2020 Round1

ANDY FADLY 0.183 SECONDS SHY OF A NEW LAP RECORD

2020, 2020 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

AP250 defending champion Andy Muhammad Fadly came 0.183 seconds away from smashing Muklada Sarapuech’s Sepang lap record when he posted a 2’24.966s flying lap in the first day of practice at the 2020 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship season opener.   Fadly’s best time was posted early in the day, in Practice 1. The Motul Manual Tech Racing Team rider was the only rider to lap below 2’25 in the first day of practice.   IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team’s Muhammad Izam Ikmal and Fadly’s Manual Tech team mate Aiki Iyoshi have put themselves provisionally on the front row when they posted 2’25.427s and 2’25.694s respectively.   ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team’s Mohd Muzakkir Mohamed put in a solid performance on home ground when he ended the first day fourth fastest with 2’25.916s.   The class rookie, Mohd Idlan Haqimi Raduan from IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team, also looks to be on the right track when he closed at fifth quickest with 2’25.942s.   YAMAHA Racing Indonesia’s Anggi Setiawan was sixth fastest, followed by TVS Racing’s lead rider Vorapong Malahuan who posted seventh with 2’27.059s. Mohd Danial Syahmi, Rey Ratukore and Wahyu Nugroho completed the top-10 of the day.     AP250: Top 5 Practice Results 2019 Lap Record: 2’24.783s – Muklada Sarapuech (THA) (Honda)   Andy Fadly (INA) (Kawasaki)                 2’24.966s Izam Ikmal (MAS) (Honda)                    2’25.427s Aiki Iyoshi (JPN) (Kawasaki)                  2’25.694s Muzakkir Mohamed (MAS) (Yamaha)  2’25.916s Idlan Haqimi Raduan (MAS) (Honda)   2’25.942s

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WAHYU AJI RIDING HIGH WITH NEW UB150 LAP RECORD

2020, 2020 Round1, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Wahyu Aji Trilaksana continues to ride high in the Underbone 150cc class. With only a day’s break between the 2020 pre-season tests and the start of Round 1, the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team rider had been able to sustain his momentum at the top of the Underbone timesheets.   The Indonesian rider led the Underbone 150cc qualifying charge and posted a new lap record of 2’31.358s in the process.   Proliner RCB 549 KABOCI Racing Team’s Richie Taroreh was a close second with 2’31.874s, the only rider on the 27-man grid to lap within the same second as Wahyu Aji.   Behind the two charging Indonesians, competitive siblings Ahmad Fazli Sham and Ahmad Fazrul Sham looked well prepared for this season’s title chase. Fazli, representing the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team, was the third fastest man in qualifying with 2’32.059s. Younger brother Fazrul who is racing under the Cardinals Racing Team banner this year, posted fourth with 2’32.311s.   Peerapong Luiboonpeng has shown remarkable progress in his third full season in the UB150. The Team One For All rider, who is also the sole Thai representative in the class, was fifth quickest in qualifying with 2’32.625s.   Off the top five, UMA Racing YAMAHA Maju Motor Asia Team looked to have hit a spot of trouble during the UB150 qualifier. Akid Aziz led the field in Practice 1 and Practice 2, but ended the qualifying session in seventh behind team mate Haziq Fairues. Akid’s best time in the qualifying, 2’32.862s, was about a second off his best pace earlier in the day.   Similarly, UMA Racing YAMAHA Philippine Team struggled to get the pace out of their Yamaha Sniper 150. Fernando Masato narrowly made the cut into the SuperPole when he qualified 14th with 2’34.181s. Kerwin Chang was 25th on the list with 2’36.179s.   In contrast, newcomer team 4S1M YAMAHA Racing Team has gotten their UB150 debut off to a solid start with Gupita Kresna 13th quickest with 2’34.078s.     UB150: Top 5 Qualifying Results 2020 Lap Record: 2’31.359s – Wahyu Aji Trilaksana (INA) (Yamaha)   Wahyu Aji Trilaksana (INA) (Yamaha)                2’31.358s Richie Taroreh (INA) (Yamaha)                           2’31.874s Ahmad Fazli Sham (MAS) (Yamaha)                   2’32.059s Ahmad Fazrul Sham (MAS) (Yamaha)                2’32.311s Peerapong Luiboonpeng (THA) (Yamaha)              2’32.625s

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BOON SIEW HONDA TO FIELD TWO TEAMS IN THE 2020 ARRC

2020, 2020 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Boon Siew Honda will be fielding two teams in the 2020 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, with the SuperSports 600cc and Asia Production 250cc classes as the focus of the team’s talent development programme.   The Boon Siew Honda Racing Team will continue to challenge for the SS600 crown with the Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Helmi Azman pairing. The two riders will be looking to improve on their standings in the 600cc class, having finished 4th overall and 7th overall in 2019 respectively.   Meanwhile, Idemitsu Boon Siew Honda Racing will make its full season debut in the AP250 class with young talents Idlan Haqimi and Izam Ikmal in the saddle.   Boon Siew Honda Racing Team (SS600) Joel Tan | Team Manager “We have retained our 2019 rider line-up, and will continue to work with Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Helmi Azman. Now that both riders have acquired more mileage in the class and a deeper understanding of the bike characteristics, we are optimistic of achieving better results in 2020.”   Azroy Hakeen Anuar – #20 | Team Rider “Going into my third full season in the SS600, I am ready to face any challengers head on and pick up as many points and podiums as possible.”   Helmi Azman – #32 | Team Rider “I am working hard to get better results in 2020. Considering that this will be my second full season in the class, I have podium finished in my sight.”   Idemitsu Boon Siew Honda Racing (AP250) Zulhelmi Ahmad | Team Manager “Even though we are new to the AP250, I have every confidence in our riders and our Honda CBR250RR bikes. We have not set high expectations for the riders yet, but we are optimistic of our abilities to compete among the front group. This is especially so with the level of support we have received from our Boon Siew Honda management who remains committed to developing Malaysian talents.”   Idlan Haqimi – #19 | Team Rider “I would like to thank Boon Siew Honda for this opportunity to race the full season of the AP250. As this is my debut season in the competitive class, my goal is to finish within the top 10 in every race.”   Izam Ikmal – #24 | Team Rider “Really pleased to be a part of the Boon Siew Honda family this year. I will do my best to better my results from my wildcard experience last season.”  

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TIME TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE SS600 QUALIFYING

2020, 2020 Round1, 2020 Test, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Expect last-minute time attacks in the SuperSports 600cc category this season as ARRC official tyre supplier Dunlop brings a new element to their tyre allocations.   Last year, the 600cc riders crafted their qualifying and race strategies around an allocation with 5 medium compound fronts and 5 medium rears. Now in 2020, the riders find an additional soft rear added to that allocation.   Here’s the comparison breakdown for easy reference:   TYRE MODEL/COMPOUND 2019 ALLOCATION 2020 ALLOCATION KR149 (Front) (Medium) 5 5 KR133 (Rear) (Medium) 5 5 KR133 (Rear) (Soft) 0 1   The outcome of the amendment was immediately apparent as Adam Norrodin from PACHI ZK Racing punched in a new SS600 lap record during the pre-season tests.     QUOTE: KENTARO KOBAYASHI, MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE ENGINEER, SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD (DUNLOP)   “The SuperSports 600cc class was supposed to be more developmental in nature. But the teams have requested to make the class more competitive. As a result, the age limit in the SS600 (25 years) was removed.   This is Dunlop’s contribution to make the SuperSports 600cc more exciting and more competitive. We can now expect to see last minute time attacks in the closing minutes of the qualifier.”

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BEYOND BROADCAST: ARRC AND OMM INKS COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP

2020, 2020 Round1, Latest News /

The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship has officially inked a partnership with PT Oneprix Motorsport Manajemen (OMM). Through this working relationship, the ARRC will be working hand in hand with Indonesian racing series OnePrix. At the same time, tVOne has acquired the FTA rights for the live telecast of the 2020 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in Indonesia.   Quotes   Ron Hogg, Director, Two Wheels Motor Racing (TWMR)   “We are very much looking forward to working with OMM and TVOne this year, not just from a broadcast perspective, but also to forge a relationship that will create more opportunities for talented Indonesian riders.”   Imam Sulisto, Director, PT Oneprix Motorsport Manajemen (OMM)   “We’re excited to be in partnership with TWMR and looking forward on promoting more of motorsport locally. Indonesia has many talents and with TWMR, we can continue to develop motor racing in this region, while creating more opportunities to showcase talents from Indonesia.”   Reva Dedi Utama, tvOne Sport and Programme Director:   “tvOne is very eager to broadcast Asian Road Racing Championship (ARRC). We are hoping ARRC will be largely  viewed by TV audiences, because motorcycle racing is one of the favorite sports event with a huge fan base in Indonesia.   For sure, thru tvOne, many Indonesians will be able to watch their favourites racers/riders in ARRC.”       LEBIH DARI SEKEDAR BROADCAST: ARRC DAN OMM SEPAKAT BERMITRA   FIM Asia Road Racing Championship secara resmi telah menandatangani kerja sama dengan PT Oneprix Motorsport Manajemen (OMM). Melalui kemitraan ini, ARRC akan bekerja bersama dengan seri Kejuraaan Nasional Oneprix Indonesia Motorprix Championship. Pada saat yang sama, tVOne telah memperoleh hak siaran langsung FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2020 di Indonesia.   Ron Hogg, Direktur, Two Wheels Motor Racing (TWMR)   “Kami sudah menantikan untuk bekerja sama dengan OMM dan TVOne tahun ini, tidak hanya dari perspektif penyiaran, tetapi juga untuk menjalin hubungan yang akan menciptakan lebih banyak peluang bagi pembalap Indonesia yang berbakat.”   Imam Sulisto, Direktur, PT Oneprix Motorsport Manajemen (OMM)   “Kami bergembira dapat bermitra dengan TWMR dan langkah ini kami tempuh untuk  mengembangkan motorsport Indonesia. Indonesia memiliki banyak bakat, dan bersama TWMR kami bertekad untuk terus meningkatkan balap motor di wilayah ini, dan menciptakan peluang bagi pembalap Indonesia di ajang kompetisi Asia.   Reva Dedi Utama, Direktur Olahraga dan Program tvOne   “tvOne semangat menyiarkan Asian Road Racing Championship (ARRC). Kami berharap ARRC akan banyak ditonton oleh pemirsa TV, karena balap motor adalah salah satu acara olahraga favorit yang memiliki basis penggemar besar di Indonesia.

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AZLAN HAS NO ILLUSION ABOUT SEASON 2020

2020, 2020 Round1, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

ASB1000 defending champion Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman is under no illusion about just how challenging the year ahead is going to be. The Malaysian rider who entered the history books as the first ASB1000 champion in 2019, has renewed his partnership with the ONEXOX BMW TKKR SAG Team for the 2020 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Even as Azlan prepares to don the green-and-black of TKKR for one more season, there had been many changes within the team’s structure and also in the ASB1000 class itself. Azlan’s success in 2019 had brought BMW factory support to the ONEXOX BMW TKKR SAG Team. Along with the factory support comes a team mate, WSBK rider Markus Reiterberger who will certainly be arriving with his eyes on the main prize. “I’m very sure the 2020 season will be a fight from start to finish. Look at the quality of bikes and riders listed in the Entry List. We have WSBK riders like Markus and Lorenzo Zanetti entering the Asian race. Domestically, my compatriot Zaqhwan Zaidi will be competing astride the latest Honda CBR1000RR R Fireblade,” said Azlan. In fact, nearly half the 15-rider ASB1000 grid will be competing on the latest bike models. Zaqhwan’s team mate Gerry Salim will also be similarly equipped. Riders from the factory Yamahas – Broc Parkes, Yuki Ito, Apiwat Wongthananon and Anupab Sarmoon will take to the tarmac with the 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1M. For Team BMW, Azlan and his team mate Markus will be competing on the 2020 BMW S1000 RR. Azlan will need to bank on his strong track record at the 5.5km Sepang International Circuit to keep his winning edge. The BMW rider had won three out of four ASB1000 races held in Sepang to date.

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DUCATI TEST RIDER LORENZO ZANETTI JOINS ACCESS PLUS RACING-OKADA MANILA FOR ASB1000 SEASON OPENER AT SEPANG

2020, 2020 Round1, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

Access Plus Racing-Okada Manila has confirmed that Lorenzo Zanetti will join their ASB1000 lineup this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The Ducati test rider was called as a stand in for Federico Sandi who’ll be unavailable during the Asia Road Racing Championship’s (ARRC) season opener on March 6 to 8. The Italian is a test rider for Ducati and contributed to the development of Panigale V4R for competition, thus making him a fitting substitute for Sandi. He brings with him over two decades’ worth of experience, with six seasons in the 125GP World Championship and nine in the Superbike World Championship where he landed 16 career podium finishes. With his vast knowledge on the Panigale V4R, Zanetti aims to provide reliable feedback to the team’s technicians. He also looks forward to bring the fight to the front on his ARRC debut with teammate Timothy Joseph “TJ” Alberto. The Asia Road Racing Championship’s 2020 calendar kicks off with a Pre-Season Test from March 2 to 4 at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The first of seven rounds then follows from March 6 to 8 on the same venue. Lorenzo Zanetti: “It’s a pleasure to join the first round of ARRC this 2020 with Access Plus Racing. When the team and Ducati offered me this opportunity, I immediately accepted the offer. Although it’s not easy to come to the series just for one race, I believe that it’s possible to fight for a good position with help from Ducati. Thank you to the team for allowing me to race with them in Malaysia.” Access Plus Racing-Okada Manila is sponsored by Okada Manila, Essenza, Macbeth, Öhlins Philippines, AELLA, Lv8, and Standard Insurance, with Ducati Philippines for the team’s entry in ASB1000. For more info and the latest updates about the team, follow www.facebook.com/AccessPlusRacingPH/ on Facebook and riders www.facebook.com/TjAlberto7, www.facebook.com/Fedesandi23, and https://www.facebook.com/lorenzozanettiofficial/. [Photo courtesy of Ducati]

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