2018 Test

STRONG KAWASAKI PRESENCE AS PRE-SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE

2018, 2018 Test, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Team Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing looks to have upped their game as the pre-season test of the 2018 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship drew to a close. Defending champion Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman again topped the timesheets with a best time of 1’38.691s.   Predictably, Decha Kraisart from the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team was also a consistent performer at the top of the grid. Decha ended the test session second fastest with 1’38.839s.   Azlan’s team mate Ahmad Yudhistira was third fastest with 1’39.037s while Malaysian rider Zaqhwan Zaidi posted fourth fastest. Yuki Ito, riding the new Yamaha R6, rounded up the top five with 1’39.149s.   Ratthapong Wilairot improved on his personal time at the Chang International Circuit with 1’39.303s. He ranked sixth fastest after the pre-season tests followed by Keminth Kubo, Taiga Hada, the returning Tomoyoshi Koyama, and rookie rider Azroy Hakeem Anuar in the top 10.  POS  NO  NAME P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 FASTEST 1 25 Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman 1’39.259 1’39.132 1’38.936 1’38.875 1’38.691 1’38.691 2 24 Decha Kraisart 1’40.925 1’39.928 1’39.132 1’39.240 1’38.839 1’39.015 1’38.839 3 33 Ahmad Yudhistira 1’39.694 1’39.675 1’39.197 1’39.037 1’39.283 1’39.037 4 21 Zaqhwan Zaidi 1’39.749 1’39.190 1’39.466 1’39.042 1’39.146 1’39.555 1’39.042 5 76 Yuki Ito – 1’39.968 1’39.332 1’39.149 1’39.664 1’39.149 6 56 Ratthapong Wilairot 1’42.290 1’39.727 1’39.303 1’40.235 1’39.675 1’40.398 1’39.303 7 64 Keminth Kubo – 1’41.501 1’40.084 1’39.359 1’39.734 1’39.359 8 23 Taiga Hada 1’40.739 1’40.307 1’40.038 1’39.935 1’40.213 1’39.547 1’39.547 9 71 Tomoyoshi Koyama 1’42.493 1’40.902 1’39.877 1’39.775 1’40.174 1’39.877 10 20 Azroy Hakeem Anuar 1’42.719 1’41.049 1’40.825 1’40.112 1’40.888 1’40.112 11 27 Andi Farid Izdihar 1’41.662 1’40.203 1’40.406 1’40.297 1’40.213 1’40.265 1’40.203 12 32 Ramdan Rosli 1’56.916 1’44.856 1’40.779 1’40.687 1’40.206 1’40.206 13 127 Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin 1’44.248 1’41.666 1’41.192 1’40.755 1’40.587 1’40.047 1’40.587 14 88 Keisuke Kurihara 1’42.437 1’41.509 1’41.158 1’40.615 1’41.669 1’40.783 1’40.615 15 123 Passawit Thitivararak 1’42.604 1’41.365 1’41.269 1’40.832 1’41.425 1’41.140 1’40.832 16 16 Irfan Ardiansyah 1’42.343 1’41.012 1’41.044 1’40.871 1’41.018 1’40.886 1’40.871 17 92 Muzakkir Mohamed 1’45.566 1’43.218 1’42.669 1’41.790 1’41.790 18 66 Ibrahim Norrodin 1’46.432 1’45.292 1’43.810 1’43.229 1’42.908 1’42.321 1’42.321 19 80 Amirul Hafiq Azmi 1’44.086 1’43.131 1’43.501 1’43.131

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RATTHAPONG SHOCKER

2018, 2018 Test, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Just when we thought that silly season was finally over, the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team made a last-minute announcement that took many Thai fans by surprise – Ratthapong Wilairot will be racing for the Yamaha marquee in 2018.   The announcement made shockwaves through the Thai social media. Fans expressed their disbelief. Media outlets and sports influencers scrambled to verify the news. Why? Because the Wilairot family has had a relationship with Honda that stretched back to the mid-90s. Ratthapong’s father, the late Christmas Wilairot, was one of AP Honda’s top riders in the ARRC. On to the next generation, Ratthapong’s elder brother, Ratthapark Wilairot, followed the Honda route right up to the Moto2 class of the MotoGP and is now contracted as coach for the AP Honda Racing Team.   As the Asian paddock converge for the pre-season test prior to the season opener this weekend, Ratthapong looks to have settled in comfortably with his new team. The 26-year-old will partner 2-times SuperSports 600cc Champion Decha Kraisart.   Working alongside a seasoned campaigner like Decha could possibly be the best thing for Ratthapong’s race craft. We lay out a comparison between Ratthapong’s 2017 laptimes at the Chang International Circuit versus the pre-season test laptimes:   2017 – Round 2 2017 – Round 6 2018 Pre-Season FP1 – 1’41.496 FP2 – 1’41.323 FP3 – 1’41.111 QP – 1’39.705 R1 – 1’40.325 R2 – 1’40.551 FP1 – 1’40.737 FP2 – FP3 – 1’40.015 QP – 1’39.916 R1 – 1’40.115 R2 – 1’40.160 P1 – 1’42.290 P2 – 1’39.727 P3 – 1’39.303 P4 – 1’40.235 P5 – 1’39.675 P6 – 1’40.398

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MIXED BAG OF RIDERS FROM THE AP250 TEST

2018, 2018 Test, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The Asia Production 250cc pre-season test had yielded a mix bag of results heading into the first round this weekend.   The Yamaha Thailand Racing Team’s Anupab Sarmoon still holds the advantage as the fastest rider on the grid with 1’52.938s.   Indonesian Rafid Topan Sucipto, returning to the Asian series after a stint in the Moto2 World Championships, proved to be competitive as he clocked the second fastest time of 1’53.168s.   Muklada Sarapuech stayed consistent in third with 1’53.181s.   Most impressive were the Indonesian newcomers. Yamaha Racing Indonesia’s Richard Taroreh emerged as the fourth fastest rider after the test session with 1’53.401s. Look out for Astra Honda Racing Team’s ‘Super’ Mario Suryo Aji. Only 14 years old, he is the youngest rider to ever attempt the Asia Production 250cc class and is already fifth fastest with 1’53.733s.   Mario’s results will put team mate Rheza Danica Ahrens under pressure. Rheza, who enjoyed an equally successful debut year in 2017, now holds the responsibility of defending the team’s AP250 title. He posted sixth fastest ahead of Kritchaporn Kaewsonthi, Kanatat Jaiman, Awhin Sanjaya and Peerapong Boonlert.      POS  NO  NAME P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 FASTEST 1 500 Anupab Sarmoon 1’55.538 1’53.180 1’53.273 1’53.122 1’52.938 1’53.285 1’52.938 2 250 Rafid Topan Sucipto 1’57.834 1’56.031 1’55.537 1’54.163 1’53.168 1’53.975 1’53.168 3 44 Muklada Sarapuech 1’56.651 1’54.559 1’54.986 1’54.641 1’53.181 1’53.181 4 179 Richard Taroreh 1’57.043 1’55.346 1’55.307 1’53.401 1’53.801 1’54.838 1’53.401 5 16 Mario Suryo Aji 1’58.236 1’55.056 1’54.437 1’54.467 1’53.820 1’53.733 1’53.733 6 123 Rheza Danica Ahrens 1’55.272 1’54.347 1’53.779 1’54.129 1’54.216 1’54.315 1’53.779 7 35 Kritchaporn Kaewsonthi 1’56.524 1’58.019 1’55.847 1’54.698 1’54.625 1’53.780 1’53.780 8 90 Kanatat Jaiman 1’55.830 1’55.264 1’55.517 1’54.474 1’54.440 1’53.957 1’53.957 9 198 Awhin Sanjaya 1’56.623 1’55.203 1’54.682 1’55.707 1’54.540 1’54.121 1’54.121 10 45 Peerapong Boonlert 1’55.390 1’54.498 1’54.124 1’54.940 1’54.189 1’54.128 1’54.124 11 108 Andy Muhammad Fadly 1’55.338 1’55.584 1’55.211 1’54.871 1’54.200 1’55.482 1’54.200 12 901 M. Faerozi 1’57.658 1’56.713 1’55.597 1’54.481 1’54.438 1’54.713 1’54.438 13 96 Anggi Setiawan 1’57.081 1’57.245 1’55.865 1’55.623 1’55.095 1’55.207 1’55.095 14 50 Ahmad Afif Amran 2’05.109 1’59.414 1’58.080 1’57.577 1’56.451 1’55.209 1’55.209 15 30 Hafiz Nor Azman 1’59.994 2’00.199 1’58.181 2’28.451 1’56.165 1’56.165 16 80 Sethu Rajiv 1’59.131 1’56.667 1’58.610 1’57.224 1’57.155 1’57.518 1’56.667 17 888 Chiou Ke-Lung 2’00.792 1’59.932 1’57.410 1’58.766 1’57.924 1’57.711 1’57.410 18 410 Suzuki Takashi 2’45.715 2’03.826 2’01.312 1’58.356 1’57.456 1’57.831 1’57.456 19 93 Khairul Ikhwan Ajis 2’01.116 2’00.378 2’00.122 2’00.035 1’58.278 1’58.101 1’58.101 20 65 Cao Viet Nam 2’01.043 1’59.478 1’59.353 1’59.131 1’58.549 1’58.288 1’58.288 21 81 Anish Damodara Shetty 2’07.299 2’03.551 2’01.147 1’58.680 1’58.819 1’58.297 1’58.297 22 36 Izam Ikmal 2’06.298 2’01.108 2’01.651 2’00.240 1’59.582 1’58.593 1’58.593 23 24 Hafiza Rofa 2’07.874 2’04.544 1’59.522 1’59.570 1’58.655 1’58.655 24 78 Idil Fitri Mahadi 2’08.400 2’05.016 2’03.670 2’03.607 2’02.725 2’02.321 2’02.321 25 21 Brandon Demmery 2’13.664 2’13.664

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UNDERBONE RIDERS FEEDBACK ON MOTO3 TYRES

2018, 2018 Test, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Laptimes in the Underbone 150cc category have dropped by a second after the introduction of the Moto3 tyres into the class. Gupita Kresna Wardhana made clear his intentions of re-taking his lost crown as he topped the pre-season timesheets with 2’01.476s.   Most of the teams are still working on getting the right settings for the new bike, but for the most part, the riders are in love with the Moto3 tyres.   Wahyu Aji Trilaksana: The tyre itself is fantastic, but I’m still trying to decide on the ideal rim size. I have not hit my target time of 2’01 yet.   Ahmad Fazli Sham: The tyre has given us better rolling speed, more lean angle, and very good grip. Why can’t this size be used for Cub Prix?   Gupita Kresna Wardhana: This tyre has allowed us to brake later, and tackle corners faster. In all, rider confidence has increased so you can look out for more battles ahead.        POS  NO  NAME P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 FASTEST 1 23 Gupita Kresna 2’07.421 2’03.494 2’02.897 2’01.476 2’05.204 2’03.048 2’01.476 2 63 Amirul Ariff Musa 2’04.106 2’02.371 2’03.331 2’01.618 2’02.917 2’04.477 2’01.618 3 60 Wahyu Aji Trilaksana 2’03.891 2’02.357 2’03.805 2’02.506 2’04.185 2’02.228 2’02.228 4 199 Syahrul Amin 2’11.555 2’07.646 2’05.653 2’04.679 2’05.898 2’02.593 2’02.593 5 26 Haziq Fairues 2’05.049 2’02.617 2’03.904 2’03.440 2’03.799 2’02.617 6 32 Helmi Azman 2’04.334 2’02.892 2’04.360 2’05.594 2’04.776 2’02.892 7 56 Nattawut Rungkigsawas 2’07.105 2’06.402 2’06.022 2’02.951 2’02.951 8 13 Akid Aziz 2’05.464 2’04.703 2’03.798 2’03.277 2’04.155 2’03.011 2’03.011 9 18 Adib Rosley 2’06.648 2’04.939 2’05.682 2’03.087 2’03.520 2’03.372 2’03.087 10 71 Haeikal Akmal 2’09.969 2’06.198 2’07.084 2’04.748 2’07.244 2’03.326 2’03.326 11 123 Mckinley Kyle Paz 2’04.334 2’03.473 2’04.839 2’03.473 12 28 Huynh Minh Sang 2’12.729 2’03.474 2’03.474 13 98 Izzat Zaidi 2’07.751 2’04.693 2’03.928 2’04.729 2’08.564 2’03.928 14 46 Ahmad Fazli Sham 2’04.428 2’04.035 2’04.872 2’05.620 2’04.856 2’04.035 15 36 Affendi Rosli 2’14.622 2’13.679 2’12.459 2’05.297 2’04.415 2’04.415 16 65 Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam 2’06.465 2’04.684 2’05.886 2’06.243 2’06.599 2’04.499 2’04.499 17 39 Aiman Azman 2’07.842 2’05.483 2’05.483 18 27 To Ha Dong Nghi 2’10.483 2’12.255 2’06.268 2’06.268 19 99 Nguyen Vu Thanh 2’11.813 2’09.417 2’08.014 2’08.116 2’08.014

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AZLAN GETS 2018 OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

2018, 2018 Test, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Only a few days to go before the start of the 2018 season and the teams competing in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship are already at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand for two days of pre-season testing.  In the premiere class, defending champion Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman and team Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing are looking good for the new season as they dominated Day 1 at the pre-season test. Azlan topped the timesheets throughout the day, ending with the fastest time of the day 1’38.936s. According to Azlan, critical improvements to the bike’s suspension system has the team well on the way towards taming the Chang International Circuit. While more developments will be implemented for the second day of pre-season test, the defending champion is bullish of his chances to win the first race of the season this weekend. Decha Kraisart, always strong on his home track, was the second fastest rider on the grid with 1’39.132s followed by Zaqhwan Zaidi third with 1’39.190s and Ahmad Yudhistira fourth with 1’39.197s. Ratthapong Wilairot caused quite a stir this week following an announcement that he will be moving from the AP Honda Racing Team to the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team. Ratthapong, who has been a Honda-rider throughout his career had quickly adapted to the Yamaha. He posted fifth fastest with 1’39.303s. Tomoyoshi Koyama, back on the 600cc bike, was sixth fastest. Yuki Ito, out on track on the new model Yamaha R6, was only able to go out for the third practice session. He posted seventh fastest with 1’39.968s. Taiga Hada, Andi Farid Izdihar and Azroy Hakeem Anuar rounded up the top 10.

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ANUPAB EYES 2018 250 TITLE

2018, 2018 Test, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

With 2017 Asia Production 250cc Champion Gerry Salim off to Europe for the CEV and Tomoyoshi Koyama back in the SuperSports 600cc class of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Yamaha Thailand Racing Team’s Anupab Sarmoon is heavily tipped as the best bet for the title in 2018. During the pre-season tests at the Chang International Circuit, Anupab proved himself equal to expectations with the fastest laptime of 1’53.180. Anupab was 0.342 seconds faster than the existing circuit record he created in Round 6, a time of 1’53.522s. Anupab’s team mate, Peerapong Boonlert, joined him among the top ranks of the 250cc riders. Peerapong posted third fastest. The Astra Honda Racing Team title will be defended by Rheza Danica Ahrens, Awhin Sanjaya and newcomer Mario Suryo Aji. Rheza checked in with the second fastest with of the day – 1’53.779s. Most impressive from the first day of practice was the performance by the Astra Honda Racing Team rookie Mario Suryo Aji. At 14, Mario is the youngest rider in the Asia Production 250cc class but have had previous race experience at the Chang International Circuit, having taken part in the Thailand Talent Cup last year. He posted fourth fastest with 1’54.437s on his first day out on the track. Andy Muhammad Fadly from team Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing will be using the new 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 250 this season. Fadly finished the day seventh fastest with 1’55.211s.

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MOTO3 TYRES ON UNDERBONE BIKES

2018, 2018 Test, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

The UB150 class in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship had long been considered as the highest level of competition for the genre of underbone racing anywhere in the world. The unique heritage race that began in the South East Asian triumvirate – Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia – had, in recent years, garnered a lot of attention and interest from other Asian nations such as Vietnam, Myanmar, and the Philippines to name a few. In 2018, changes to the tyre regulations will see Dunlop Moto3 medium compound tyres fitted on all Underbone 150 bikes competing in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The change was noticeably almost immediately. During the Championship’s pre-season test at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand, Wahyu Aji Trilaksana posted a new Circuit Record with a time of 2’02.357. Mohd Amirul Ariff Musa of Yuzy Honda Vietnam Racing clocked second fastest with 2’02.371s followed by Mohd Haziq Mohd Fairues third with 2’02.617s, and Mohd Helmi Azman fourth with 2’02.892s. Returning champion, Gupita Kresna Wardhana had clearly not lost his touch yet. Making a comeback with Yamaha SND Factory, Gupita was fifth fastest with 2’02.897s. Defending champion Mohd Akid Aziz got off to a conservative start, he finished the first day in sixth with 2’03.798s.

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