2024

The TVS Asia One Make Championships of Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship gets bigger and better each round and this time around, it would be hitting the circuit ground of PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit for its Round 5. The race towards the championship title is on. Hiroki Ono of Japan is almost there but will Ramdan Rosli of Malaysia hold him back? The long-standing battle between Hiroki and Ramdan came to a halt when the straight-A boy, poised and unbeatable was defeated last round in Race 2. The Japanese lad had been hitting a flat, 25-point in each race over the course of seven races was challenged in an intense feat at Mandalika and after a strenuous try, the Malaysian proved his worth in what seemed an impossible attempt considering Hiroki’s flying colours. Will Hiroki bounce back up and take the winning title in Round 5? It is hard to say especially with Sepang being Ramdan’s home-ground which also means that he has the upper-hand in terms of familiarity and mileage on the race track. Additionally, having shed weight to fit in further in acceleration, Ramdan might have just found the key to unlock victory. But Hiroki on the other hand is known for his robust moves and technical capacities that matches the demands of the circuit, nimble in his pursuit to dominate in all the circuit grounds. Having said that, Sepang circuit may not necessarily be a problem for him. Commenting on the race, Hiroki said, “In the last race, Ramdan was quick to catch me during a small mistake. He’s a veteran after all. I respect him because he always fights clean. The next race is his home round and I am pretty sure that he has strategies already in place. The last time I raced in SIC was in 2016 in Moto3 so it has been 8 years now. It’s a difficult circuit for me, frankly but I like the challenge so I am not so worried about it. In terms of the machine, the chassis settings are solid and I find great feeling about it. But the engine revving is tough. Currently, I am busy because I compete in All Japan Championship while running my own team. I also run a riding school. I have limited time to train but I try my best to make adjustments in preparation for the race. My goal is to take a double win as usual but even if I don’t, I am confident that the championship title will come by the next round.” Commenting on the race, Ramdan said, “I have been managing the strategies from the previous races. I have analysed quite a bit and I am pretty confident that I can take the next win. It’s my home-ground so naturally, I have better mileage there and that’s my aim too. Of course, Hiroki is strong and he is definitely going in for yet another double-win. On my part, it’s my desire to win my home-race. So, I will go all out. In terms of the machine, it is the same and for me, I think it’s all about finding the comfort and momentum regardless of the machine. Throughout the season, the most significant difference in terms of my preparation is my effort in losing weight. I have been doing a lot of physical training to shed the extra load. This is one of my targets every round.”

“This brings back a lot of memories…” Looking at a photo taken at the Asia Road Racing Championship in 2016, the owner of HONDA ESTREMO YUZY RACING, Shahrol Yuzy Ahmad Zaini, was flooded with a sense of nostalgia and pride. Yuzy said, “At that time, my role as a team manager was both challenging and rewarding. We were collaborating closely with a team from Japan, which meant I had to manage and coordinate with a diverse group of people. It was a period of significant learning for me, particularly in handling the complexities of managing a large and international team. The experience taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, teamwork, and cross-cultural communication, which continue to benefit me and the team today.” Yuzy reflected on his racing team’s journey in the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). “Our journey with the ARRC began in 2011 when Yuzy Racing made its debut. Over the past 12 years, participating in the ARRC has been an incredible learning experience for us. The competition has always been fierce, but it has been instrumental in developing our riders’ skills and professionalism. We’ve also gained crucial insights into managing a team across different countries, which has helped us grow into a more cohesive and strategic unit. Each year, we faced new challenges and opportunities that contributed to our evolution and success in the racing world.” Yuzy shared a particularly memorable moment: “We have many valuable memories from our time in the ARRC. One unforgettable moment was when our riders, Md Rozaiman Said and Md Amirul Ariff Musa, both stood on the podium in first and second place during Round 5 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2013 at the AutoPolis International Racing Course, Japan for the UB150 category. It was a proud achievement for our team.” When asked about rejoining the ARRC in the future, Yuzy did not hesitate to share his plans. “Without a doubt, we miss competing in the ARRC. The thrill of racing, the challenge of facing top-tier competitors, and the camaraderie within the team are aspects we deeply cherish. We are planning to return to the ARRC in the future. After the economic uncertainties caused by COVID, things are starting to stabilize, making it easier for us to find sponsors. While our last participation was in the UB150 category, we are considering entering more challenging categories like the AP250 and ASB1000. We believe these categories will provide an exciting new level of competition and allow us to showcase our growth.” “If we rejoin the ARRC, we hope for smoother processes regarding travel and logistics for all participating countries. Streamlining these arrangements would greatly enhance our experience and efficiency. More importantly, we wish for the ARRC to gain greater recognition and prominence in every country that hosts the championship. By elevating its profile and increasing its visibility in each host nation, the ARRC can foster a stronger connection with local audiences. This heightened recognition would not only enrich the event itself but also open up more opportunities for teams and riders to engage with the series in a meaningful and impactful way.”