 2’01.917 QP Helmi Azman 2’01.998 R1 Mohd Akid Aziz 2’03.420 R2 Mohd Akid Aziz 2’03.663

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WILDCARD TINGNOTE ENDS 3-YEAR WINNING DROUGHT FOR KAWASAKI AT CHANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT

2018, 2018 Round1, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Wildcard rider Thitipong ‘Tingnote’ Warokorn ended a 3-year winning drought for the Kawasaki camp when he took Race 1 by storm. The last time a Kawasaki had won at the 4.554km Chang International Circuit, was Katsuaki Fujiwara who netted the first SuperSports 600cc win at the ARRC’s inaugural race inBuriram, Thailand. Thitipong, racing for the Core Kawasaki Racing Team, started the race from P6 but began breaking away when he took the lead on Lap 4. Though still hampered by injuries sustained in a separate training incident, Thitipong set a punishing pace at the front of the group, effectively leaving Australian rider Anthony West and defending champion Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman scrambling for the remaining two spots on the podium. By Lap 14, Thitipong had stretched the lead to 3.9 seconds. As the chequered flag came down on Lap 18, Thitipong crossed the finish line in 29’59.235s. 4.274s behind the wildcard, Ant West pipped Azlan to second place. Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi finished fourth while Ahmad Yudhistira ended his race in fifth. Further down the finishing order, Ratthapong Wilairot, Tomoyoshi Koyama, Taiga Hada, Keminth Kubo and Andi Farid Izdihar rounded out the top-10. Also finishing within the points, were debutant Azroy Hakeem Anuar, Yuki Ito, Irfan Ardiansyah, Ramdan Rosli and Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin. A strong performance was expected from the vastly experienced Decha Kraisart. However, the long-time Yamaha Thailand Racing Team rider crashed out on Lap 7.

WILDCARD TINGNOTE ENDS 3-YEAR WINNING DROUGHT FOR KAWASAKI AT CHANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT Read More »

POLE-TO-FLAG, ANUPAB DRAWS FIRST BLOOD

2018, 2018 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Yamaha Thailand Racing Team’s Anupab Sarmoon, a fourth-season contender in the Asia Production 250cc class, drew on every ounce of his experience to come up tops in the first race of the season. The Asia Production 250cc class had always been notorious for its no-holds-barred dogfight at the sharp end of the grid. With 13 riders battling for P1 in a 10-lap melee to the finish line, the polesitter found himself fending off attacks at every corner from the likes of Muklada Sarapuech, newcomer Kritchaporn Kaewsonthi, Indonesia’s Rheza Danica Ahrens, and Andy Muhammad Fadly. With no particular rider dominating the 10-lap race, the notorious last corner at the Chang International Circuit became the deciding factor of the race. Anupab nimbly avoided a particularly aggressive move from Muklada Sarapuech who had earlier succeeded in forcing Mario Suryo Aji off the racing line. The Yamaha rider then neatly held his lines to the finish line to pick up his first win of the season with 19’14.601s. Muklada was second across the chequered flag followed by MarioSuryo Aji. However, Muklada’s actions from Turn 9 to Turn 10 had prompted an immediate investigation into the results. Consequently, race officials penalized the AP Honda Thailand rider and she dropped five positions to P7. Muklada was further fined with a 3-point championship points deduction for unsporting behaviour. Mario was promoted to P2, followed by his team mate Rheza Danica Ahrens in third.

POLE-TO-FLAG, ANUPAB DRAWS FIRST BLOOD Read More »

IZZAT’S DELIGHT

2018, 2018 Round1, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

In the Underbone 150cc category, RCB Yamaha YY Pang rider Mohd Izzat Zaidi inherited a surprise win when the three leading riders crashed out ahead of him at the infamous Chang International Circuit last corner.   Adroitly sidestepping the carnage, a delighted Izzat sprinted to the finish line in 16’40.311s followed by Mohd Affendi Rosli in second place and Wahyu Aji Trilaksana in third.   However, both Affendi and Wahyu will be facing penalties in the form of a 3-point championship points deduction for unsporting behavior in Race 1. Defending champion Mohd Akid Aziz finished out of podium position in fourth place followed by polesitter Mohd Helmi Azman. Seasoned underbone riders Amirul Ariff Musa and Ahmad Fazli Sham were sixth and seventh respectively. Indonesian youngster Syahrul Amin came in eighth. Mohd Haiekal Akmalwas ninth. Most impressive was first-time competitor Huynh Minh Sang, a Uma Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team wildcard from Vietnam.

IZZAT’S DELIGHT Read More »

ROOKIE NO MORE, KEMINTH STRUTS HIS STUFF ON BRAND NEW YAMAHA R6

2018, 2018 Round1, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Now racing in his second full season of the SuperSports 600cc category, a more matured and experienced Keminth Kubo has gotten off to a flying start at Round 1 of the 2018 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The Yamaha Racing ASEAN rider had previously shown glimmers of his potential in the 2017 season, particularly at the Indian leg of the season. As the season opener got underway at the Chang International Circuit, Keminth is out to prove his worth on the Asian stage. Equipped with a brand new Yamaha R6, the Thai rider aced the first day of free practice session with a best time of 1’38.902s. Keminth’s best time was posted from the third free practice session. Most of the riders were unable to post quick times during the morning practice. A heavy rainfall the previous night had resulted in a slippery track surface that left most of the competitors fighting for grip. Seasoned campaigners Decha Kraisart and Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi were second and third fastest respectively – 1’38.933s and 1’38.934s. Ratthapong Wilairot also demonstrated his flair for the R6 when he posted fourth fastest with 1’38.944s. Defending champion Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman and his team mate Ahmad Yudhistira opted for consistency over speed and were fifth and sixth fastest respectively. Tomoyoshi Koyama, Yuki Ito, Anthony West, and Thitipong Warokorn completed the top 10 after a long hot day of free practice.

ROOKIE NO MORE, KEMINTH STRUTS HIS STUFF ON BRAND NEW YAMAHA R6 Read More »