2017

Indonesian rider Gerry Salim became the first Indonesian to win the Asia Production 250cc category after an inch-perfect performance in Race 1 of the season opener at the Johor Circuit. Starting the 12-lap race from third on the grid, Gerry grabbed the holeshot ahead of polesitter Anupab Sarmoon from team Yamaha Thailand Racing. Gerry, along with Anupab and 2015 250cc champion Takehiro Yamamoto quickly established themselves as the leaders of the race. Despite the frequent overtaking around the 3.86km circuit, Gerry was consistently in the lead when the pack crossed the start/finish line. The Indonesian rider kept a cool head and defeated the rigorous assault from Yamamoto to clinch the win with a time of 20’52.279s, only 0.055s in front of the Sidrap Honda Ikazuchi rider. Anupab ended the race in third place with 20’52.738s. “The bike was really good and I must thank my team for their hard work. The only thing that put a damper on our race was the weather. It was really difficult conditions out there. I hope the skies will clear up so that we can have a better race in Race 2,” said Gerry who was also the only rider to have won both SuperSports 600cc and Asia Production 250cc races in the Asian series so far. Behind the leading trio, Astra Honda’s debutants Rheza Danica Ahrens and Awhin Sanjaya put in creditable performances with a fourth and fifth place finish respectively. Rheza stopped the clock at 20’58.657s while Awhin posted 21’01.623s at the head of the second group. Former SuperSports 600cc rider, Tomoyoshi Koyama ended his first 250cc race in seventh place while the sole Kawasaki on the grid finished eighth.

Yamaha Thailand’s Anupab Sarmoon extended his dominating pace on the first day of Asia Production 250cc free practice as Round 1 of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship gets underway at the 3.86km Johor Circuit. Anupab, who was consistently one of the fastest riders during the official pre-season test, ended the day as the quickest 250cc rider with a time of 1’44.202s. However, Anupab will have a tough fight on his hands, especially from his closest Honda rival – Gerry Salim. The Indonesian rider clocked 1’44.584s, only 0.382 seconds off Anupab’s pace. 2015 250cc champion Takehiro Yamamoto was third fastest with 1’44.964s. Elsewhere, Yamaha Indonesian duo Imanuel Putra Pratna and Galang Hendra Pratama rounded up the top five of the day with times of 1’45.290s and 1’45.319s respectively.

Getting up to speed with the changes in the paddock as Round 1 flags off at the Johor Circuit on April 1 and 2, 2017. 1. Missing on The Grid The AP250 class will be racing without a defending champion this year. Apiwat Wongthananon will be spending 2017 in Europe, racing in the Spanish CEV Championship. Similarly, Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin will take a hiatus from the ARRC to train in the CEV.   2. From the 600cc crew 2016 SuperSports 600cc competitors, Tomoyoshi Koyama, Gerry Salim, Mohd Fitri Ashraf Razali and Andy Muhammad Fadly will be racing in the Asia Production 250cc category.   3. Girl Power In Team One For All Former GP rider, Youichi Ui, has filled his team One For All with two female riders this season. They are Naoko Takasugi (Bike 750) from Japan, and Tran Thi Doan Trang (Bike 16) from Vietnam. With Muklada Sarapuech back in the ARRC, there will be three female riders in the AP250cc at Round 1.   4. Bui Duy Thong moves up Making his debut in the Underbone class last year, Vietnamese rider Bui Duy Thong has confirmed his move to the 250cc category this season.