2017

Reigning Underbone champion, Wahyu Aji Trilaksana is looking forward to Round 2 at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand this weekend after an opening round that did not quite go according to script. Wahyu had hoped for a strong start to the 2017 season even though his pre-season test had been beset by problems. Team Yamaha Racing Indonesia had clearly made tremendous steps towards resolving the technical issues as Round 1 progressed in early April. “Full credits to my team and especially our engineers. They turned the bike around in a remarkably short period of time,” said Wahyu. Unfortunately, Wahyu’s charge to the first podium of the season was derailed when he and team mate Anggi Setiawan crashed out on Lap 6. Undeterred, Wahyu finished second in Race 2 to get his title run back on track. The loss of points from Race 1 has dropped Wahyu down to sixth overall in the rankings. Round 2 in Thailand will be crucial for Wahyu to redeem his position. “The switch up to the Underbone 150 category has been hard for all the riders. The lack of data makes it harder to prepare our bikes. But I am really optimistic ahead of Buriram. Our bike showed good improvement in Race 2 and we’re well on our way to a solid result in Thailand. Buriram is also one of my favourite tracks, so I’m really looking forward to racing there.”

Mohd Akid Aziz of team UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor has cemented his status as the next exciting name in Malaysian motorsports. The 19-year-old had been nothing but impressive, leading not only the CP115 class of the national championship, but also the Underbone 150cc ladder in the regional FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Prior to the start of the Asian series, team principal Yong Ying Hoe raised eyebrows with his decision to put two junior riders on to the competitive Underbone 150cc grid of the ARRC. “Due to the high level of competition in the regional series, teams usually hedge their bets by fielding one seasoned campaigner with a rookie. But Akid rewarded my belief in him many times over with a double podium performance at the Johor Circuit two weeks ago. He rode with a coolness and maturity that eclipsed the fact that it was his first time racing against strong riders from Indonesia,” said Yong. The local racing industry is already abuzz with news that Akid could be the next to follow in the footsteps of Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin. He would most likely be the Malaysian candidate for the Yamaha VR46 MasterCamp this season. However, the news is yet to be officially confirmed by Hong Leong Yamaha. While training stints with racing idols in Europe may beckon in the mid-term, for now, Yong would prefer if his dazzling young protege focuses on the task at hand. “I just want both Akid and Haziq to prepare for Round 2 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship that will take place at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand this weekend. Now that the rest of the field have taken the measure of their abilities, we no longer have the element of surprise working to our favour. But if they continue to perform as they have done, the rewards will come their way.” Round 2 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will be held at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand fromApril 13 to 15, 2017.

Mohd Affendi Rosli had been sanctioned with a 1-round suspension from the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Affendi was found to have raced in an irresponsible manner during Race 1 of the Underbone 150cc category in Round 1 of the 2017 season. The incident was deemed to have been potentially dangerous to the other participants. Therefore, Affendi will not be racing in Round 2 of the Asian series which will be held at the Chang International Circuit on April 14 and 15, 2017. Full clip of the incident :

Race 2 from Round 1 of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship turned out to be a good day for the rising in the Asian series. Just as Taiga Hada and Rheza Danica Ahrens shone in the SuperSports 600cc and Asia Production 250cc classes, debutant Mohd Akid Aziz gave a thrilling performance when he rode to a stunning victory in the Underbone 150cc category. The 19-year-old Akid had been strong throughout the weekend, narrowly losing out to countryman Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam in Race 1 at a photo finish. In Race 2, Akid redeemed himself with a stunning ride that saw him match Indonesian duo Wahyu Aji Trilaksana and Anggie Setiawan pace-for-pace during the run-up to the finish line. Akid scored his first Asian victory with a time of 14’52.561s, leaving defending champion Wahyu to settle for second place with 14’52.888s and Anggi in third with 14’52.959s. “Race 2 was less challenging than Race 1,” said a very frank Akid. “I just had to keep my pace within the leading group and then power up at the final lap. My thanks to my team for preparing such a great bike.” After Round 1, Akid is now the provisional Underbone 150cc leader with 45 points. Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam is second overall with 33 points while Tengku Amirul Haffiruddin was third with 24 points. Akid’s results had also given team UMA Racing Yamaha Maju a decisive lead in the opening stages of the 2017 season. Team Maju holds 45 points against SCK Rapido Hi Rev Honda Racing in second overall position with 36 points.