2022

ASB1000 defending champion, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, literally waited two whole years to kick off his title-defence campaign

AZLAN’S TWO-YEAR TITLE ‘DEFENCE’ CAMPAIGN

ASB1000 defending champion, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, literally waited two whole years to kick off his title-defence campaign. Now, with the season opener of the 2022 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship set to flag off at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand at the end of the month, Azlan can finally don his racing colours and get back on the track again. “You could say that I unofficially became a 3-time ASB1000 champion. In 2019, 2020 and 2021!” Azlan joked. But jokes aside, Azlan recalled the uncertainties and worry of those trying years when the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship was shackled due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. “Of course, it was worrying. I wasn’t getting any younger,” said the 38-year-old Malaysian who races for the ONEXOX BMW TKKR Team. “I wondered if my career would end just like that. But I was heartened when I saw the motorsports industry in Asia working hard to get back in action. So I kept hope.” However, Azlan had not been idle. “I had a stint as a professional commentator. Who knew that I turned out to be quite good at it. But my first love was always motorsports. Unable to race for myself, I turned my attention to establishing the AS25 Racing Academy in the hopes of helping more young riders thrive in the sport. I’m proud to say that our team, the AS25 Racing Academy Team, had just made their debut at Round 1 of the 2022 PETRONAS Malaysian Cub Prix Championship a few weeks ago.” “On a personal note, I’m looking forward to getting the adrenaline going again. Can’t wait to get back in action. See you in Buriram!” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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The 2022 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will see one of the most competitive SuperSports 600cc grid assembled in recent years.

SUPERSPORTS 600cc: A PERFECT STORM IN THE BREWING

The 2022 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will see one of the most competitive SuperSports 600cc grid assembled in recent years. The sophomore class will flag off without its defending champion, Peerapong Boonlert, who has dropped out of the racing scene. But even without Peerapong, competition is expected to be fierce with 15 of the most talented 600cc riders from Asia. The weight of expectations will fall on the three returning proteges – GP riders Khairul Idham Pawi, Nakarin Atiratpuvapat, and WSSP rider Galang Hendra Pratama. All three made a name for themselves when they successfully transitioned from the Asian stage to the international arena. However, winning the 2022 SuperSports 600cc title will not be a walk in the park. Strong competition is expected from the likes of Indonesian duo Irfan Ardiansyah and Andi Farid Izdihar of the ASTRA Honda Racing Team. The Malaysian contingent for the SuperSports 600cc class is also impressive. Honda riders Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Helmi Azman will be lining up alongside Mohd Izam Ikmal and Ibrahim Norrodin. Riders from the host country, 2018 SuperSports 600cc champion Ratthapong Wilairot in particular, will be feeling the pressure to perform on home ground. The presence of these high-performing riders is promising to serve up a perfect storm in the SuperSports 600cc category. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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Andy Muhammad Fadly is all set for his return to the Asian stage.Fadly’s title defense year will also mark his 5th season in the AsiaProduction 250cc class

ASIA PRODUCTION 250cc: ANDY MUHAMMAD FADLY ALL SET FOR TITLE DEFENCE CAMPAIGN

Andy Muhammad Fadly is all set for his return to the Asian stage.Fadly’s title defense year will also mark his 5th season in the AsiaProduction 250cc class. He will be one of two Kawasaki Ninja 250 in the Asia Production250cc class this season. The Indonesian rider will continue his longterm relationship with the Motul Sniper Manual Tech Racing Team.And after a two-year break, will resume his on-track partnership withJapanese rider, Aiki Iyoshi. Of the four main classes in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championshiproster, the Asia Production 250cc is perhaps one where the fiercestbattles are fought. This season will be no different. With strong entries coming in fromVietnam, India, Thailand, Malaysia, and of course, Indonesia. In fact,Fadly’s strongest competitors are likely to be his compatriots, withIndonesian riders making up 53% of the Asia Production 250cc grid.Stiff competition is expected to come the likes of ASTRA HONDARacing team trio Adenanta Putra, Herjun Atna Firdaus and RhezaDanica Ahrens (2018 AP250 Champion). Former GP rider Rafid TopanSucipto as well as seasoned campaigners like Fitriansyah Kete andRey Ratukore can also be expected to put up strong performances.YAMAHA Racing Indonesia’s young riders Aldi Satya Mahendra andAnggi Setiawan are also hot favourites for the title. “I can’t wait to get back in the groove. The grid looks impressive!Every single rider up there are tough competitors for me! Closer tohome, I’ll certainly be benchmarking my performance against that ofthe riders from the two Indonesian manufacturer teams – the ASTRAHonda Racing Team and YAMAHA Racing Indonesia,” said Fadly.Andy Muhammad Fadly had been far from idle during the extended‘off-season’. Instead, he has been keeping himself in race trim bystaying active in the national Indonesian racing championships. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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UMA Racing MMR YAMAHA Philippines returns with a brand new Underbone 150cc line-up for the 2022 outfit fielding April King Mascardo

UNDERBONE 150cc: ANSWERED PRAYERS AND DREAM COME TRUE FOR APRIL KING MASCARDO

UMA Racing MMR YAMAHA Philippines returns with a brand new Underbone 150cc line-up for the 2022 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. This season will see the Yamaha outfit fielding April King Mascardo and Gian Carlo Mauricio. Their task… to Race the Flag and defend the Underbone 150cc title won by McKinley Kyle Paz in 2020. Back in pre-Covid 2019, McKinley Kyle Paz made history when he became the first Filipino rider to clinch the competitive Underbone 150cc. Kyle was initially slated to transition to the SuperSports 600cc category in 2020. But the global Covid-19 pandemic put an end to those plans. With the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship on hiatus, Kyle’s career took on a different path when Yamaha Philippines presented the talented young rider with the opportunity to race in the FIM CEV series. As such, the responsibilities of defending the team’s Underbone 150cc title will now be shouldered by April King Mascardo and Gian Carlo Mauricio. The 2022 season will be April King’s second stint in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The Filipino rider made his debut back in 2015 when he raced in the rider development platform, the Suzuki Asian Challenge. April raced in that class for three seasons, culminating in 2017 when he finished the season in second overall. April King’s return to the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship has been highly anticipated. “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all the people who believed in me and supported me throughout every race. My efforts would have not paid off without your trust and support in me,” he wrote on his social media. “Answered Prayers! Thank you God! Thank you so much Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc. for the opportunity you entrusted to me.” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is back on track this coming March 27 to 27 at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand.

ASIA’S BEST GETS BACK ON TRACK!

The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is back on track! After two years of enforced inactivity due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, the curtain raiser for the 2022 season is finally set to rev off this coming March 27 to 27 at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand. Fans can once again look forward to the excitement as Asia’s best from India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam goes head-to-head in the ASB1000, SuperSports 600cc, Asia Production 250cc and the ever-popular Underbone 150cc. “We’re just glad to be back,” said Ron Hogg, Director of Two Wheels Motor Racing, race promoters of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. “Operating in a region as wide and diverse as Asia, cross-border travel had been very challenging with each country enacting different sets of rules and procedures. These challenges made it difficult for regional sports to operate, affecting not just motorsports but other sporting events as well.” “Our return to the Chang International Circuit makes the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, the first international motorsports event to be hosted in Thailand in two years. For this, our thanks to the Sports Authority of Thailand and the hardworking staff and management of the Chang International Circuit.” “Not forgetting our gratitude and sincere appreciation to our partners, the teams and manufacturers for their continued support. The Asian motorsports fraternity has a great track record of working together towards a common goal. Now is the time for us to bank on that same fighting spirit. Together, we can steer this sport back on track!” “On behalf of Chang International Circuit, we are delighted and honored to finally be able to host the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in Thailand once again as Buriram was chosen as the opening and the final race of the season. Chang International Circuit is always ready to have the opportunity to host international competitions again after a hiatus for more than 2 years. Hence, this return of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will once awaken the motorsport fans in Asia especially Thai fans. At the same time, it stimulates the overall economy and will bring the development process of the motorsport industry in Thailand back and forth to full progress,” added Mr. Mr.Newin Chidchob, President of Chang International Circuit “This year, the hardest homework assignment is to hold the race alongside health safety. Riders, teams, staff from abroad must be fully vaccinated and be registered through the ‘Thaipass’ system. All traveler must have a negative RT-PCR result no later than 72 hours before entering the country. Test & Go entry procedures must be followed, which will be performed RT-PCR on the first day of arrival. Stay in SHA EXTRA+ certified hotel. ATK is re-checked again before entering the circuit. As for Thai riders, they have to undergo rigorous testing for the infection as well. Including the spectator must be fully vaccinated.” “Due to our readiness to organize international events including the success of the previous Buriram Marathon we had been accommodated by tens of thousands of runners. We are working hard to set up the system as perfectly as possible with strict public health measures allowing us to pass successfully and safely.” “The hosting of the FIM Asia Road Racing event can be considered as a test of all readiness before hosting the world-class MotoGP 2022 from 29th September to 2nd October. Therefore, the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is an important event for us both in preparation and pushing for the Thai motorsport industry to return to normal as soon as possible. See you at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram!” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is excited to announce the 2022 calendar

2022 FIM ASIA ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP PROVISIONAL CALENDAR

The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is excited to announce the 2022 calendar as follows: Official Test 22 – 23 March, 2022 – Chang International Circuit, Thailand Round 1 25 – 27 March, 2022 – Chang International Circuit, Thailand Round 2 27 – 29 May, 2022 – Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia Round 3 1 – 3 July, 2022 – TBC Round 4 12 – 14 August, 2022 – Sportsland Sugo International Circuit, Japan Round 5 9 – 11 September, 2022 – Zhuhai International Circuit, China Round 6 18 – 20 November, 2022 – Chang International Circuit, Thailand [Download Calendar – PDF version] The season will begin with the official test and season opener at the Chang International Circuit. The Sepang International Circuit will host the second leg. While the host venue for Round 3 is yet to be confirmed, season 2022 will see the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship making its debut at the Sportsland Sugo International Circuit. The Zhuhai International Circuit in China will serve as the host for the penultimate round and the season is expected to wrap up again at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand. Ron Hogg, Director, Two Wheels Motor Racing “After two years of enforced inactivity, we can’t wait to get the Asian grid together. The past two years has been an extremely challenging time for the ARRC paddock and we would like to thank all our stakeholders for their continued patience and understanding.” “We anticipate that we will return to The Bend Motorsport Park, Australia in 2023 when we hope that international travel requirements will have eased up. More importantly, we are definitely looking forward to the ARRC’s debut race in Sugo! Having raced previously at the Autopolis International Race Course and the Suzuka Circuit, the Sportsland Sugo will be a new playground for the Asian paddock.” “Look forward to fireworks when we finally get in gear! There will be more announcements to come with exciting changes in the works!” Stephan Carapiet, President, FIM Asia “The FIM Asia is thrilled to witness the re-start of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. No doubt, there will be strict SOPs to follow but we are certain that the Asian series will be able to adapt and make the best of the situation. Rest assured, the FIM Asia officials will lend our full support and assistance to ensure that 2022 will be our best season ever!”   Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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