2017

PRESS RELEASE: ANDI GILANG TAKES FIRST TOP 5 FINISH IN JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AT ALBACETE

2017, Latest News /

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Astra Honda Racing Team rider makes great comeback to finish 5th in the first race of the season. Dimas Ekky finishes 6th in the Moto2 European Championship race and claims 10 points. Astra Honda Racing Team | Spain, Albacete Circuit | 04/30/2017   Andi Gilang and Dimas Ekky rounded off a positive weekend at Albacete with good results on raceday at the first round of the FIM CEV. After three days of practice amidst rainy and windy conditions, both riders took part in dry races. Gilang finished 5th -his best result thus far in the Moto3 Junior World Championship- and Dimas 6th in the Moto2 European Championship. In Moto3, Andi Gilang had a great performance in dry conditions, taking his first Top 5 finish in the class. Despite a difficult start that saw him relegated to 16th place, the Astra Honda Racing Team rider steadily made his way back up the order. After reaching the Top 10 on Lap 5, Gilang finished excellently, leading his group and moving into fifth on the line. The result allows him to add 11 points to his tally in the overall standings. The Moto2 race was a challenge for Dimas Ekky, starting from the front row for the first time in the FIM CEV. After a solid start, the Astra Honda Racing Team rider maintained third place on the first 6 laps. Despite suffering a knock to his right leg midway through the race, Dimas continued to fight to finish in sixth place and take his first 10 points of the year. The next round of the FIM CEV will coincide with the MotoGP French Grand Prix. Only the Moto3 Junior World Championship will race at Le Mans, between May 19th and 20th.   QUOTES “I am very happy with this result. I enjoyed the race a lot, I had a good pace and every lap was good. I lost a lot of places at the start and the front group broke away. I had to fight with other riders in my group, but little by little I was able to recover and finished fifth. We have taken some very important points for the championship; I’m looking forward to going to Le Mans for the next race.” Andi Gilang | AHRT MOTO3 RIDER   “It was raining from Thursday to Saturday and we had a good setup for those conditions. But today the track was dry; We tried some things out in the warm-up, but we still had room for improvement. In the race, I was comfortable during the first four laps, but then I struggled to keep up. Besides that, I took a knock to my right leg in the middle of the race. My goal was to be on the podium, but finishing sixth and taking my first points is good. Thanks to the team for all their support; We will try to be better at the next round and we will work hard to be on the podium, because I think that it is possible.” Dimas Ekky Pratama | AHRT MOTO2 RIDER   Photo credit : Astra Honda Racing Team[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/alb21.jpg”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/alb22.jpg”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/alb23.jpg”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/alb24.jpg”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/alb25.jpg”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/alb26.jpg”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/alb27.jpg”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/alb28.jpg”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/alb29.jpg”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

PRESS RELEASE: ANDI GILANG TAKES FIRST TOP 5 FINISH IN JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AT ALBACETE Read More »

PRESS RELEASE: ANGGI SETIAWAN JOIN VR46 RIDERS ACADEMY

2017, Latest News, Underbone 130 /

Anggi Setiawan Terpilih VR46 Riders Academy “ The Master Camp #3 ”, Bukti Sukses Didikan Yamaha Indonesia Wujud konsistensi pembinaan yang dijalin Yamaha Motor Company (YMC) dan VR46 Riders Academy kembali siap dinikmati para pembalap Yamaha Indonesia. Jadi setelah dua kali di tahun 2016 (Juli dan September), maka dalam waktu dekat akan diberangkatkan talenta muda Anggi Setiawan untuk program Yamaha VR46 Riders Academy “The Master Camp#3”. Acara press-conferencenya  dilaksanakan di Booth Yamaha Booth di IIMS 2017 (Indonesia International Motor Show 2017) yang notabene bertepatan dengan launching motor terbaru Yamaha New V-Ixion dan New V-Ixion R (27 April). Gelaran ini juga dihadiri oleh petarung-petarung The Master Camp tahun lalu (2016), Galang Hendra dan Imanuel Pratna. Mereka memberikan motivasi untuk Anggi Setiawan. Termasuk undangan spesial bagi Juara  UB130 (Asia Road Race Championship 2016), Wahyu Aji Trilaksana yang juga turut hadir. Patut dipahami, bahwa program pembinaan VR46 Riders Academy ini wajib memenuhi persyaratan usia 19 tahun ke bawah dan pastinya memiliki prestasi, baik di level nasional ataupun internasional. Sehubungan Anggi Setiawan, racer low-profile ini lahir dari Palu, Sulawesi Tengah (30 Juli 1988) dan memiliki segudang prestasi di balapan nasional mulai dari tahun 2014. Tahun ini sebagai rider baru yang mengikuti kategori UB150 ARRC 2017 (Asia Road Racing Championship 2017) dengan pacuan Yamaha MX King150. Berikut prestasi dari  Anggi Setiawan : Juara 3, UB150 ARRC 2 Seri 1 Johor, Malaysia (2017) Peringkat 2, Motoprix Region IV MP1 UB150cc (2016) Peringkat 1, Motoprix Region IV MP3 UB125cc (2015) Peringkat 1, Motoprix Region IV MP4 UB110cc (2015) Peringkat 2, Nasional Motoprix MP3 UB125cc (2015) Peringkat 2, Nasional Motoprix MP3 UB110cc (2015) Juara 1, Yamaha Cup Race YCR3 UB125 (2014) Juara 2, Asean Cup Race UB125cc (2014) Menjadi hal yang menarik dicermati karena untuk pertama kalinya, terpilih rider asal Sulawesi. Sebelumnya memang dari Jawa (Galang Hendra & Immanuel Pratna). Demikian sebagai bukti bahwa Yamaha Indonesia tidak hanya terfokus di Jawa dalam melihat potensi. Berlaku untuk semua penjuru wilayah Indonesia. “Yamaha Motor Indonesia konsisten untuk menjadikan “The Master Camp” sebagai jenjang karir dan pembibitan rider-rider muda. Saatnya rider dari Sulawesi tahun ini terpilih mengikuti     “The Master Camp #3 ”. Pastinya Anggi Setiawan adalah rider muda yang berpotensi hingga berkesempatan untuk ikut serta di program ini. Dengan persyaratan dari Yamaha Jepang yang bisa dipenuhi. Tentu saja, Anggi akan semakin banyak menimba pengalaman sehubungan upaya peningkatan skill balapnya. Jadi tidak hanya di balapan Asia saja. Ini adalah mimpi semua pebalap namun tidak semua bisa memperoleh kesempatan emas itu, sehingga yang bisa berguru disana  adalah pebalap istimewa, “ujar M Abidin, General Manager After Sales & Public Relation PT. Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing. Anggi Setiawan akan mengikuti program di Italia ini mulai tanggal 7 hingga 15 Mei 2017 nanti. Ia akan dilatih langsung oleh top rider Yamaha MotoGP, “The Doctor” Valentino Rossi. Mereka akan berlatih di Motor Ranch VR46, Tavullia menggunakan YZ250F dan YZF-R3 di San Misano Circuit. Sehubungan motor sport YZF-R3 menjadi kebanggaan tersendiri karena YZF-R3 adalah global model yang diproduksi oleh Yamaha Indonesia  dan memang sudah menjadi motor resmi yang digunakan oleh para pebalap yang berlatih di Yamaha|VR46 Riders Academy. Adapun agenda awalnya, dari Jakarta mendarat di Milan lalu berkunjung ke Kantor Pusat Yamaha Motor Racing (YMR) di kota Lesmo, Milan. Setelah itu ke Tavullia, lokasi berdirinya VR46 Riders Academy. Di Tavullia mereka menjalani latihan di sirkuit Flate Track Motor Ranch menunggangi YZ250F dan di sirkuit San Misano  menggeber YZF-R3. Latihan di Motor Ranch dan sirkuit San Misano, juga latihan fisik dan gym-training didampingi langsung Valentino Rossi dan instruktur VR46 Riders Academy lainnya. Tahun lalu, Galang Hendra dan Imanuel Pratna berlatih bersama dengan pebalap-pebalap Moto2 dan Moto3 binaan Valentino Rossi, mulai Luca Marini, Francesco Bagnaia, Niccolo Antonelli dan Andrea Migno. ”Ada banyak ilmu yang akan didapat Anggi Setiawan, baik teknik balap maupun pembelajaran teknis dan non teknis di dunia balap. Kami harapkan Anggi dapat menyerap semaksimal mungkin dan pulang membawa pengalaman yang akan bermanfaat untuk karir balapnya. Juga hal demikian menjadi motivasi bagi pebalap-pebalap  Indonesia lainnya, ” tutur Wahyu Rusmayadi, Manager tim Yamaha Racing Indonesia (YRI) yang akan turut serta mendampingi Anggi Setiawan. Source : Yamaha Racing Indonesia  http://www.yamaharacingindonesia.co.id/racing/news/detail?id=573

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PRESS RELEASE: THE ASIA ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP, A STEPPING STONE TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

2017, 2017 Round2, Asia Production 250, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) is the regional motorcycle road racing championship for Asia, which is being held since 1996 as an Asian-wide initiative to boost the development of the sport of motorcycle racing in the continent. This championship is part of the production-based category of racing, similar to the Superbike World Championship, British Supersport Championship and AMA Supersport Championship. Modified versions of road-going motorcycles which are available to the public are featured in the races. The Championship structure The championship is currently divided into three open-make classes and one mono-brand developmental classes. The open-make categories are the SuperSports 600cc, Asia Production 250cc and Underbone 150cc. Since 1997 the ARRC has been recognised for the Federation Internationale Motocyclisme (FIM) as the Asian continental championship for the FIM and has received its endorsement. The commercial rights are owned by Two Wheels Motor Racing, with FIM Asia as the sports sanctioning body. Each season consists of six rounds with two races organised per round. The championship tours in Asia but it is open to riders from all nationalities. ARRC 2017 season consists of 12 races at 5 circuits in 5 different Asian countries: Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and India. Dreaming of the MotoGP World Championship AHRT is at this moment participating in its fourth consecutive season in the ARRC. In the team’s first appearance in the AP250 class this year, Gerry Salim is leading the overall standings with 75 points and three wins out from four races. In the SS600 category, Irfan Ardiansyah has taken his first personal podium in the ARRC and is placing 7th in the general standings, with 35 points. For Anggono Iriawan, Senior Manager Safety Riding & Motor Sports PT. Astra Honda Motor (AHM), the team performance “is getting better. Not only are the riders improving their skills, but also the mechanics, which are mostly from Indonesia. For this season, we are certainly targeting the Asia Production 250cc class, where our goal is to become champions. ARRC is the best championship in Asia for road racing, with several circuits being used for world championships. I think the ARRC is a bridge for the riders to get to the World Championship. People may get to know them from national championships and then climb to the World Championship –and the highest championship in Asia is ARRC.” The leader’s ambition ARRC it is useful as a stepping stone for young riders, for instance Gerry Salim, who has started the season in an amazing form. This is how the AHRT rider evaluates de Asian competition: “This championship is great for the young riders development. For me, to perform in the AP250 class is a challenge; as I hope to become champion this season. It will be difficult as many top Asian riders also are competing in this class. Maybe if I am able to be the best in this Asian class, I will get the chance to go to Europe, as my dream is to race in MotoGP. I am also motivated to improve my skills and stamina, so that I could achieve the target which I have set for myself.” Two promising rookies His teammates in the AP250 class are Rheza Danica and Awhin Sanjaya, who are having great results in their first year in the championship. For Rheza, who took his first two podiums last weekend at the Chang International Circuit, the ARRC “is my first international racing event, after I competed in the Suzuka endurance race –but that’s only one series. Last season I raced in the National Championship so being in the ARRC means a step forward for me. To take part in the ARRC is quite meaningful, because not that often you can get a chance from Astra Honda Motor to race in Asia. I certainly will make the most of this opportunity.” “For sure, I am happy to get this opportunity, because the ARRC is a good championship in Asia. As a young rider, here I can improve my skills and gain a lot of experience. I am also trying to improve my results in every race. There is a lot of great Asian riders who compete in this championship, and racing against them can give me further experience. I hope that racing in the ARRC can open me the opportunity to compete in Europe and, especially, in the World Championship” Awhin says, as he had also arrived to the ARRC after taking part in the National Championship last year. Learning and improving Finally, there is the team’s only competitor in the SuperSports 600cc, Irfan Ardiansyah, who claims that “being in this class is a challenge for me; I want to give the best result possible to the Astra Honda Racing Team. The ARRC is very helpful for the young riders, as it is a way to improve your skills and gain experience by racing in international events and competing against experienced riders. But this also motivates me. Being able to take part in the ARRC is very meaningful to me. This will give me more experience for my racing career in the future, as I hope to compete in Europe and World Championship in the future.” Now the ARRC will take a break until June 3rd-4th, when the AHRT will meet again in the Suzuka International Circuit, Japan.   Photos from AHRT Media[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/chang22.jpg”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/johor18.jpg”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/origin12.jpg”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” custom_src=”http://www.prensasport.com/astrahonda/comunicado/links/johor19.jpg”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

PRESS RELEASE: THE ASIA ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP, A STEPPING STONE TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES Read More »

OFFICIAL STATEMENT – FIM ASIA

2017, 2017 Round2, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

FIM Asia Official Statement   ANTHONY WEST DAMPER AS TEAM AKENO SPEED REFUSES TO STRIP THE BIKE   SuperSports 600cc Bike No. 13, Anthony West (Akeno Speed Racing), was excluded from the results of Race 1 and Race 2 in Round 2 of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship that took place at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand on April 14 and 15, 2017.   Team Akeno Speed Racing had refused to strip the motorcycle at parc ferme for post-race scrutineering. This was an infringement of the technical procedures and was the cause for the disqualification.   The breakdown of the incident at Round 2 ARRC in Thailand was as follows:   1. Post-Race SuperSports 600cc   Time: 1600hrs ICT Race Category: SuperSports 600cc Location: Parc Ferme   After the SuperSports 600cc Race 2, the top three bikes (Bike No. 13, Bike No. 25 and Bike No. 24) were told to provide various parts of their engine for post-race scrutineering, a common procedure done at the end of every race weekend. There was no protest made by any of the teams with regards to the post-race scrutineering.   Team Mechanics for Bike No. 13 were against the order to do so.   2. Post-Scrutineering SuperSports 600cc   Time: 1705hrs ICT Race Category: SuperSports 600cc Location: Parc Ferme   At the end of the time stipulated to strip their engines, Team Mechanics for Bike No. 13 rolled the bike out of the scrutineering area in full comprehension that if they do so without stripping their engine, they will be disqualified.   Throughout the hour-long stipulated time, not a single bolt was removed from Bike No. 13.   Post-race Scrutineering finished with Bike No. 25 and Bike No. 24 – both teams had provided the necessary parts for inspection.       3. Issuance of Race Results   Provisional results were issued at 1548 hrs ICT pending the end of protest time.   An amended result was issued at 1723 hrs ICT for Race 2 at Round 2. Subsequently, an amended result for Race 1 at Round 2 was also made, because the post race scrutineering affects both races as the engines are sealed. Hence, any infringement on the technical side would affect results in both Race 1 and Race 2.   When the amended results were issued at 1723 hrs ICT, no protest were made against the amended results.     4. Technical Director   The Technical Director walked out therefore resigning his position at 1350 ICT during the post-race scrutineering for the Underbone 150cc motorcycles and prior to the SuperSports 600cc race. He was not present during the SuperSports 600cc Race 2.   His duties were continued by Mr. Somchow Thanawin, a licensed FIM Technical Steward (License No: 11344) for the remainder of the races.   5. FIM Asia Road Racing Championship   The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is organized to the standards as laid down by the FIM and the FIM Asia.  There was no injustice caused in any way to any participant or team. It is equally disappointing when accusations and assumptions were made without full understanding of the facts and proper processes of the rules laid in Motorsports that emphasizes the highest standards for sportsmanship and professionalism.     FIM ORIGINAL STATEMENT  

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PRESS RELEASE: BACK-TO-BACK PODIUMS FOR RHEZA DANICA IN THAILAND

2017, 2017 Round2, Asia Production 250, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Rheza stole the show during a 10-laps-race in the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, on Saturday. Starting from 4th position, he moved forward and had a battle for the victory with other two riders. Despite being a rookie in this class, Rheza was able to give fierce battle to his rivals. He even took eventually the lead on Lap 7. On the final lap, there were several overtaking actions between Rheza and his rivals. Right in the final corner, Rheza succeeded on beating one of his rivals and snatched the second place. This is the second podium in a row for the Indonesian rider, as he had finished third in yesterday’s first race. Awhin Sanjaya also had a good performance. Starting from 9th, the Indonesian rider was able to move up to 5th when entering Lap 3. In the last five laps, he took the 4th position and was able to maintain this place until he crossed the finish line. Meanwhile, Gerry Salim had an unfortunate day. He couldn’t participate in the second race due to a technical problem in his bike. However, he is still leading the championship standings with 75 points. Rheza moves up to 4th with 60 points, and Awhin to 5th with 43 points. Irfan Ardiansyah faced a tough race in the SuperSports 600cc class, but he kept motivated and was able to finish in 14th and take home two points. Irfan is now in 7th position of the championship standings with 35 points. The third round of ARRC will be held at Suzuka International Circuit, Japan, on June 3rd and 4th, 2017.   QUOTES “I’m very sad with the unfortunate event that occured today ahead of the second race. The team worked hard to prepare my bike, but I found out that my bike had problems during the out lap to the starting grid. This is racing, anything can happen and I will keep my spirit to be better in the next round.” Gerry Salim | AHRT ASIA PRODUCTION 250CC RIDER     “I’m so glad to finish second this race. The race was very hard from the beginning, I had several fights with the other riders. In the last lap, I made a mistake and was down to third. But finally in the last corner I was able to overtake one rider and take the second place. I will try to improve this result in the next race.” Rheza Danica | AHRT ASIA PRODUCTION 250CC RIDER     “I’m quite happy with today’s race, because the result is better than in the first one. I had evaluated my mistakes from the first race and the results were quite good. Thank you to all mechanics and team who have prepared my bike. And also thank you to all partners: IDEMITSU, KYT, FIFAstra, NGK, Showa, for the support.” Awhin Sanjaya | AHRT ASIA PRODUCTION 250CC RIDER     “The second race wasn’t like I had planned. I had technical problems on my bike, so I had to start from the pit lane. I tried my best and never gave up despite coming from behind. I tried also to give the best result to AHRT team and to my country, Indonesia. Thank you for all the support, I will try harder in the next round.” Irfan Ardiansyah | AHRT ASIASUPERSPORTS 600CC RIDER

PRESS RELEASE: BACK-TO-BACK PODIUMS FOR RHEZA DANICA IN THAILAND Read More »

PRESS RELEASE: FUJITA WINS RACE 2, WHILE GUNAWARDENA TAKES FIRTS PODIUM FOR SRI LANKA IN ARRC

2017, 2017 Round2, Latest News, Suzuki Asian Challenge /

SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE (SAC) finished its 2nd round of the 2017 season, which was held at Chang International Circuit locaited in Buriram, Thailand. Race 2 progressed in similar fashion as Race 1 which was held the previous day. Almost all riders raced in a tight pack until the end of the race. Local favorites, #18 Patis Chooprathet and #78 Punchana Kulrojchalalai took the lead at first, but with almost all riders in one pack, the lead changed at almost every turn. The excitement continued until the final corner of the final lap. 11 riders jumped into the final corner to take the win, but with one faller taking out an another rider with him, 6 more riders fell. #17 Tetsuya Fujita (Japan) made a manueuver that made him clear of the multiple crash, and won the Race. #46 Aaron Alexander Gunawardena (Sri Lanka) came in 2nd, making Gunawardena the first Sri Lankan rider to be on the ARRC podium. Finishing in 3rd was #11 Ahmad Saugi Muchtar of Indonesia. Round 3 of the SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE will be held in conjunction the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, at Suzuka Circuit in Mie, Japan on 2nd – 4th June, 2017. 2017 SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE Round 2 Race 2 Results 1. #17 Tetsuya Fujita (Japan) 2. #46 Aaron Alexander Gunawardena (Sri Lanka) 3. #11 Ahmad Saugi Muchtar (Indonesia) 4. #76 Chepy Armansyah (Indonesia) 5. #16 April King H. Mascardo (Philippines) 6. #18 Patis Chooprathet (Thailand) 7. #27 Nur Al Fath Sam Ahmad (Indonesia) 8. #96 Bikram Thapa (Nepal) 9. #78 Punchana Kulrojchalalai (Thailand) 10. #32 Prahbu Arunagiri (India) 11. #33 K.Y. Ahamed (India) 12. #29 Mario Borbon U. Jr. (Philippines) ————————————————————————- DNF #22 Eane Jaye S. Sobretodo (Philippines) DNF #43 Edward Faulkhead (Australia)was #11 Ahmad Saugi Muchtar (Indonesia).     QUOTES “I concentrated on being in the top group throughout the race. The race went as I planned, but I didn’t expect myself to be on the tail of the group on the final lap. However, the riders in front of me fell on the final corner, and I saw an opening, so I took it and was able to win the race. The next race at Suzuka would be a race in my home country, so I hope I can show the local race fans a good race.” #17 Tetsuya Fujita | Race 2 Winner     “It was an exciting race again today. Aaron became the first Sri Lankan rider to be on the ARRC podium, so I am happy about that. Tetsu has been improving each session. He had a 2nd place finish in Round 1, and now have won a race in Round 2, so he’s on a roll, and look forward to see what he can do at Suzuka. I want to thank Patis for accepting my invitation to ride with the SAC boys. It didn’t quite go as planned for him at the race, but he was really fast in every session, and I am sure that his presence made the SAC riders improve in many ways. The next round is at Suzuka, which is a very technical track. It is also located in my home country, and wish all of you for your continuous support.” Yukio Kagayama | General Manager     “The riders showed us an exciting battle to the very end. The characteristics of the track made it easy for us to predict this kind of race, but I am sorry to see the multiple crash on final lap, caused by some unreasonable riders. I am just relieved that no one was seriously injured. The youngest 13 year olds finished in 1-2, so I think it describes well what are development program is about.” Shunji Yatsushiro | Rider Coach

PRESS RELEASE: FUJITA WINS RACE 2, WHILE GUNAWARDENA TAKES FIRTS PODIUM FOR SRI LANKA IN ARRC Read More »

WEST DISQUALIFIED; AZLAN IS BIG WINNER FROM ROUND 2

2017, 2017 Round2, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

With air temperatures of 36 degrees and a track temperature of 45 degrees, Race 2 looked likely to deliver another drama at the Chang International Circuit, Round 2 host venue of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. There was plenty of drama from the onset of the race. Astra Honda’s Irfan Ardiansyah endured a nail-biting wait in the pitlane as his team engineers worked frantically for him to join the race from pitlane. Thai rider Chalermpol Polamai jumped the start from the outside for the front row, streaking away from the rest of the field. Manual Tech Kawasaki’s Ahmad Yudhistira tucked his Kawasaki into second position but was constantly harassed by Yamaha Thailand rider Decha Kraisart and Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi of MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda. Chalermpol came in for his ride-through penalty on lap three and Decha pushed his way past the leading Kawasaki as they came through the final turn to begin lap 4. Yudhistira fought back hard, but the determined Decha had enough pace to stretch out a half second lead as they began lap 5. Meanwhile Azlan, Zaidi and Yuki Ito got past Yudhistira, who recovered quickly to push his way back into third in front of Ito, Anthony West and Zaqhwan, these being seven seconds clear of Ratthapong Wilairot in seventh position. Looking like a man with a plan for the second half of the race, West got through to a secure third began to close on Azlan, passing the Malaysian cleanly on the brakes into Turn 4 on lap 12. The Australian kept his pace up and closed in on Decha, taking the lead on the brakes at the end of the same lap into turn 12. He was unable to break away, however, with Decha and Azlan pushing him hard all around the circuit. On the last lap, Azlan slid up the inside of Decha into Turn 4 to take second, but they were three abreast as they squeezed the brakes hard into the final corner. Decha put everything on the line, but ran wide leaving West and Azlan to take first and second. However, the Australian rider was subsequently disqualified from the results of both Race 1 and Race 2 due to an infringement of technical procedure. This left Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman as the big winner from Round 2. Having won Race 1 on Friday, Azlan was promoted to the top of the timesheets for Race 2 with a time of 30’00.670s. Decha Kraisart went from third to second with 30’01.825s. Zaqhwan Zaidi won a tense battle for third with 30’03.201s, ahead of Ahmad Yudhistira and Yuki Ito.  Taiga Hada finished sixth, 18 seconds further behind, with Keminth Kubo, Tatsuya Yamaguchi, Ratthapong Wilairot and Tatsuya Yamaguchi completing the top ten. Chalermpol fought back to 14thafter his penalty, 38 seconds behind the winner and took the honours for fastest lap with a time of 1:39.755.

WEST DISQUALIFIED; AZLAN IS BIG WINNER FROM ROUND 2 Read More »

YAMAMOTO KEEPS HIS COOL TO WIN RACE 2

2017, 2017 Round2, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The Asia Production 250 drama began on the grid in Race 2, when Gerry Salim’s Astra Honda suffered a mechanical failure and was pushed from the front row of the grid and back into the pit box at Chang International Circuit.   Takehiro Yamamoto got a better start than he had in Race 1 and followed Yamaha Thailand’s Anuparb Sarmoon into Turn 1 before powering into the lead on the long haul up to Turn 3, chased by the rest of the pack. He held onto first place until the beginning of lap 2, crossing the line ahead of Rheza Danica Ahrens, Anuparb and Galang Hendra Pratama.  By lap 3 Yamamoto, Rheza and Anuparb had broken clear of Pratama, who began to fall back into the clutches of the second group, which was being led by Awhin Sanjaya and Tomoyoshi Koyama. By the fifth lap Yamamoto and Anuparb had put several bike lengths between themselves and Rheza, but the Astra Honda man clawed his way back, hitting the front on lap eight. These three were so evenly paced that the only thing to choose between them was the speed of the Hondas on the fast sections. To make up for his top speed disadvantage, the clever Anuparb altered his lines to ensure he was exiting the turns faster than his rivals so he could get the slipstream he needed to stay in contact. On the last lap the Thai lost his momentum avoiding a mistake by Rheza and Yamamoto took the opportunity to open a big enough gap to avoid a last corner scramble for the chequered flag. Behind him, Anuparb pushed his R6 up the inside of Rheza to force him off line, but went wide himself in the process, conceding second place to the Honda.  Ten seconds further back the second group was led home by Awhin from Yusuke Nakamura, Pratama, Koyama, Peerapong Boonlert and Vorapong Malahuan who again outperformed for AP Honda on the single cylinder CBR. It was a champion’s performance by the Sidrap Honda Ikazuchi rider who, over the full season has an excellent chance to win the 250cc crown for a second time.

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WAHYU WEATHERS THE SWARM TO WIN RACE 2

2017, 2017 Round2, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

After a disappointing Race 1, Wahyu Trelaksana made a flying start from the back of the grid in Race 2 at Chang International Circuit and made his way to the front of the pack by the end of the first lap. Together with Anggi Setiawan, Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam, Akid Aziz and Haziq Fairues, the 2016 Underbone champion set a hot pace. They briefly created space between themselves and the pursuing group, but were reeled back in quickly to make a cluster of ten potential race winners. With the lead swapping continuously, Wahyu crossed the line first at the end of the eighth and final lap with half a wheel ahead of Anggi and Akid, but the rest of the field caught up in the slipstream on the Thai Circuit’s two long straights. The Indonesian champion kept his head among the weaving bunch, secured himself the best line into the final turn and took what is, for this class a comfortable victory of 0.231 of a second. Akid grabbed second place from Hafieenaz Ali and Izzat, who finished the width of a front tyre in front of Tengku, to take fourth place. The first nine finished within 1.6 seconds. Any remaining regrets about replacing the venerable and much loved 130cc bikes with the 150cc fuel injected machines will have vanished after race long, all-out action the class has served up in the first four races of the season at Johor and Buriram.

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NEW WINNERS IN SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE

2017, 2017 Round2, Latest News, Suzuki Asian Challenge /

Race 2 at the Chang International Circuit brought new winners into the spotlight in the Suzuki Asian Challenge category. Chopping and changing at every turn, the 7-lap race in the Suzuki developmental series had always been heading for a last-lap last-corner shoot out. With the top-10 riders bunched up together at a very crowded Turn 12, mayhem ensued when Indian rider KY Ahamed lost control and bowled into the leading group. The crash took out Punchana Kulrojchalalai, Prabhu Arunagiri, and Mario Borbon Junior although everyone managed to pick up their bikes to still cross the finish line. While confusion reigned at the last corner, Japanese rider Tetsuya Fujita darted neatly across the finish line in first place. Behind him, Aaron Gunawardena chalked up the first podium for Sri Lanka in the Asia Road Racing Championship series. Ahmad Saugi Muchtar from Indonesia finished third.

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