2024

Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin of UMA Racing YAMAHA Maju Motor Asia Team has emerged as a dominant force in the UB150 category of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Following Round 3, where he secured P2 and P3 in Race 1 and Race 2 respectively, Nazirul now holds the top position in the overall standings. Nazirul’s journey through the first half of the season has been challenging, but he remains grateful for maintaining his leadership: “Alhamdulillah. It was indeed a challenging period for me, both physically and mentally. However, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead the overall standings. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of my team and me.” Looking ahead, Nazirul is focused on defending his overall championship title, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum: “There’s a good chance of defending our title if my team and I can continue the momentum we’ve built so far. We are constantly refining our strategies and pushing ourselves to the limit in every race.” Despite the emerging threat from Md Akid Aziz of PitsBike OneWay JRT Tech2 Racing Team, who is closing in on the rankings, Nazirul remains unfazed. He emphasizes his commitment to consistent performance and focuses solely on collecting points in every race: “For me, it’s crucial not to be distracted by external factors. My team and I are solely focused on maintaining our momentum and maximizing our points in each race. Every point counts in the championship race.” To ensure he maintains his lead, Nazirul outlines comprehensive plans for continuous improvement: “My team and I are constantly evaluating and improving our motorcycle setup and race strategies. We analyze data meticulously after each race to identify areas for enhancement. Personally, I am committed to improving my physical fitness and stamina, which are crucial in maintaining peak performance throughout the season.” Preparations for the upcoming round at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia are already well underway. Nazirul is actively collaborating with his team to refine strategies and enhance his physical readiness: “We are leaving no stone unturned in our preparations for Mandalika. I’ve been intensively studying the circuit and discussing race strategies with my team. On the physical side, I am rigorously following my fitness routine, focusing on strength and endurance training to ensure I’m in peak condition.” Reflecting on his past successes in Mandalika, where he clinched P1 in Race 1 and P2 in Race 2 last year, Nazirul expresses confidence in maintaining momentum: “Inshaallah, with the continued support of my team and our persistence, I believe we can replicate or even surpass our achievements from last year. I am eager to showcase our capabilities once again.” “We understand that the Underbone category is highly competitive, with each team employing different setups and strategies. The challenge lies in adapting quickly and effectively to changing conditions on race day, ensuring that our motorcycle setup and race strategy are finely tuned to maximize performance.”

Competing in the ASB1000 category in the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo has set his sights on achieving greatness, and his journey so far has been nothing short of inspiring. Nakarin’s rise in the racing world is a testament to his hard work and natural talent. Last year, he competed in the SS600 category, where he emerged as a formidable contender, finishing third in the overall championship standings. This impressive performance paved the way for his transition to the ASB1000 category with Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo. Entering the ASB1000 category this year, Nakarin faced new challenges and tougher competition. However, his adaptability and resilience have been evident from the start. After the first three rounds, Nakarin accumulated 74 points, placing him fourth overall in the championship standings. He trails Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT Racing Team, who leads with 81 points, followed by Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of TKKR BMW Racing Team with 76 points, and his teammate, Andi Farid Izdihar, who has 75 points. Nakarin shared his thoughts, “I felt very confident and strong during the race. In the first two rounds, it seemed like I was putting too much pressure on myself, but now I am more stable than ever. I try to stay calm and read the other riders without taking too many risks. I focus on maintaining my composure and making strategic decisions that will benefit my performance in the long run. My current approach allows me to race smarter and more effectively.” Moreover, Nakarin’s transition to the 1000cc bike has been seamless, thanks to his experience and ability to quickly adapt to new challenges. “I can adapt quickly to the 1000cc bike, as I gained valuable experience last year in the local championship. Finding the right bike settings for each circuit is crucial, and there are many electronic systems to try out. I am also learning a lot from my teammates, and we share insights to improve our performance collectively. This collaborative environment helps me grow as a rider and better understand the intricacies of the bike.” The ASB1000 category has introduced Nakarin to a new level of competition, one that he eagerly embraces. “I thoroughly enjoy racing in this category, as it features many experienced riders from the world stage. Each race has a different winner, which adds to the excitement and challenge. I have already secured a spot in the top 4, and I believe that my dream of becoming the champion is not far away. I just need to continue believing in myself and pushing forward with determination and focus.” Nakarin’s relentless pursuit of excellence and his high motivation to improve his riding skills are driving forces in his quest for a top-three finish. “I feel very challenged and highly motivated to never stop improving my riding skills. Achieving a top 3 position is my target, and I am constantly working towards that goal. My abilities are now comparable to those of a champion, and I am committed to refining my techniques and strategies to reach the pinnacle of success. The drive to be the best keeps me pushing my limits and striving for excellence in every race.”

Indonesian rider, Andi Farid Izdihar of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo faced a challenging and frustrating race weekend at the ASB1000 Round 3 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship held at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan. Despite his excellent performance earlier in the season, Round 3 proved to be a significant setback for the talented rider. Andi’s season began on a high note with an excellent performance in Round 1, where he secured second place in Race 1 and claimed victory in Race 2. His momentum continued into Round 2, where he finished in second place in Race 1, before Race 2 was cancelled due to inclement weather. These strong performances kept Andi at the top of the overall standings heading into Round 3. However, the race at Motegi was anything but smooth for Andi. In Race 1, he experienced some issue as early as lap 2, forcing him out of the race and registering a DNF (Did Not Finish). In Race 2, despite a strong effort, he could only manage to finish in P6. These results caused him to drop to third place in the overall standings. “In Race 1, I made a mistake at the start and lost positions, so I pushed hard to regain them, but I lost front grip. In Race 2, I felt good at the beginning, but from the middle to the end of the race, I struggled to open the throttle because the bike was too aggressive. I tried to manage the power mode, but it was still not enough.” Andi expressed his disappointment “It was a difficult weekend for me in Motegi, and I want to forget this round and focus on the next race. We faced challenges that were out of our control, but I am confident that we can bounce back stronger.” When asked about dropping to third place in the overall standings, Andi acknowledged the difficulty but emphasized his determination to reclaim the top spot. “Tough weekend in Motegi, and it’s frustrating to see that we dropped to third in the standings, but I am confident we can collect more points in Mandalika. I can’t wait for Round 4,” he said. Andi’s focus now shifts to the next round at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia. As the only Indonesian rider in the ASB1000 category, Andi is eager to shine on home soil and aims for redemption. “Racing at home is a significant advantage. I want to give my best performance and hopefully reclaim the top spot,” he expressed with enthusiasm. Andi expressed his excitement about the challenges ahead. “The championship is becoming more interesting with each round, and I am excited about it. The competition is tough for sure, but I thrive on it,” He also acknowledged the strength of his rivals, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of TKKR BMW Racing Team, including his teammates, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat and Md Zaqhwan Zaidi, and the importance of rigorous training. “I knew from the start that this year would be challenging in ASB1000. Everyone is strong, and I have been preparing for this from the beginning.” Moreover, Andi’s love for the Mandalika track further fuels his optimism. “I like the track because it has many fast corners that I enjoy, and my favorite parts are sectors 3 and 4. Racing at Mandalika is special for me, and I am confident that we can deliver a strong performance.” With the support of the home crowd and dedication, Andi is poised to make a remarkable comeback in the upcoming race.

As few expected a 14-year-old to steal the show, Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa of the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM did just that, turning heads with his incredible back-to-back victories in Race 1 and Race 2 of Round 3 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Kiandra’s journey to this moment wasn’t without its successes. The first two rounds saw him secure respectable P5 and P6 finishes, but his performances in Japan were on an entirely different level. The young Indonesian rider had been quietly laying the groundwork for something spectacular. “I dedicated myself to making significant improvements, intensifying both my physical conditioning and bike training before Round 3, and it really showed in my performance. Winning both Race 1 and 2 in Motegi was beyond my wildest dreams, and it made me incredibly happy,” Kiandra said. The backdrop now shifts to Indonesia, where the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit awaits. This is more than just another race; it’s a homecoming for Kiandra. The buzz around his upcoming performance is palpable, with fans eager to see their local hero shine. “After achieving this result, I now have more confidence in myself heading into the races in Mandalika. But I must stay grounded and avoid overconfidence. I will work even harder for Round 4. I am doing extra practice for the coming Round 4 because I have a cut of 200 rpm, and I must be able to cover this shortcoming,” he stated. Looking ahead, Kiandra’s ambitions are crystal clear. “My plan for Round 4 is to win again. We need to work even harder because my competitors, who are also strong Indonesian riders, are formidable. The only way to succeed is to be stronger than them,” he concluded.