2017

OFFICIAL STATEMENT : AYUMU TANAKA

2017, 2017 Round4, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Following an incident during the SuperSports 600cc Practice 3 for Round 4 of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, rider #82 Ayumu Tanaka is reported to be stable and conscious. The incident, which brought out the red flag, occured 12 minutes before the end of Practice 3. Tanaka was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital where he had undergone precautionary checks. He has since been transferred to the Siloam Hospital in Jakarta for further observations. On behalf of the Asia Road Racing officials, teams, and riders, we ask that you join us in wishing Tanaka a speedy recovery.

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SUPERSPORTS 600cc: CHALLENGING TRACK CONDITIONS NO OBSTACLE FOR ZIPPY ZAQHWAN

2017, 2017 Round4, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Deteriorating track conditions at the Sentul International Circuit proved to be no hindrance for Malaysian rider, Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi. The MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda rider took provisional pole in the first day of practice sessions as Round 4 of the Idemitsu Asia Road Racing Championship got underway this weekend. Zaqhwan, 22, posted a time of 1’30.509s, ahead of a pack of mixed riders. The SuperSports 600cc defending champion attributed the bumpy track conditions to the slower laptimes being chalked up during the first day of practice. Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing duo Ahmad Yudhistira and the still injured Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman were second and third fastest respectively with times of 1’30.512 and 1’30.573. Azlan had yet to fully recover from the hand injury sustained during Round 3 in Suzuka, and is bracing himself for a rough race ahead. SuperSports 600cc dark horse Taiga Hada clocked fourth fastest with 1’30.742s. Decha Kraisart was the fastest of the Yamahas. The Yamaha Thailand Racing rider was fifth fastest with 1’30.858s. Yuki Ito, Chalermpol Polamai and Ratthapong Wilairot were sixth, seventh and eighth respectively. Dimas Ekky Pratama, who replaced Irfan Ardiansyah for the Indonesian round, logged ninth fastest followed by Anthony West at the tail end of the top-10. Malaysian wildcard rider, Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin made his SuperSports 600cc debut in 13th fastest with 1’32.318s.

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ASIA PRODCUTION 250cc: INDONESIAN HOME CONTINGENT A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

2017, 2017 Round4, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The Indonesian home contingent took no prisoners in the Asia Production 250cc category at Round 4 of the Idemitsu Asia Road Racing Championship held at the Sentul International Circuit on August 11 to 13.  Championship leader Gerry Salim led the all-Indonesian front row with a fastest time of 1’42.767s. Gerry’s team mate, Rheza Danica Ahrens, was half a second slower with 1’43.476s. Yamaha Racing Indonesia’s Rey Ratukore clocked third fastest with 1’43.671s. Andi Farid Izdihar logged fourth fastest with a time of 1’43.936s. He was trailed by Tomoyoshi Koyama who posted 1’44.137s. The Asia Production 250cc class featured a 33-rider grid in Indonesia. Among the notable wildcards included former Moto2 rider and ARRC Underbone champion,  Rafid Topan Sucipto. Racing for team Yamaha Indonesia B, Rafid’s best time after the first day of practice was 1’45.116s, more than two seconds off the leading pace.

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UNDERBONE 150cc: WILDCARD SURPRISE

2017, 2017 Round4, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

As Round 4 of the Idemitsu Asia Road Racing Championship got underway at the Sentul Circuit in Indonesia, wildcard rider Richard Taroreh served up a surprise in the Underbone 150cc when he emerged as the fastest rider with 1’49.860s. The Yamaha Yamalube Jasti Putra Usaha Jaya NHK 549 Kaboci rider came in on a strong note when he clocked sixth fastest during the morning free practice and followed up with a big finish during the qualifier. Richard was only one of two riders to run a 1’49s lap. The other was Malaysian Azroy Hakeem Anuar of team Yuzy Honda Vietnam Racing.  Another wildcard rider, also gave the full-season competitors a run for their money. Owie Nurhuda, racing under team Yamaha Yamalube KYT TJM Racetech colours, posted third fastest with 1’50.243s. Malaysian duo Mohd Izzat Zaidi and Mohd Haziq Mohd Fairues rounded up the top five. Further down the field, Anggi Setiawan, Decky Tiamo Aldy, Tengku Amirul Haffiruddin, Wahyu Widodo and championship leader Wahyu Aji Trilaksana clocked within the top 10, and will be making an appearance at the SuperPole session where they will fight for their final starting positions.

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SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE: INDONESIAN DOMINATION CONTINUES

2017, 2017 Round4, Latest News, Suzuki Asian Challenge /

Round 4 of the 2017 Idemitsu Asia Road Racing Championship, held at the Sentul International Circuit in Indonesia, looks set to be the favourite hunting ground for the home-grown heroes.  The Indonesian riders topped the timesheets in the Asia Production 250cc and Underbone 150cc. Similarly, Ahmad Saugi Muchtar grabbed provisional pole in the Suzuki Asian Challenge with a fast lap of 1’59.672s. Ahmad Saugi was the only contender to lap below the 2-minute mark. Tetsuya Fujita seemed to be threatening. The Japanese rider emerged as second fastest among the 15-rider line-up with 2’00.252s. Championship leader Punchana Kulrojchalalai clocked in third fastest with 2’00.284s. Returning as a wildcard this season, 2016 Suzuki Asian Challenge Champion Jefri Tosema, proved that he still had the chops to coax the best out of the Suzuki GSX-R150. Jefri was fourth fastest with 2’00.458s. Another Indonesian rider, Chepy Armansyah, made it into the top five with 2’01.024s. Early championship leaders April King Mascardo dropped to sixth on the timesheets. Nur Al Fath, Eane Jaye Sobretodo, Mario Borbon Jr and Edward Faulkhead also lapped within the top 10.

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ANDI GILANG AND DIMAS EKKY TO MAKE STELLAR APPEARANCE AT SENTUL

2017, 2017 Round4, Latest News /

This weekend, the Sentul International Circuit will host the fourth event of the Asia Road Racing Championship –the most important event of the season for the Astra Honda Racing Team. The team’s home race will see them running two star stand-ins for the injured AP250 rider Awhin Sanjaya and SS600 rider Irfan Ardiansyah: FIM CEV competitors Andi Gilang and Dimas Ekky. The duo will complete a stellar lineup of four riders, as they join regulars Gerry Salim and Rheza Danica. In the Asia Production 250cc class, the main goal is to take the first victory for an Indonesian rider at Sentul. With the support of his fans, series leader Gerry Salim will try to defend his 20-point advantage in the standings, with Andi Gilang and Rheza Danica also aspiring to victory on their CBR250RR machines. Gerry already has a winning record in Indonesia from last year in the SS600 class, whilst Rheza has won in Sentul in the National Championship. Dimas Ekky will return to the ARRC with a SuperSports 600cc class that he knows well, after completing practically the entire season in 2016 and finishing 7th. The two podiums he took that season were both obtained at Sentul, where he finished 2nd and 3rd. Dimas will come into the event in top form, having recently participated in the FIM CEV at Estoril and in the Suzuka 8 Hours. Alongside the event, there will be a riding demonstration of the Honda RC213V-S, the street version of the MotoGP bike, in Sentul which will be accessible to all attendees. This year races will be held: Saturday and Sunday at 14:05 –AP250– and 15:05 –SS600– local time, in which the Indonesian fans are expected to spur their riders in an important round for the country.     QUOTE “The Sentul Circuit is so meaningful in my career. Last year, I became the first Indonesian to achieve a double podium at the SuperSports 600cc class. This year, I’m determined to repeat that success and become the first Indonesian to win in Sentul for the first time in the AP250 class. I’m optimistic that with team support and the Honda CBR250RR I will achieve it.” Gerry Salim | AHRT ASIA PRODUCTION 250CC RIDER   “The race at home will definitely have different nuances. The support of thousands of spectators will give us additional motivation. I don’t want to disappoint the great support of PT Astra Honda Motor, my family and also all the people who is supporting me. I will give my maximum to bring glory to Indonesia in AP250 class.” Rheza Danica | AHRT ASIA PRODUCTION 250CC RIDER   “I have been able to see the competitiveness of the CBR250RR throughout the ARRC competition so far, but now I will try it by myself. I can’t wait to race again in Sentul. I want to get the best result that I can and prove the greatness of CBR250RR.” Andi Gilang | AHRT ASIA PRODUCTION 250CC RIDER   “It’s great to be back at home, with all the people who is always supporting us. Although this year I’m focusing on the FIM CEV, I remain optimistic to get a good result in this Sentul round. I want to make the most of this opportunity; I will work hard to adapt again to the Honda CBR600RR.” Dimas Ekky Pratama | AHRT SUPERSPORTS 600CC RIDER

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SENTUL IN NUMBERS

2017, 2017 Round4, Latest News /

One of the original trio of host venues from the early days of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, the Sentul International Circuit is the only one still in the championship calendar of the new era. The Idemitsu Asia Road Racing Championship, Round 4 of the 2017 season, will be the 25th round to be held at Sentul. The Indonesian circuit has witnessed every single race category in the evolution of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. In all, 111 races of the Asia Road Racing Championship had been held at the Sentul International Circuit. Here are the list of winners who have chalked up success at the circuit: The Indonesian riders’ supremacy and intimate knowledge of the circuit has given them a stranglehold on the top spot of the Sentul podium. Indonesian riders have notched up 41 wins on homeground. However, Japanese rider Toshiyuki Hamaguchi holds the record for highest number of individual wins at Sentul – he logged 14 wins at the the Indonesian venue.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: CHANGE OF DATE AND VENUE FOR ROUND 5

2017, Latest News /

There has been a slight change to the 2017 calendar, specifically pertaining to the Indian leg of the series (Round 5). The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship would like to announce that Round 5 will be held at the Madras Motor Race Track in Chennai from September 22 to 24, 2017. Originally slated to be held again at the Buddh Circuit in New Delhi, the venue is not available due to circumstances outside of the championship’s control. The latest calendar is now as follows: 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship Race Calendar Round 1 – April 1 & 2, 2017 – Johor Circuit, Malaysia Round 2 – April 14 & 15, 2017 – Chang International Circuit, Thailand Round 3 – June 3 & 4, 2017 – Suzuka Circuit, Japan Round 4 – August 12 & 13, 2017 – Sentul Circuit, Indonesia Round 5 – September 23 & 24, 2017 – Madras Motor Race Track, India Round 6 – December 2 & 3, 2017 – Chang International Circuit, Thailand

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STRONG COMEBACK FROM WEST; BUT KAGAYAMA STEALS THE SPOTLIGHT

2017, 2017 Round3, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

A controversial second round in Thailand behind him, Australian rider Anthony West made a strong comeback into the SuperSports 600cc class of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship when he bagged a double win at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan. The Akeno Speed rider put in a smart performance throughout the 13-lap race. A slow start placed him squarely in the middle of the chasing swarm but the experienced rider took his time as he picked one competitor off after another. The race pace heated up on Lap 4 when West arrived at the sharp end of the pack. The lead changed hands several times but on Lap 11, West was able to create a small gap at the front while Japanese compatriots Yuki Ito and Taiga Hada were engrossed with fighting for P2. The Australian rider finally crossed the finish line with a time of 28’56.621s to clinch a double victory at the Suzuka Circuit.  Yamaha Racing’s Yuki Ito had been strong throughout the Suzuka weekend, consistently making it to the front end of the timesheets. However, Ito was unable to hold back West’s progress in both races, and eventually settled for a double podium in second place with 28’56.985s. However, it was Yukio Kagayama who really stole the limelight in the second race. He entered as a wildcard entry, but none of the riders had ever discounted his abilities to score big. In Race 2, Kagayama lived up to his top billings with a stunning performance that saw him go from 10th on the grid to third at the flag. Kagayama popped up among the top five on Lap 9. His superior experience and race craft was clearly evident as he finessed his way around the difficult Suzuka Circuit. While Ito and young Japanese rider Taiga Hada tried to put up a spirited defense, Kagayama outwitted the younger riders at the last chicane when he nipped into third place and raced to the chequered flag with a time of 28’57.588s. Taiga Hada was relegated to fourth, followed by Chalermpol Polamai in fifth. Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi finished sixth, one spot ahead of polesitter Ikuhiro Enokido. AP Honda Racing duo Tatsuya Yamaguchi and Ratthapong Wilairot occupied eighth and ninth spots respectively. Meanwhile, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman whose performance clearly suffered due to his injured hand, finished 10th, enough to keep him at the top of the championship standings with a total of 102 points. Yuki Ito climbed to second overall position with 83 points followed by MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda’s Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi third with 80 points. Team Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing continues to hold down the fort at the top of the team standings with 102 points. Title defenders MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda is now ranked second with 88 points and team RAMA Honda by NTS T.Pro Ten 10 third with 84 points.

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DOUBLE WIN FOR GERRY SALIM

2017, 2017 Round3, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Gerry Salim’s decision to stay focused on his title chase in the Asia Production 250cc class paid off in a big way at Round 3 in the Suzuka Circuit. After a convincing win in Round 1, Gerry followed up with a double victory to cap off a successful weekend. Race 2 of the Asia Production 250cc class sped off with Gerry in the holeshot. This time, Takehiro Yamamoto made an early bid for the lead. This time, there was no waiting around for the final lap. Gerry and Yamamoto went at it tongs and hammers fighting for the lead at every single corner. On Lap 4, Rheza Danica Ahrens, team mate of Gerry Salim, snuck into the fray and turned the fight into a three-way battle. Behind the group, Yamaha Thailand’s Anupab Sarmoon rode the wheels off his R25 trying to keep pace with the speedier Hondas. The battle went right down to the wire with five riders neck-to-neck at the final chicane. Rheza out-braked himself and crashed heavily at the last corner, inadvertently taking out Yamamoto with him. Gerry gunned the throttle to his second double victory with a time of 19’58.335s, 0.709s ahead of the rest of the field. With Yamamoto and Rheza out of the picture, Anupab Sarmoon celebrated his fifth podium finish of the season in second place with 19’59.044s. Team RAMA Honda’s Tomoyoshi Koyama finished third with 19’59.074s. After Round 3, Gerry has successfully extended his lead at the top of the standings, holding 125 points against Takehiro Yamamoto who is second overall with 105 points. Anupab Sarmoon, who has been consistent throughout the first half of the 2017 season, is third overall with 92 points. Gerry’s win also translated to continued domination for team Astra Honda Racing. The Indonesian factory race outfit leads the team title chase with 145 points. Team Sidrap Honda Ikazuchi is second with 105 points and Yamaha Thailand Racing third with 92 points.

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