2019

ZAQHWAN TAKES HONDA ASIA DREAM RACING WITH SHOWA TO THE PODIUM AT THE INAUGURAL SEPANG 8 HOURS

2019, 2019 Sepang 8 Hours, Latest News /

Malaysian rider Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi and his international team mates Somkiat Chantra and Andi Farid Izdihar clinched a first Endurance World Championship podium for team Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA at the inaugural Sepang 8 Hours yesterday.   The Sepang International Circuit’s debut into the world of endurance racing was almost blighted by a torrential downpour during the daylight hours of the race. Zaqhwan and his team mates started the race from second on the grid, but was forced to rein in their enthusiasm as the unrelenting downpour forced a race start behind the safety car.   A few laps in, it was quickly determined that it was too unsafe to continue and the Sepang 8 Hours was suspended for five hours until the rain subsided enough to allow for safe racing.   The grid finally went out at the five hour mark with only three hours left on the clock. Zaqhwan was the first rider for team Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA and consistently paced fourth in the leading group.   The team’s position improved when Somkiat Chantra took over the reins and managed to narrow the gap against the race leaders. Up in front, several crashes brought the Honda CBR1000 RR into podium position.   As the clock ticked down to the final hour of the day, Somkiat had managed to place second behind race leader YART Yamaha. One last pitstop brought Zaqhwan back on track. The ace Malaysian rider was able to keep their second position, half a lap behind Niccolo Canepa.   Team Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA crossed the finish line in second place with 80 laps done in 05:51:53.459. Race winners YART Yamaha also completed 80 laps in 05:50:03.837.   “This is a very meaningful win for the team, and especially for myself and the Malaysian members of the Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA crew. It’s an amazing feeling to take the podium on homeground, especially against a field of world-class riders. Kudos to our team members who had worked especially hard this weekend,” said Zaqhwan.

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NO BURDEN OF EXPECTATIONS ON ZAQHWAN AT EWC SEPANG

2019, 2019 Sepang 8 Hours, Latest News /

There will be no burden of expectations on Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi’s shoulders as he prepares for the EWC Sepang 8 Hours at the Sepang International Circuit this weekend. The race is part of a mega event, Races of Malaysia, which will bring together the best of two-wheels and four-wheels racing with the EWC (Endurance World Championship) and WTCR.   According to the Honda Asia Dream Racing with Showa rider, over-confidence is something to be avoided, even though he is arguably the most experienced endurance rider in Malaysia.   “Physically and mentally, I am prepared for the Sepang 8 Hours. Even though I have raced in the Suzuka 8 Hours for many years, Sepang will present a whole new set of challenges,” said Zaqhwan.   “Endurance racing is very different from the sprint races that Malaysians are used to. In this type of racing, machine reliability is half the battle won,” Zaqhwan continued. The Malaysian rider will be racing on the Honda CBR1000 RR for the race.   “Nevertheless, I will be banking on the know-how I have accumulated in my many participation in the Suzuka 8 Hours to deliver the best possible results at Sepang.”   In line with team Honda Asia Dream Racing with Showa’s direction, Zaqhwan will be working alongside Indonesian rider Andi Farid Izdihar and Somkiat Chantra from Thailand.   “We’ve raced alongside each other in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championships, we know each other’s riding styles very well and I am certain we will be able to gel this weekend.”

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STATEMENT: AMBER GARCIA

2019, 2019 Round7, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

An incident occurred at Turn 7 on Lap 3 of the Underbone 150cc Race 2 at the Chang International Circuit. Rider Amber Garcia from the Philippines was injured in the incident.   Amber first received medical attention at the Medical Centre before being transferred to the Buriram Hospital where treatment continued in the ICU unit.   The FIM Asia, Two Wheels Motor Racing, and the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship family ask for everyone to join us as we pray for Amber’s recovery.   Statement : Amber Garcia

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AZLAN ENTERS THE HISTORY BOOKS AS THE FIRST ASIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPION

2019, 2019 Round7, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

He began the season as the first rider to win the ASB1000 race in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. At the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, for the 2019 finale, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) closed the year on a high note with an imperious win to enter the history books as the first Asian Superbike Champion.   The ASB1000 action closed with an explosive final showdown with three riders still in the running at the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship finale in Thailand.   Zaqhwan Zaidi (Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA), who still had an outside chance of creating a monumental upset, led the 12-rider grid on pole position. The Malaysian claimed his third of the season in Race 1 and still had a mathematical chance of creating an upset provided that both the main title contenders (Azlan and Broc) failed to collect any points from the second race.   Beside Zaqhwan, the man with the best chance for the title, Azlan Shah lined up on P2 while Broc Parkes (Yamaha Racing Team ASEAN), still the championship leader after a disastrous Saturday, was a menacing presence on the second row.   Since the start of the ASB1000 class this season, the Chang International Circuit has turned out to be a happy hunting ground for the BMW. A confident Azlan darted into the lead at the start of the 13-lap race. Azlan was stalked by Zaqhwan in the first lap but a series of quick laps saw Azlan pulling ahead by 3.9 seconds by Lap 5. The Malaysian rider then produced a slew of inch-perfect defensive laps to keep his position at the front.   Behind Azlan, a bad start by Broc put his final campaign for the title on the back foot. On Lap 6, Broc was fifth on the track, trailing Azlan by a hefty 5.7 seconds, and it was becoming increasingly clear that Broc’s title hopes had evaporated.   Up in front, Azlan was in no mood to mess around. The BMW rider continued to plough through the remaining laps in perfect form until he stormed to his sixth win of the season with 20’57.034s. Zaqhwan was second across the line, five seconds behind Azlan followed by Thitipong Warokorn (Kawasaki Thailand Racing Team) in third.   In the final points tally, Azlan picked up his third Asian title with 238 points. Azlan was the 2013 and 2017 SuperSports 600cc champion. Broc ended the season in second with 225 points and Zaqhwan third with 211 points.   However, Broc’s determined racing had done enough to put Yamaha Racing Team ASEAN at the top of the team standings with 244 points. The nine points Broc collected allowed the Japanese team to deny the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team from taking yet another team title by three points.

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KASMA DELIVERS ON HIS PROMISE

2019, 2019 Round7, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin delivered on his promise of a final gift to team Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia prior to his departure from the Asian scene for his Moto2 debut in 2020. Race 2 of the SuperSports 600cc at the season finale in Thailand was Kasma’s last chance to bring home a win for the team that had nurtured his transition from underbone to full-frame racing.   The 19-year old traded opening-lap overtakes with polesitter Adam Norrodin (SIC Junior ZK Racing Team) before losing the top spot to 2019 SuperSports 600cc champion, Peerapong Boonlert (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team). Having wrapped up the SS600 Asian title the last time out in Sepang, Peerapong was intent on finishing the 2019 season in style.   Behind Peerapong, Kasma was made to sweat over his second place y persistent attacks from Adam. The intensity of their battle narrowed the gap to Peerapong and Kasma managed to pull ahead of Adam on Lap 7. By Lap 8, Kasma was literally breathing down Peerapong’s neck, 0.2 seconds behind. The Malaysian rider made a successful pass on Lap 9, but Peerapong responded by pushing Kasma down to second on Lap 10.   While Peerapong was preoccupied by Kasma, Adam had arrived to make it a 3-way battle. The three riders were neck to neck as they began the final lap of the race. Adam took the lead on Turn 3 but Kasma got onto the inside of Turn 4 and muscled his way into the front. A smart move by Kasma checked Adam’s advances into Turn 12 and Malaysia’s latest Moto2 debutant stormed into the win with 19’53.494s.   Adam pipped Peerapong to the finish line in second place while Ahmad Afif Amran completed a solo race in fourth. Astra Honda Racing Team’s Andi Farid Izdihar, was next to see the chequered flag in fifth.   While Peerapong did not manage to create a new championship record by taking the highest number of wins in a season, he did break the three-century point by scoring an even 300 at the top of the championship table. Kasma Daniel cemented his second overall position with 224 points while Adam settled for third with 170 points.   The Yamaha Thailand Racing Team was also confirmed as the team winner with 300 points.

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ANDY MUHAMMAD FADLY – THIRD INDONESIAN RIDER TO WIN THE AP250 TITLE

2019, 2019 Round7, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Andy Muhammad Fadly (Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing) has once again proven that the Indonesian riders are still in a league of their own in the Asia Production 250cc class. After a phenomenal win on Saturday, Fadly had to finish ahead of rivals Irfan Ardiansyah and Awhin Sanjaya (Astra Honda Racing Team) in the final race of the season at the Chang International Circuit to end Kawasaki’s 3-year title drought in the AP250 class.   The 10-lap race started with Fadly tucked into the leading group behind a charging Muklada Sarapuech (AP Honda Racing Team). Muklada, freed from the pressures of a title hunt, was intent on winning the race in front of her home crowd. Three successive quick laps from Muklada saw her pull ahead by 2.6 seconds. But Muklada’s rampage came to a premature end on Lap 4 when mechanical failure forced her out of the race.   Muklada’s departure left the three title contenders, Irfan, Awhin and Andy in charge of the top 15-rider group. It wasn’t long before Tatchakorn Buasri (AP Honda Racing Thailand) and Rafid Topan Sucipto (Bike Corner SYS KYT Racing Team) decided to try for the leading position.   While the battle raged on to the final lap, Andy was working hard to stay out of trouble. The Kawasaki rider tried to lead into Turn 3 but ran wide and dropped to P5 from P3. Rapidly running out of time, Andy used the superior grunt of his Kawasaki to get back into the lead at Turn 5. The Kawasaki rider led the group up to Turn 11 but was out-braked by Irfan at the entry into Turn 12. While Andy was trying to get his momentum back for a final sprint to the finish line, Rafid Topan ran wide at the apex and bulldozed into Irfan.   As the two riders skidded out onto the sidelines, Mohd Muzakkir Mohamed (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) was quick to sprint to the finish line in first place with Piyawat Patoomyos (AP Honda Racing Team) and wildcard Vorapong Malahuan (Yamaha Hispeed Racing Team) in tow. Andy was initially sixth across the line.   However, the Malaysian rider was later penalized for exceeding the track limit at Turn 12. Piyawat Patoomyos was eventually declared the winner of the 10-lap Race 2 with 19’11.373s. Vorapong Malahuan went up to second place and Awhin Sanjaya was third.   Lucky Hendriansya was also penalized for exceeding the track limit. Andy moved up from P6 to P4 on the official timesheets to add 13 more points to this year’s points haul. With 214 points, Andy became the third successive Indonesian to bring home the Asia Production 250cc title.   Irfan and Awhin had to concede the title win to Andy, but Astra Honda Racing Team is still the team to beat in the AP250 class. The Honda team has picked up 274 points out of 14 races and emerged at the top of the team standings, beating Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing by 35 points.

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MCKINLEY IS FIRST ASIAN UNDERBONE CHAMPION FROM THE PHILIPPINES

2019, 2019 Round7, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

McKinley Kyle Paz (UMA Racing Yamaha Philippine Team) was disappointed to qualify off the front row at the 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship season finale at Buriram, but in the Underbone class, the UMA Racing Yamaha Philippine Team rider knew that grid position is not everything.   The 18-year-old, who was one of five riders still in the running for the 2019 title, knew that all he had to do was hunker down within the front group and bide his time for a last lap, last corner attack.   However, in the sheer unpredictability that is so characteristic of Underbone racing, pre-drawn plans and strategy went flying out the window the moment the 8-lap race was flagged off.   Haziq Fairues and Akid Aziz (UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team)  were among the early leaders at the start of Race 2. At the end of Lap 1, 28 out of 31 were still bunched up in one big group, attacking the corners six abreast.   The first title contender to drop out of the race was Aldi Satya Mahendra (Yamaha Racing Indonesia). Aldi crashed out of the last turn along with Mohd Rozaiman Said (Cardinals Racing Team). Haziq Fairues was very nearly swept along by the incident and lost eight positions to drop down to the back of the group.   On Lap 4, championship leader Akid Aziz retired from the race, his title hunt derailed again by mechanical failure. This left 20 riders in the leading charge, among them, McKinley Kyle Paz, Ahmad Fazli Sham (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team), and Haziq Fairues.   McKinley’s bid for the title faltered when he crashed in the mid-section of the 4.554km circuit. Refusing to give up, the young Filipino rider was back on his bike in a flash even though he had lost touch of the front pack.   The leading group had not shrunk noticeably by the final lap. With the notorious Buriram Turn 12 looming, Ahmad Fazli Sham began to slipstream his way past Richie Taroreh, Mohd Izzat Zaidi and Wawan Wello. The seasoned campaigner was all set to take control of the final corner until he got skittled by Syahrul Amin (SND Factory Racing Rapido).   Mohd Izzat Zaidi (RCB Accentwire Yamaha YY Pang Racing Team) led the group across the finish line but was later penalized for exceeding the track limit at the last corner.   Izzat’s penalty handed the win to Richie Taroreh (Proliner 549 Kaboci Racing Team) who claimed his first win of the season with 16’23.670s. Wawan Wello (SND Factory Racing Rapido) and Wahyu Aji Trilaksana (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team) made it an all-Indonesian clean sweep in the Underbone 150 Race 2.   15 seconds behind, McKinley Kyle Paz finished just outside of the points in 16th place. Clueless about what had happened in front of him, the disappointed young rider had no idea that his title contenders had been taken out one by one in the intensity of the race. It was only when he returned, dejected, to the pits that he found out he had officially entered the history books as the first Filipino rider to become the FIM Asian Underbone 150cc champion with 121 points to his name.   Akid Aziz, despite two DNF finishes in the final round, stayed in second overall with 119 points while his team mate Haziq Fairues closed the season in third with 113 points.   While the UMA Racing Yamaha riders were busy celebrating their personal achievements, the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team had quietly triumphed over UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team in the UB150 Team Awards. Thanks to Wahyu’s steady performance, the Malaysian-based team won the team award by 190 points. UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team dropped to second with 178 points while UMA Racing Yamaha Philippine Team was ranked third with 139 points.

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AZLAN CLOSES IN ON BROC’S LEAD

2019, 2019 Round7, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

The race to become the first FIM Asian ASB1000 champion has effectively narrowed to a shoot-out between Broc Parkes (Yamaha Racing Team ASEAN) and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team).   The drama in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship’s premiere class took an unprecedented turn when neither championship leader gained the psychological advantage of a pole position start. Instead, the coveted pole fell into the hands of Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi (Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA).   A solid start by Zaqhwan placed him nominally in control but Zaqhwan lost position to a rapidly charging Apiwat Wongthananon (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team) at the end of the first lap. The two riders swapped places at the front until Zaqhwan was able to gain full control on Lap 5.   On the same lap, the title chase was turned on its head when Broc Parkes crashed out at the infamous Buriram last corner. The Australian rider rejoined the race in last place, a minute down from the rest of the group.   By Lap 7, Azlan had muscled his way past Thitipong Warokorn (Kawasaki Thailand Racing Team) and tucked into P3 behind Apiwat.   While Broc gamely tried to make up for lost ground, Zaqhwan was riding smooth and steady at the front of the group. The riders looked to be locked in position with Zaqhwan leading Apiwat and Azlan until the last lap when Apiwat crashed out of P2.   Zaqhwan went on to win the race with 20’56.778s. Azlan in second and Thitipong third made it a Honda-BMW-Kawasaki podium in Race 1.   Further down the group, Broc kept his title hopes alive when he picked up four points from P12.   With the gap between Broc and Azlan now narrowed to only three points, the stage is set for a showdown in the final race on Sunday.

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ADAM FOILS KASMA’S PLANS FOR A BIG RACE 1 FINISH

2019, 2019 Round7, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Adam Norrodin (SIC Junior ZK Racing Team) foiled Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin’s plans for a big finish in the SuperSports 600cc Race 1 at the final leg of the 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in Buriram.   Kasma who took pole position following a dramatic qualifying session had earlier expressed his wish to gift a double win to the Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia team before he leaves for the Moto2 World Championships in 2020.   However, Kasma’s pole advantage did not last for long. Once the 12-lap race got underway, Peerapong was quick to wrest control at the front of the leading group. The Yamaha Thailand Racing Team rider put up a superb show of defensive racing against Kasma and Adam Norrodin. Despite numerous attempts, the two Malaysians found it almost impossible to overtake the imperious Thai rider. Yet at the same time, Peerapong found it equally impossible to shake the two Malaysians off his tail.   Two laps before the end of the race, Adam began his campaign in earnest by forcing Kasma wide at the last corner to take P2. A lap later, Kasma responded in kind. As the two Malaysians dueled for P2, Peerapong at the front, was given a brief reprieve from the relentless pressure.   However, Peerapong’s smooth riding style suffered a hiccup when he almost locked out his front wheel in the closing corners of the final lap. Sensing an opportunity, Adam put the hammer down on Turn 9 and fought his way into the lead. The SIC Junior ZK Racing Team rider kept the position for the remainder of the race to take the win with 19’58.355s, a magnificent swansong as the SIC Junior ZK Racing Team bows out of the Asian series. Peerapong raced home in second place with Kasma Daniel close behind him in third.

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