2016

INDONESIA’S RIZAL FERIYADI RISES TO THE OCCASION

2016, 2016 Test, Suzuki Asian Challenge /

A day after Japanese rider Maxi Hattori scored the fastest time in the 2016 Suzuki Asian Challenge tryouts, Indonesian rider Rizal Feriyadi upped the ante by going one second faster to emerge as the quickest contender on the grid. Rizal posted at 2’00.613s clocking the exact same time as second-season rider April King Mascardo of the Philippines. Malaysian rider Muhd Rozaliman Zakaria was third fastest with 2’01.034s while India’s Jagan Kumar tested fourth fastest with 2’01.284s. Jefri Tosema succeeded in placing a second Indonesian rider in the top-five with his best lap of 2’01.407s. Combined Suzuki Asian Challenge Selection Resuls: 1. Rizal Feriyadi (INA), 2’00.613s; 2. April King Mascardo (PHI), 2’00.613s; 3. Muhd Rozaliman Zakaria (MAS), 2’01.034s; 4. Jagan Kumar (IND), 2’01.284s; 5. Jefri Tosema (INA), 2’01.034s; 6. Maxi Hattori (JPN), 2’01.284s; 7. Muhammad Sapril (INA), 2’01.407s; 8. Arsyad Rusydi Shaharum (SIN), 2’01.633s; 9. Kannan Subramaniam (IND), 2’01.998s; 10. Shinnosuke Sato (JPN), 2’02.054s

INDONESIA’S RIZAL FERIYADI RISES TO THE OCCASION Read More »

MIXED RESULTS FROM PRE-SEASON SELECTION IN 2016 ASIA DREAM CUP

2016, 2016 Test, Asia Dream Cup /

The 2016 selection process for the Asia Dream Cup (Asia Dream Cup) saw mixed results from the new tryouts and second-term riders. Hafiz Nor Azman and Hiroki Nakamura from the class of 2015 easily aced the selection. Malaysian rider Hafiz, who has the slight advantage of prior racing experience at the Johor Circuit, was consistently the fastest rider in the class. He clocked 1’51.706s as the fastest rider, followed by Nakamura, second fastest with 1’51.851s. Newcomer Tokio Shibuta impressed with the third fastest time of the grid, 1’52.134s. Behind Shibuta, Malaysian Md Harith Farhan who had previously taken part in the ADC in 2014, was fourth fastest with 1’52.663s. Returning rider Md Febriansyah of Indonesia rounded up the top five. Combined Asia Dream Cup Selection Results: 1. Hafiz Nor Azman (MAS), 1’51.706s; 2. Hiroki Nakamura (JPN), 1’51.851s; 3. Tokio Shibuta (JPN), 1’52.134s; 4. Md Harith Farhan (MAS), 1’52.663s; 5. Md Febriansyah (INA), 1’52.742s; 6. Woraphod Niamsakhonsakul (THA), 1’52.905s; 7. Broc Pearson (AUS), 1’52.972s; 8. Zhou Sheng Jun Jie (CHN), 1’53.132s; 9. Yassiin Gabriel Somma (INA), 1’53.578s; 10. Jaden Gunawardena (SRI), 1’53.587s

MIXED RESULTS FROM PRE-SEASON SELECTION IN 2016 ASIA DREAM CUP Read More »

ADIB AND IZZAT CONFIDENT IN UNDERBONE CATEGORY

2016, 2016 Test, Underbone 130 /

Team RCB KAGE Motobatt Yamaha YY Pang’s Md Adib Rosley and Md Izzat Zaidi gained in confidence as the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship’s pre-season test came to an end. Adib and Izzat finished three days of practice as the two fastest riders in the Underbone 130cc category. Adib led the group with 1’53.146s. Izzat was second fastest with 1’53.343s. FELDA PB Racing’s Md Shah Khairil Hisham was officially third fastest with 1’54.744s. “So far, it has been an easy run for us, but we won’t allow the pre-season test results to lull us into complacence. The Indonesian competitors are not here yet and they could easily turn the tables on us,” said Adib. Combined Underbone 130cc Practice Results: 1. Md Adib Rosley (MAS), 1’53.146s; 2. Md Izzat Zaidi (MAS), 1’53.343s; 3. Md Shah Khairil Hisham (MAS), 1’54.744s; 4. Iqbal Amri Malik (MAS), 1’55.089s; 5. Azroy Hakeem Anuar (MAS), 1’55.466s

ADIB AND IZZAT CONFIDENT IN UNDERBONE CATEGORY Read More »

YAMAMOTO-APIWAT RIVALRY RESUMES IN NEW SEASON

2016, 2016 Test, Asia Production 250 /

Defending Asia Production 250cc champion Takehiro Yamamoto is set to resume his rivalry with Thai ace Apiwat Wongthananon. However, Yamamoto believes that defending the title may be easier than winning it for the first time last season. Yamamoto spent an entire year fending off repeated attacks from then AP Honda trio comprising of Apiwat, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat, and Vorapong Malahuan. This season, Nakarin has left the Asian series for a slot in the Spanish National Championship. Vorapong is the only seasoned rider left in the Honda team because Apiwat has switched over to Yamaha. The 23-year Yamamoto believes that 2016 may turn out to be a two horse race with Apiwat. The results from the official pre-season test of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship lends credence to Yamamoto’s assumptions. Apiwat set the Asia Production 250cc benchmark with a time of 1’45.057s. Yamamoto, second fastest, was 0.4 seconds off with 1’45.402s. Apiwat’s new team mates Anupab Sarmoon and Peerapong Loiboonpeng were third and fourth fastest respectively. “On paper, it may seem like I am being hounded by a trio of Thai team mates again. But in actuality, it is only Apiwat who is the fastest rider. Anupab and Peerapong were only able to climb up the timesheets by catching a tow from the other riders. We will have to wait for Round 1 to see how well Vorapong works with his new team mates,” said Yamamoto who suffered a crash during the first day of the pre-season practice but has since recovered. “It was just a flesh wound on my hand. Nothing that will stop me from racing next week,” Yamamoto dismissed the injury. Combined Asia Production 250cc Practice Results: 1. Apiwat Wongthananon (THA), 1’45.057s; 2. Takehiro Yamamoto (JPN), 1’45.402; 3. Anupab Sarmoon (THA), 1’45.611s; 4. Peerapong Loiboonpeng (THA), 1’45.620s; 5. Somkiat Chantra (THA), 1’45.781s; 6. Ayumu Tanaka (JPN), 1’45.853s; 7. Vorapong Malahuan (THA), 1’45.917s; 8. Suhathai Chaemsap (THA), 1’45.989s; 9. Galang Hendra Pratama (INA), 1’46.013s; 10. Sitthisak Onchawiang (THA), 1’46.185s

YAMAMOTO-APIWAT RIVALRY RESUMES IN NEW SEASON Read More »

ZAQHWAN COMPLETED THREE DAY PRE-SEASON TEST AS FASTEST 600cc RIDER

2016, 2016 Test, Supersports 600 /

Malaysian rider Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi completed three days of the 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship pre-season test as the fastest SuperSports 600cc rider on the grid. The MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda rider clocked 1’31.112s on the final day of the pre-season tests, wresting the lead from Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman who had been the pace setter of the 600cc class during the first two days of the test sessions. Azlan, who had a different test objective on Day 3, did not improve on his personal best time, and remains second on the timesheet with 1’31.616s. Tomoyoshi Koyama of team T.Pro Yuzy Honda NTS posted the third quickest time of 1’31.773s. “I really like how the season opener is shaping up. Most exciting was the fact that the SuperSports 600cc are now fully on slick tyres this year. I really like the tyre characteristics and how it improves my performance. But at the Johor Circuit, the rough surface requires the team to try out more set-up combinations in order to get the ideal tyre strategy,” said Zaqhwan who is also 2014 SuperSports 600cc Champion. “Frankly, I was surprised that I had managed to clock the fastest time because everyone kept getting progressively faster. Let’s use my team mate Yuki Takahashi’s best time as a benchmark. On Day 1, Takahashi clocked the third fastest time, 1’32.924s. He was absent from the test on Day 2 and Day 3. He has now dropped to 14th fastest. The race next week is bound to be a tightly contested race, especially with the news of more international calibre riders entering the fray.” Combined SuperSports 600cc Practice Results: 1. Md Zaqhwan Zaidi (MAS), 1’31.112s; 2. Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (MAS), 1’31.616s; 3. Tomoyoshi Koyama (JPN), 1’31.773s; 4. Decha Kraisart (THA), 1’31.779s; 5. Ratthapong Wilairot (THA), 1’32.233s; 6. Ahmad Yudhistira (INA), 1’32.243; 7. Taiga Hada (JPN), 1’32.501s; 8. Jakkrit Sawangswat (THA), 1’32.508s; 9. Thitipong Warokorn (THA), 1’32.520s; 10. Andy Muhammad Fadly (INA), 1’32.525s

ZAQHWAN COMPLETED THREE DAY PRE-SEASON TEST AS FASTEST 600cc RIDER Read More »

ARRC RELEASES 2016 CALENDAR FEATURING JOHOR CIRCUIT, BURIRAM, SUZUKA, BUDDH AND SENTUL

2016, 2016 Round1, 2016 Test, Asia Dream Cup, Asia Production 250, Latest News, Supersports 600, Suzuki Asian Challenge, Underbone 130 /

The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) 2016 calendar will feature a combination of familiar and new circuits as the 21st season of the Asian series get underway. The season will open with a return to the Johor Circuit in Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia on April 1 and 2, 2016. The last time the 3.86km Johor Circuit hosted the ARRC was in 2007. The second leg will take place at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand followed by Suzuka Circuit in Japan and the Sentul Circuit in Indonesia as hosts for the third and fourth rounds respectively. Round 5 will take place at a new venue – the Buddh International Circuit in New Delhi, India. Thailand’s Chang Circuit will close off the 2016 season in December. Quote by Ron Hogg – Director, Two Wheels Motor Racing (race promoters of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship) “This year, we are excited at the opportunity to return to the Johor Circuit. The Championship has taken a 10-year leave of absence from Johor and we hope that this homecoming will create a huge impact with the local motorsports fans.” “Even more exciting is the prospect of racing at the Buddh International Circuit in New Delhi, India. The Championship’s previous visits to India were at the southern tip of the continent, the Madras Race Track in Chennai. This time, the riders will be taking on new challenges from the 5.13km Formula 1 circuit.” Round Venue Date Round 1 Johor Circuit, MALAYSIA April 1 & 2, 2016 Round 2 Chang International Circuit, THAILAND May 7 & 8, 2016 Round 3 Suzuka Circuit, JAPAN June 4 & 5, 2016 Round 4 Sentul Circuit, INDONESIA August 6 & 7, 2016 Round 5 Buddh Circuit, INDIA October 1 & 2, 2016 Round 6 Chang International Circuit, THAILAND December 3 & 4, 2016 Note: All dates and venues are subject to change.

ARRC RELEASES 2016 CALENDAR FEATURING JOHOR CIRCUIT, BURIRAM, SUZUKA, BUDDH AND SENTUL Read More »

JAPAN’S MAXI HATTORI IMPRESSES AT SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE SELECTION

2016, 2016 Test, Suzuki Asian Challenge /

Japanese newcomer Maxi Hattori put in an impressive performance at the Suzuki Asian Challenge selection process for the second season of the Suzuki talent development programme. Auditioning during the official pre-season test of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Johor Circuit in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, Maxi posted the fastest time of 2’01.633s. Malaysia’s Mohd Rozaliman Zakaria was the second fastest contestant with 2’01.795s and Indonesia’s Jefri Tosema was third fastest with 2’01.833s. All three at the top end of the timesheets are new candidates and have performed better than the repeat riders. Only four riders have been retained from the 2015 season. They are India’s Jagan Kumar, Philippine’s Mario Borbon Jr and April King Mascardo, as well as Singapore’s Arsyad Rusydi Shaharum. The Suzuki Asian Challenge expanded its footprint this season and has brought together riders from nine Asian countries for the selection. The represented countries are (in no particular order) Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Nepal. Day 1 Pre-Season Selection Results: 1. Maxi Hattori (JPN), 2’01.633s; 2. Muhd Rozaliman Zakaria (MAS), 2’01.795s; 3. Jeffri Tosema (INA), 2’01.833s; 4. Jagan Kumar (IND), 2’02.171s; 5. Rizal Feriyadi (INA), 2’02.442s

JAPAN’S MAXI HATTORI IMPRESSES AT SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE SELECTION Read More »

HAFIZ NOR AZMAN SHINES AT ASIA DREAM CUP SELECTION

2016, 2016 Test, Asia Dream Cup /

The fifth edition of the Asia Dream Cup will be a mix between freshmen and sophomore riders. Malaysian Hafiz Nor Azman, racing in his second season of the Honda talent developmental platform, cemented his position in the scholarship programme when he tested fastest during the pre-season selection process. Hafiz was the only rider to clock 1’53.579s against second fastest rider Tokio Shibuta who posted 1’54.546s. China’s Zhou Sheng Jun Jie is also a repeat rider in the programme. He had shown tremendous improvement during the latter half of the 2015 season and is currently third fastest with 1’54.600s. The pre-season selection test brought in 10 rookies, all eager to get on board the programme that has resulted in the creation of four international-level riders. They include Tokio Shibuta (JPN), Yassiin Gabriel Somma (INA), Woraphod Niamsakhonsakul and Sittipon Srimoontree (THA), Bui Duy Thong (VIE), Rudy Ananda (SIN), Corey Briffa (AUS), as well as You Tz Jiun and Tseng Kai Hsien (CHN-TPE). Day 1 Pre-Season Selection Results: Asia Dream Cup 1. Hafiz Nor Azman (MAS), 1’53.579s; 2. Tokio Shibuta (JPN), 1’54.546s; 3. Zhou Sheng Jun Jie (CHN), 1’54.600s; 4. Md Harith Farhan (MAS), 1’54.787s; 5. Md Febriansyah (INA), 1’55.727s

HAFIZ NOR AZMAN SHINES AT ASIA DREAM CUP SELECTION Read More »

YY PANG DUO SETS THE UNDERBONE PACE

2016, 2016 Test, Underbone 130 /

RCB KAGE Motobatt Yamaha YY Pang’s Md Adib Rosley and Md Izzat Zaidi emerged as the top riders in the Underbone 130cc category. They completed the two days of pre-season official test at the Johor Circuit as the fastest competitors with times of 1’53.146s and 1’53.343s respectively. Meanwhile, rookie riders Md Shah Khairil Hisham of FELDA PB Racing and Iqbal Amri Malik were third and fourth fastest followed by T Pro Honda Yuzy’s Azroy Hakeem Anuar who rounded up the top-five. Day 2 Pre-Season Test Results: Underbone 130cc 1. Md Adib Rosley (MAS), 1’53.146s; 2. Md Izzat Zaidi (MAS), 1’53.343s; 3. Md Shah Khairil Hisham (MAS), 1’54.744s

YY PANG DUO SETS THE UNDERBONE PACE Read More »

AZLAN AND ZAQHWAN TOPS DAY 2 PRE-SEASON TEST

2016, 2016 Test, Supersports 600 /

Malaysian duo Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman and Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi have emerged as favourites to win the 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship season opener at the Johor Circuit in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia. The two former team mates were consistently at the top of the SuperSports 600cc timesheets over the first two days of pre-season tests. Azlan, now racing for team BikeART Kawasaki Racing, have constantly improved his laptimes with each practice session and is now the fastest rider on the grid with 1’31.616s. MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda’s Zaqhwan was the only other rider in the 600cc class to punch through the 1 minute 32 second barrier. Zaqhwan clocked 1’31.790s, the second fastest rider in the class to date. Tomoyoshi Koyama was third fastest with 1’32.052s. Azlan races one of four Kawasaki bikes in the SuperSports 600cc class. Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing’s Andy Muhammad Fadly and Ahmad Yudhistira were 6th and 7th fastest respectively after two days of practice. Meanwhile, defending champion Yuki Takahashi who was third fastest on Day 1, has dropped down to ninth overall position as the majority of riders improved on their lap records. Takahashi was absent on Day 2 of the pre-season test. Quote by Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman: There is still plenty of work to be done. For the second day of the pre-season test, our objective was to go at race pace and test the difference in durability between the medium and soft compound tyres. We also have some more mapping work to do because the bike is responding adversely to the hot weather. Day 2 Pre-Season Test Results: SuperSports 600cc 1. Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (MAS), 1’31.616s; 2. Md Zaqhwan Zaidi (MAS), 1’31.790s; 3. Tomoyoshi Koyama (JPN), 1’32.052s; 4. Jakkrit Sawangswat (THA), 1’32.508s; 5. Ratthapong Wilairot (THA), 1’32.511s; 6. Andy Muhammad Fadly (INA), 1’32.525s; 7. Ahmad Yudhistira (INA), 1’32.551s; 8. Thitipong Warokorn (THA), 1’32.618s; 9. Yuki Takahashi (JPN), 1’32.924s; 10. Dimas Ekky Pratama (INA), 1’32.942s

AZLAN AND ZAQHWAN TOPS DAY 2 PRE-SEASON TEST Read More »