Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) is taking no prisoners at the final round of the 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand as he tops the times with 1’36.123s. As Azlan prepares to engage in the final battle for the first ASB1000 title, this has given the Malaysian a 0.310s advantage over second place Broc Parkes (Yamaha Racing Team ASEAN).
The fact that the Chang International Circuit was to be the host for the season finale has tipped the odds in Azlan’s favour. The Malaysian was virtually unchallenged at this 4.554km circuit at the previous meet in Round 3 when he converted pole position to a strong double win.
Azlan and Thai rider Apiwat Wongthananon (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team) were the first two to get up to speed, displacing each other at the top. Broc, as usual, was marching to the rhythm of his own drums, not feeling the need to get involved in the early rush.
With 8 minutes of FP3 to go, Azlan logged his best time, 1’36.123s, and promptly dove into the pits for a conference with his BMW engineers. Sensing the opportunity, Broc put in a series of quick laps and managed to push Zaqhwan Zaidi (Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA) down to P3.
The three title contenders, Azlan, Broc and Zaqhwan, have locked out the provisional front row. Apiwat Wongthananon dropped to fourth with 1’36.597s. In P5, Thitipong Warokorn (Kawasaki Thailand Racing Team) poses as a substantial threat. Thai fans can expect to see Thitipong go all out for the win on his homeground. The Thai rider had missed Round 3 while he recovered from a back injury sustained as a wildcard during the World SSP.