Australian rider Broc Parkes claimed his first ARRC pole in his homecoming race at The Bend Motorsport Park. Following a mediocre outing at the opening round in Sepang last month, Broc returned to the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship with a vengeance.
Broc has been quick to take control of the 4.95km The Bend Motorsport Park circuit and is looking good ahead of the races on pole position with 1’52.581s.
The Yamaha Racing Team Asean rider will line up alongside fellow Australian rider Bryan Staring. Bryan had been pulling a double shift at the Australian round this weekend and is one of the few riders who is racing in both the ASBK and the ARRC. The experienced Kawasaki rider is replacing injured championship leader Thitipong Warokorn. He posted 1’53.223s, the second fastest time in the ASB1000.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Zaqhwan Zaidi ran into trouble when his fastest lap was excluded from the final results for exceeding the track limits. This promoted Apiwat Wongthananon to third on the grid with 1’53.546s.
Yuki Ito will line up fourth on the grid while Zaqhwan dropped to the middle of the third row with 1’54.340s, ahead of compatriot Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman.
Ahmad Yudhistira brought his privateer Yamaha to seventh on the grid with 1’55.041s. Ratthapong Wilairot, Chaiwichit Nisakul and TJ Alberto made up the rest of the top-10.