2019 Round3

Access Plus Racing – Ducati Philippines – Essenza is ready to take the next step forward as the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship heads to the Chang International Circuit in Buriram for Round 3. The new Manila-based racing outfit has gotten their ARRC debut off to a good start, especially with young TJ Alberto at the helm. Come Buriram, TJ and his team mate Jonathan Serrapica will be hoping to convert the team’s pace into strong finishes. Since the last race meet at The Bend Motorsport Park, the team has poured a lot of effort into the development of their Ducati Panigale V4R. Unlike the previous legs where the team was hampered by a lack of data, TJ have at least had some experience at the Chang International Circuit, especially during the winter test at the end of 2018. Overall, the team’s outlook is very positive following improvements gained in Australia. With TJ now ranked 10th in the Asian series, the team looks ready for their next step forward. TJ Alberto, #77 Ducati: “The past few rounds have helped us clearly understand what is needed from the bike, technicians and riders to perform at their best. We were on the opposite end of the spectrum during the first round in Sepang and we have been learning after each race.” Toti Alberto, Team Principal: We’ve made strides as a team over the last few months. We now better understand the new Panigale V4R which we just received from Ducati Corsa right before the season began in Malaysia. Our progress so far have already allowed TJ and Jonathan to challenge for points and we’re looking forward to further improve on our results in Thailand.”

Two rounds into the inaugural season of the ASB1000 class has yielded four winners on board four different makes in four separate races. Malaysians Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman and Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi fired the first salvo at the season opener in Sepang. Azlan piloted his brand new BMW to the win in Race 1 while Honda rider Zaqhwan stormed his way through a rain-drenched Sepang circuit to clinch the second win. In Australia, Kawasaki took their turn at the top of the podium through replacement rider Bryan Staring’s impeccable performance in Race 1. In Race 2, Broc Parkes lived up to his top billings when he took his Yamaha R1 to its first ARRC win. Broc, who is racing for the Yamaha Racing Team ASEAN in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, leads the ASB1000 class as they head to Round 3 at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand. The Yamaha stalwart holds a 21-point advantage over Zaqhwan Zaidi. Broc’s team mate, Yuki Ito has a strong track record at the Chang International Circuit and would be a threat to Zaqhwan’s position as he hunts for his first ASB1000 podium. After a strong start in Sepang, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman picked up two fifth places in Australia and has dropped down to fourth overall with 47 points. Kawasaki Thailand Racing Team’s replacement rider Bryan Staring came into the series with a bang. Bryan debut at fifth in the rankings with a win and a second place finish in Australia. The home team, Yamaha Thailand Racing Team, will be also be strategizing for a strong performance in Buriram. Over the past five years, the team had collected a whopping 32 podiums in Buriram. Apiwat Wongthananon and Ratthapong Wilairot will be under tremendous pressure to do well in front of their home fans. Amidst the big names, Ahmad Yudhistira has succeeded in bringing his near-standard Yamaha R1 to ninth overall in the standings while ARRC newcomer TJ Alberto from the Philippines maintained his position at tenth in the rankings.

Thanks to his incredible performance as a super-sub in the Australian round, Bryan Staring is back for another starring role in Buriram. With Thitipong Warokorn still in the recovery process to get back into racing form, it was only natural for the Kawasaki Thailand Racing Team to reach out to Bryan to fill the vacuum. The Australian rider won Race 1 at The Bend, and second in Race 2 – bringing home enough points to keep the Kawasaki Thailand Racing Team afloat at the top of the team standings.