2023 Round 6

“I’M HERE TO WIN”

2023, 2023 Round 6, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

The Asia Superbike 1000cc is back again in action at the Chang International Circuit. This time around, for the finale of Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Season 2023. Rocking the circuit today was Markus Reiterberger of ONEXOX BMW TKKR Team who clocked in fastest in the practice sessions, combined. In FP1 that was held towards noon, duo of ONEXOX BMW TKKR Team, Markus Reiterberger and Azlan Shah made striking lap times with their best at 1’35:990s and 1’36:347s respectively. At the third fastest spot was Zaqhwan Zaidi of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA with his best lap time at 1’36:459s. In FP2, the positions changed among the super-trio with Zaqhwan in lead with his best lap time at 1’36:268s followed by the teammates Azlan and Markus with their best lap time at 1’36:404s and 1’36:459s respectively. In FP3, Markus did it again with his best lap time at 1’35:640s followed by his fellow teammate Azlan with his best lap time at 1’35:947s. At the third fastest was Zaqhwan with his best lap time at 1’36:088s. Markus may not have had a perfect start at the season opener in Chang but he certainly seems prepared to make up for his imperfection with a perfect end to the season. Commenting on the session, Markus said, “I am still here to win, as usual. But more importantly, we are also using this time to test some things with no pressure. We have a different suspension on the rear and some changes in the chassis. Not forgetting the tires too. It takes a whole day. We made a few good steps but there were also some wrong moves especially in FP2. We still found out way around it but with a little extra push. I struggled a lot in Round 1 and now, I still have to fight hard to stay on top. I was also a sick in the last few days so physically, I had some hard time. I hope tomorrow would be better. In Round 1, there were many things that we had to sort out in terms of the machine but over time, we picked up and it has been good since. Of course, I have issues with my body weight, so I would say that it is not that easy to keep up with the pace. I really enjoy Thailand and I enjoy the layout of the circuit. I also have very good memories here with my best World Superbike results here in 2016.” Second and third fastest in the FP combined went to Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman and Md Zaqhwan Zaid. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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STRONG COMEBACK FOR WILDCARD RIDER

2023, 2023 Round 6, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

The riders of the SuperSports 600cc were pumped up today in their bid to make the most at the season finale of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship help at Chang International Circuit. Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAH GEN BLU Racing Team ASEAN emerged fastest today at the practice sessions, combined. In FP1 earlier today, Thai lad Nakarin of Honda Racing Thailand went on enthusiastically on his home- ground to score the fastest at 1’39:709 followed by fellow country-men and wildcard rider, Apiwath of YAMAHA GEN BLU Racing Team ASEAN with his best lap time at 1’39:949s. Malaysian rider, Azroy Hakeem made it third fastest with his best lap time at 1’40:232s. In FP2, Apiwath worked on his performance and made it fastest at 1’39:243s followed by his teammate, Soichiro with his best lap time at 1’39:579s. At third fastest was Nakarin with his best lap time at 1’39:965s. In FP3 that was held in the evening, Apiwath emerged fastest with his best lap time at 1’39:393s and once again followed by his teammate Soichiro with his best lap time at 1’39:483s making them the fastest and second fastest for the day. The duo of the same team seemed to have worked out a plan to keep themselves well ahead of the others in the lap chart. With Soichiro in contention for the championship, Apiwath’s participation may be the boost that he needs to make the weekend a success. Apiwath completed his full season in the World SuperSport and his experiences has definitely given him the added value needed to make the most of the season finale. Taking third fastest in FP3 was Ratthapong of YAMAHA Thailand Racing Team with his best lap time at 1’39:854s. Commenting on the session earlier, Apiwath said, “I am happy to be back at ARRC and I would say that the level of competitiveness is equally amazing. Chang circuit has become quite an easy ground for me right now with all the other experiences that I have gained over the course of one year. Having said that, of course, there are the likes of contenders such as Nakarin who is a home-grown rider, KIP and Helmi who are extremely strong in the race category which does not make it an easy feat after all. But I do look forward to winning tomorrow.” Nakarin Atiratphuvapat made it third fastest in FP, combined with his best at 1’39:709s. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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VEDA, FAST AT CHANG

2023, 2023 Round 6, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The battle for the best in the Asia Production 250cc begun today at the Chang International Circuit. Veda Ega Pratama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM made his mark today as the fastest man in the practice sessions, combined for Round 6 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. In FP1 that happened this morning, the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM boys went on to mark their territories when they took the top three fastest positions with Veda Ega clocking in fastest with his best lap time at 1’52:346s followed by Rheza Danica at 1’52:621s and Herjun Atna at 1’52:884s. In FP2, Veda Ega once again went on to make the fastest lap time at 1’52:247s. Second fastest was Cao Viet Nam of Honda Racing Vietnam Team with his best lap time at 1’52:804s. Rheza Danica clocked in third fastest with his best lap time at 1’52:851s. In FP3, Veda Ega maintained his momentum as we went on once again to score the fastest lap time at 1’51:714s. The young chap who made his debut in the race category this season has not only succeeded in accomplishing goals but has also been a challenge to his own teammates with his extraordinary skills. In Race 1 of the season opener, Veda flaunted his moves and finished second. Chang may not be a problem for him this weekend. With a total of 135 points in his hands, he currently sits at the third spot overall and will be battling for the top three spots overall. Commenting on the FP session, Veda Ega said, “I am quite familiar with the circuit because I raced in the Asia Talent Cup last season. Not forgetting Round 1 of the season which has given me some valuable experience for this round. I am quite confident here. I have a good feeling on this circuit although today, the lap time was not fantastic for me, in my opinion. I will do better tomorrow for sure. The layout has two long-straights and high-speed corner which makes it interesting but at the same time challenging. The last corner is also tough as it is a little narrow but I will do my best in the qualifying tomorrow and I hope to win in the race.” Making it second and third fastest in FP3 and combined was Jakkreephat Puettisan of Honda Racing Thailand and Mohammed Faerozi of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia with their best lap time at 1’51:819s and 1’52:006s. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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FIRST MOVE FOR THE WEEKEND

2023, 2023 Round 6, Latest News, Uncategorized, Underbone 150 /

It was “all-out” for the riders of the Underbone 150cc race category as they went on their final round for the season at the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Md Shafiq Rasol of ONEXOX TKKR Racing Team concluded the day as the fastest in the practice sessions, combined at Chang International Circuit. In FP1 earlier this morning, Hafiza Rofa of ONEXOX TKKR Racing Team made his mark with his best lap time at 2’00:519s followed by April King of UMA Racing MMR YAMAHA Philippines at 2’00:724s and Akid Aziz of CARDINALS FACTORY RACING TEAM ARRC at 2’01:161s. In FP2, teammates, Shafiq Rasol and Hafiza Rofa took the top two fastest spots in the chart with their best lap time at 2’00:098s and 2’00:665s respectively. Nazirul Izzat of UMA Racing YAMAHA Maju Motor ASEAN made it third fastest at 2’00:061s. Shafiq who will be fighting for the championship title this weekend alongside Nazirul Izzat seemed to have come full prepared and went on with his best moves to familiarise the circuit grounds today. Shafiq definitely has what it takes to make it with flying colours, even more so with his win in Race 1 of the season opener at the very same circuit. He currently takes the second spot in the overall standings and is 44 points away from his contender. But again, anything is possible in the UB150 race category. Commenting on the earlier sessions, Shafiq said, “During FP1 earlier, the team and I were still looking out for the right setup and we managed to get an enhanced performance with some changes. Hence, the better lap time. For tomorrow’s qualifying session, I will continue to do better for sure. For the race, we do not have any team order or strategy in place. It is not going to be easy to get the championship title because of the point difference. I will try to do it but my goal is to maximise my points in whichever way possible. For me, I find the last corner tough. The space is quite limited around that area and I foresee a competitive battle there.” Taking the second fastest spot was his teammate Md Hafiza Rofa with his best lap time for the day at 2’00:519s. April King Mascardo took third fastest with his best lap time at 2’00:724s. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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HIROKI EXCELLENT AT CHANG

2023, 2023 Round 6, Latest News, TVS Asia One Make /

The TVS Asia One Make Championship embarked on its final mission for the season today in Round 6 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Hiroki Ono of Japan made an impressive lap time, emerging as the fastest for the day in the practice sessions, combined held at Chang International Circuit. In FP1 earlier today, Muzakkir Mohamed of Malaysia marked fastest when he clocked in at 1’50:792s. Vorapong of Thailand made it second fastest with his best lap time at 1’50:852s followed by Ramdan Rosli of Malaysia at third fastest with his best lap time at 1’51:202s. In FP2, Hiroki Ono of Japan emerged fastest at 1’50:013s. At second fastest was Muzakkir with his best and improved lap time at 1’50:695s. Sarthak Chavan of India, new to the championship for the season clocked in third fastest with his best lap time at 1’50:905s. With that, Hiroki concluded today’s session as the fastest. Hiroki may not have had prior experience at Chang but his experience as a rider on the international front speaks volume as he went on to showcase extraordinary achievements since Japan. The rider had one DNF in Race 2 on his home- ground but that was all the lesson it took for him to claim five consecutive wins and a total of 125 points. Commenting on the session today, Hiroki said, “This is my first time on this circuit ground but I find it easy compared to Japan. My first impression when I rode, I noticed wide safety areas within the circuit which gives me the additional confidence and boost. Between FP1 and FP2, I did not change anything on the machine except for my riding styles. FP1 was more of familiarising and FP2 was trying out what works best on this circuit. It worked for me. I will try to improve my lap time further for tomorrow during the qualifying and of course, for the race, I will put on a good show to keep up with home- ground boy Vorapong and Muzakkir.” Taking the second fastest spot was Md Muzakkir Mohamed of Malaysia with his best lap time at 1’50:695s. Third fastest was Vorapong Malahuan of Thailand with his best lap time at 1’50:862s. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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TEAMMATE RIVALRY

2023, 2023 Round 6, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

What a victorious move it was when ONEXOX BMW TKKR Team’s star rider, Markus Reiterberger hit a home run with a double-win, instantly rewarding him with the Champion title! Where does that leave defending champion Md Zaqhwan Zaidi of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA? With his teammate Andi Farid lining up in the attempt for the first runner-up, Round 6 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at Chang International Circuit is bound to get feisty. It was not a bed of roses for the Malaysian rider this season. Finishing on the podium seven times but not a single shot at the winning spot throughout the ten races, the struggle has been quite evident in the presence of the German rider who stole the limelight for the season. Nevertheless, Zaqhwan has put on quite show in all five rounds, grounding himself firmly, next in line. To-date, the all-smiles lad has saved up a total of 150 points and is 16.5 points ahead of his robust teammate who has also demonstrated his ability in handling the big league. It is not an easy task undoubtedly, juggling between the pressure of maintaining his stature and managing the rivalries of the likes but Zaqhwan has certainly has hit the ground running and is up for one last challenge before the curtains close. Commenting on the season, Zaqhwan said, “This has been a pretty tough season for me but I think I can take some credit for my performances overall. I have been quite consistent this season and made it to the podium in most of the races. For that, I am proud of my achievements thus far. The main issues have always been the setup of the suspensions and the electronic matter. During the practice sessions, I have discussed with my crew member, Chip to try and resolve the problem however it has been an on-going matter that I think would require more time and attention. Nevertheless, I have tried to be as competitive as possible with the rivalries. Actually, I have been really happy with my teammate because Andi is a very easy person and communication is made simpler with him. Even when we face a difficult situation, we always speak about it and help each other to improve. Of course, during the race, it is about being the best and in a way, he is also a rival but together, we are stronger. For the coming season, I am not sure what is in the pipeline but I believe that the team has a better plan. So, we just have to wait for it. For now, my goal is to win the final round and gain a better result.” A debutante in the ASB1000 race category but a quick study, Andi Farid has flaunted his moves, striding alongside the seasoned riders. With a total of 133.5 points in hand, the promising Indonesian rider has accomplished the odds throughout the season by positioning himself among the top five riders. Even more striking was his success on the podium twice this season which further accentuated his overall standings. The former champion of SS600 race category, Andi is a perfect semblance of brain behind the brawn. His reserved personality is quite the opposite of his professional capabilities where actions are amplified. Can he take down his teammate at Chang? Commenting on the coming race, Andi Farid said, “To be honest, there is still so much that needs to be done to improve generally especially in the area of suspensions and electronics setup as well as the race pace. But so far, I think I have been improving in every race but it is still not enough to fight competitively especially with the top riders in the game. My goal is to achieve that. There is a lot more to learn and I try to pick up as much as I can, where I can. Zaqhwan has always shared his expertise in the field especially in improving the performances and as a senior in the race category, I have learnt a great deal from him. It is always good to have a strong teammate because without them, we may not recognise our strengths and weaknesses. In terms of the machine, it does not lack much. I think it is in a fantastic condition. Somehow, we still find it difficult to take down Markus. So, that’s where we need to work on. The last round will be at Chang once again. I personally enjoy the layout. During Round 1, we had a good fight until the very last corner. The thrill is unexplainable. I am quite sure that it would be yet another exciting feat in the coming round. Whatever said and done, I am looking forward to that challenge and will be at my best behaviour to ensure a good outcome. As for the future plans, I can’t say much about it for now. Racing in the ASB1000 race category is still new for me and with practice, comes perfection. Whatever plans in the pipeline is entirely Honda’s decision.” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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KIP, CHIP OR SOICHIRO?

2023, 2023 Round 6, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

It was a fast and fury ride among the SuperSports 600cc race category’s rising stars in the recent race which left an unsettled ambiguity in its rivalry. Who will become the next champion? Could it be the long-standing leader Khairul Idham Pawi of Boon Siew Honda Racing Team, the equally competitive Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of Honda Racing Thailand or Soichiro Minamimoto of YAMAHA GEN BLU Racing Team ASEAN who has been raking up the chart very quickly? Round 6 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship which will be held at Chang International Circuit will say it all. Season 2023 has blurred the lines of the best especially with the likes of extraordinary riders who have successfully pulled a stunner throughout five rounds. But, among them, the intensity spiked among KIP, Chip Nakarin and Soichiro who blazed the trails for newfound benchmarks in the SS600 race category. The trio made it onto the podium six times and has presented a unique disposition in the art of manoeuvring the high-powered machine – all of which sums up to their advantages and disadvantages on the circuit ground. What would Chang circuit hold for them? Both KIP and Chip’s performances on the circuit speak a volume of their mastery but with Soichiro’s formidable progress over the last few rounds, the duo has to belt and brace at all cost. Commenting on the race, KIP said, “The coming round is definitely going to be a tough one. The championship points are very close to each other therefore the pressure is going to be mounting. But again, we are all in the game together hence I believe the anxiety is pretty much the same for everyone. We will do our best for sure. In Zhuhai, I made a mistake during qualifying and that impacted my overall result for the weekend. It is undoubtedly tough to start a race from the back. But I made a good finish in Race 1. I learnt my mistakes which is good so that I don’t repeat that in the coming round. My main contender would be Chip because it is his home-ground and he is strong there. This season, overall, has been really good for me. I have managed to maintain my consistency throughout. Although there were I did not finish the race or didn’t finish podium but I have improved a lot this season compared to the last. It takes time and I think I can do more. The machine is similar to the other teams but of course, there are some advantages and disadvantages in each machine that makes up for an equal fight. The goal is to fight for the championship title. It is definitely also the goal of the team. But I will not stress myself too much instead just focus on doing my best and give my 100% to the race.” Hearing it from Chip, he said, “The coming round would probably be the most exciting one throughout the season because I stand a chance to take the champion title on my home-ground. I have prepared myself both physically and mentally and I think I am much stronger now. No matter what happens, I will make sure that I try my best to make the most of it. The race at Zhuhai was quite unpredictable. For example, the red flag in Race 1 saved the day as it gave me an opportunity to finish fourth. In Race 2, I made a mistake but I was able to recover and win. I was very lucky that weekend. My greatest rival is definitely the leader, Super KIP. He rode very well in Round 1 and not the mention his preciseness in each corner. The most valuable lesson for me was in Round 3 when I made a mistake that resulted in a DSQ. I lost my points there. In terms of the machine, there is barely any disadvantage. Equally important would be the rider’s adaptation towards the machine and so far, it has been good. I aim to the champion in the SS600 race category this season and if I do, I would like to step up in my game and move to a higher cc race category. My goal is to continuously strive and become better wherever I am.” Soichiro said, “In my opinion, the final round is going to be superbly interesting for sure as the championship is close. Frankly, the Chang circuit may be a little tough for us, Yamaha riders. The braking of our rivals is very strong on that circuit ground. We do have our strategies in place though and it is a matter of applying right. The goal for every top rider would be to take the championship title. I will first have to win he race as usual. Looking back at the recent race in Zhuhai, I thought that it would be tougher there but I was really happy to have gotten myself onto the podium in both races. For me, my ultimate rivals are KIP and Nakarin. They have definitely showcased their strengths in Round 1 at the circuit. I did not really expect to compete this well throughout the season considering their abilities to defend the positions. I tried to pick up during each round and I know that my team has been working hard to make sure stay on par with the best in the game. Winning the championship would be a gift to my team for their endless support. So, key in this would be focusing on win and nothing less!” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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WHO WILL IT BE?

2023, 2023 Round 6, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Entertaining at its best, the riders of the Asia Production 250cc has taken the game up a notch with their mind-blowing performances. Rising above it all are duo of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM, Rheza Danica Ahrens and Herjun Atna Firdaus who can’t seem to get enough as they navigate through the challenges of rivalry to be the best. The Indonesians are just one round away from making it in their games. But between them, who would hail as champion? It’s all happening this weekend in Round 6 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Chang International Circuit. Taking a double-win at the season opener, Rheza immediately awed the audience with his extraordinary performances but his teammate Herjun began getting his grip from round 2 onwards before darting a bullseye with a hat-trick in round 3 and round 4. The two key riders of ASTRA HONDA are undeniably well equipped with the ideals of a perfect rider and although the 23-point difference holds them apart with Rheza having the upper-hand, it is a matter of time before mastery and fate collides and the narratives takes an entirely different direction. Commenting on the coming race, Rheza said, “It was a fantastic start for us at Chang International Circuit, to be honest. Then, as expected, there was a cut of 500 in RPM after Malaysia and another 500 in Sugo. That was devastating and challenging at the same time. I struggled a little bit in that situation but to be frank, the team got over it almost immediately and did a great job to make sure that I was still competitive and fast on the circuit. Without challenges, where is the fun in racing, isn’t it? I still am very happy with our performances and I do hope that luck would be on my side in the coming last two races at Chang. The circuit is one of my favourites in the ARRC calendar. So, definitely I look forward to the coming round with the hope that it will go as planned without any major setbacks.” The ever-positive spirited lad continued, “I have a lot of confidence in my team and I am pretty certain that I have a big chance for the title win this season. It all boils down to effort as well. I can’t afford to sit back and relax. It is hard work from the beginning till the end. The machine is a complete package and has been complemented me well throughout the season. It is undoubtedly fast and that is one of its best features, thanks to my crew. I enjoyed every moment aboard the machine. When it comes to my teammate, we share a lot of things about the race during the race week. We brainstorm where we can and work out on issues pertaining to the circuit. I am fully motivated for the next season and I hope to be just as competitive like this season. I have learnt a lot throughout this season and I will move forward with that knowledge for a better outcome.” Herjun on the other hand said, “This is the second season that I have been making my mark in the AP250 race category. It gives me great honour to be in the fight for the Asia Champion title this season. Personally, my most memorable moment was Round 4 in Mandalika where I took the double win in the presence of my parents. That win was priceless. In Zhuhai however, I had a bad time in Race 1 which cost me valuable points. I made a mistake at that time in the first lap, at the last corner. It was a tough time as I had to deal with my emotions to make it back on the podium. In Race 2, I managed to embrace it and made it third. So, the overall experiences that I had in the last two rounds has been somewhat a bitter-sweet memory for me and I am grateful for it.” He went on to say, “I understand that my biggest rival are my teammates who are really good in their games. But whatever said and done, I am focused on my own achievements. I believe that if I do well, it will benefit the team overall. This time around, I think I have improved tremendously and that has worked well for the machine too. So, it is a combination of man and machine. Definitely, our crew has been a great addition and support in our overall achievement’s throughout. For the coming round, I am aware that the challenges are inevitable. The part that will be tough in my opinion is the two long straights, even more so with the RPM cut of 1000 which will surely make a whole lot of difference. Nevertheless, I have speed in sector three, so there is an upside! The team has been ever supportive, be it when I won or lost. They have been my backbone. I will do my best as a rider. Buriram, here I come!” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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ONE MORE TO GO!

2023, 2023 Round 6, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

From flag-off to the chequered flag, the Underbone 150cc race category is an action-filled race series that has never failed to leave the audience at the edge of their seats. What makes it even more exciting is the ability of its riders to make bold moves and strike at the right moment to free themselves of the mounting pressure trailing them. Among them, Nazirul Izzat of UMA Racing YAMAHA Maju Motor Asia Team and Shafiq Rasol of ONEXOX TKKR Racing Team are two exemplary riders who have fought a good fight in breaking the barriers and will do it one more time in a bid to claim the Champion title in Round 6 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at Chang International Circuit this weekend. Both the Malaysian riders have been in their A-game throughout the season with Nazirul bagging a spot on the podium five times including three wins whereas Shafiq, four times including two wins. Not easy but they did it. The riders have showcased their capacities not only in the manoeuvring techniques but also in managing their strategies, on-the-go. The UB150 race category comes with its unique proposition where everyone is presented with the opportunity to win and this is where the riders’ quick act matters. It’s either make or break! Nazirul and Shafiq seemed to have discovered the winning tactic but who would rise above the challenge this time around? Nazirul commented, “At Chang circuit, I will do my best and fight to be ahead of the troop. At the same time, I also have to be really careful this time around. My goal is to get enough points in both races and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I would be able to make it champion this time around. I really like Chang circuit but I have not had the luck just yet to take a spot on the podium so far. What I have achieved though it the fastest lap time at the circuit. I am hoping though that this time around, I would be able to stand on the podium. Of course, I have some weakness in a number of turns and I think the toughest one would be the last corner because it is quite narrow and everyone will be rushing towards the finish line. So have to be a little careful over there. My machine however has been in an excellent condition throughout the season. I have been quite consistent from round 1 up until today. But from round 2 onwards, my luck has been really good and I managed to get onto the podium. The setup of the machine has really helped me in my achievements overall. As for the preparation for the coming round, I have been working out; jogging and gym. We also do some training at Sepang circuit and also at the go-kart track. The trainings are not too strenuous to avoid any injuries that would hamper our road towards the championship title. I am thankful for the good memories this season when I won and finished podium in the races. Of course, there has been some hard time too. More like a pressure especially in Zhuhai because there is a constant need to maintain the standings. To a point where I think my performances was impacted. The underbone race category is one of the most interesting one and it is unpredictable but I love it! Round 6, here I come!” Shafiq on the other hand said, “I personally think that Round 6 will be very competitive as it is the last round for the season. The Chang circuit is one that favour a lot because there are many rolling speed corners especially the last turn which is highly anticipated. I have to stay focused in both races and try my best to win it so that I can obtain maximum points of 25 each. Without that, the chances of me taking the championship title will be tough as there is a difference of 44 points between myself and my contender. I will go all out to try and make that happen. Throughout the season, the team has worked really hard in providing me with a well-set machine. That has gone a long way in helping me with my standings overall. I was DNF twice this season because I fell at Sepang once and another time in Japan. That has cost me the points in the race. This is the first time I am racing in the UB150 race category but I gained a lot of experience as a wildcard rider at Sepang in the last season. That has definitely helped me with my performances this year. As an underbone rider, I have to say that I have gained a lot of experiences especially riding alongside riders who are not just experts in their game but one of the best in Asia. For me, this has been one of my biggest moments therefore I will not take it lightly in the coming round.” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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FINAL CALL FOR THE SEASON!

2023, 2023 Round 6, Latest News, TVS Asia One Make /

Quite a ride it has been in the TVS Asia One Make Championship throughout five rounds of this season. With the participation of highly competitive riders coupled with a powerful machine, the show has become increasingly compelling. Raking it high on the charts and in contention of the championship title are Malaysian duo, Mohamed Muzakkir and Md Ramdan Rosli as well as defending champion, Vorapong Malahuan of Thailand who will be gearing up for the season finale at the Chang International Circuit. Round 6 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will be the final call. Vorapong Malahuan returned this season after carving history last year as the very first champion in the debut season of the race category. He had a flying start when he took the double-win at his home- ground circuit but his capacities were tested instantly with the presence of Malaysian duo, Muzakkir and Ramdan who took him down in their home circuit. The battle continued as they charged at each other for the most sought-after spot. Vorapong went on to lead the chart for the following two rounds but in a twist of fate, a casualty between him and Ramdan gave Muzakkir a lucky break to take a leap up the leaderboard. Vorapong commented, “Frankly speaking, this season has been quite a show especially with at least five to six highly capable riders. Especially Hiroki who made his entry since Round 3. He has been really strong in all sectors and he is capable of riding using slick tires. That is something that I have to learn from him. There are definitely some major differences compared to last season especially in terms of the lap time. The lap time are comparatively similar to that of the AP250. So, it is challenging. For the upcoming round, I will have to up my performances for sure. Top five competitors are really strong therefore I can’t afford to take a much-relaxed approach. I won twice in Round 1 but I had technical issues in Japan and in Zhuhai, I lost the championship points. It was a tough time, this season. In terms of the machine, in my professional views, it was developed for international circuits and second-year running, it has made quite a significant impact. The information provided by our fifteen riders have been crucial in their development for each round. For the coming round, I will do my best. I am still highly motivated to ride but at the same time, I also want to coach. So, next season maybe a different scene entirely for me.” Ramdan on the other hand said, “So far, this season has been good for me. I have truly enjoyed this category and it has given me a different perspective overall in terms of riding techniques and handling. Honestly, I thought I could win the championship title but to be fair, it has been tough especially with four riders fighting for the same spot. I am focused though to have a good race in Round 6 and to finish on the podium for both races. I did have some issues at Chang circuit in Round 1 but I would like to leave that behind and move forward with the overall experience that I gained this season to ensure that the mistakes are not repeated. The pressure is definitely there. No doubt! Any rider would feel a certain kind of anxiety but the goal is to give my best and minimise errors where possible. The level of competitiveness in the TVS Asia race category has definitely improved. Some of them with prior experiences from the debut season and some who are new. We have the likes of Hiroki who has been able to inject a different kind of thrill which makes it even more compelling. At the moment, I just want to finish the season with a good note and get an awesome result. For the coming season, I do hope that I can race in ARRC again!” As for Muzakkir, he said, “It is a season of ups and downs for me but understandably, this is motorsports. I have experienced this many times so I am able to manage my expectations will this time around. TVS has done an awesome job with the championship – the professionalism of the crew members and the machine’s capacities are exceptional. It has been a happy moment for me each time we raced. Being in contention for championship is solely a one-man’s job. As it is a one-make series, there are no teammates. Everyone has the same goal which is to win. My strategy has been the same throughout the season which is to stand tall on the podium and complete the race with maximum points. One of the challenges would be the machine in each round. We get different machines and sometimes, it is a fantastic one and sometimes we get the ones that has crashed before. Having said that, the mechanics of TVS Asia always did a great job to ensure optimisation of the machines. Racing at Buriram, which is like my second home and one of my favourite circuits, I have a better confidence. Sector 2 is my strong point and with a perfect setup, I think I can make it. Of course, we have the likes of Ramdan and Hiroki who are both world championship riders, Vorapong who is the defending champion and not forgetting Piyawat and Decky who are all great riders. But again, we all have our own set of skills, equally competitive. Sometimes, what matters more is plain luck.” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

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