2025 Round 6

HAFIZH’S HUNGER MET TRIUMPH

Nobody expected that a single Ducati could shake up the ASB1000 grid. But Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah made sure they did. Riding for JDT RACING TEAM, Hafizh entered the 2025 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship determined to improve on last year’s third-place finish. What the paddock didn’t anticipate was how dramatically he would elevate his game. In just his second season in ASB1000, Hafizh transformed from a strong contender into the benchmark for the category, making his challenge all the more remarkable as the lone Ducati rider in the field. From the opening round, Hafizh rode with the confidence of a man who knew exactly what he wanted. His aggression was calculated, his race pace sharper than ever, and his growth from 2024 was clear to see. Every round, he refined something. Every race became a lesson and opportunity to refine his bike. While others stumbled under pressure, Hafizh kept pushing, kept learning, kept improving. The Ducati demanded commitment, and Hafizh delivered. On tracks where the odds were against him, he fought his way into the front group. When the setups were not ideal, he salvaged crucial points with maturity. And when opportunities appeared, he struck with the sharpness of a rider who knew he had unfinished business. From P3 last season to the top step this year, Hafizh didn’t just win a title. He proved how far determination, evolution, and sheer hunger can take a rider. In the new season, can he do it all over again?

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KASMA, GLORY BY INCHES

Kasma didn’t expect to hear his name. Who would have guessed that a few slightly better finishing positions could decide an entire championship? For Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING, that was exactly how the SS600 category of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 unfolded. After finishing fourth in the final race, while his closest rival, Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM came third, Kasma was convinced the title had slipped away. The announcement that he was the overall champion left him both surprised and elated. The championship had been claimed by a razor-thin edge of consistent performance. After last season in ASB1000, Kasma returned to SS600 and had to readapt to the class, the competitors, and the rhythm of the category. Yet the familiarity of SS600 worked in his favor. He didn’t need to dominate every lap. He rode intelligently, made the most of every opportunity, and let experience guide him when the stakes were highest. Each podium, calculated overtake, and point collected reflected the adaptability, skill, and racecraft honed over years at the highest levels. When the championship was finally confirmed, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin didn’t just claim the SS600 title. He turned a season of uncertainties into a triumph even he hadn’t fully anticipated. And now, with the 2025 season etched into history, what remarkable moments will Kasma deliver next?

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ARBI: DEBUT TO DOMINANCE

  Some riders grow into a championship. Arbi arrived as if he had been ready all along. In his very first full season of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM rider treated the AP250 class not as a place to learn, but as a stage to own. Race after race, Arbi showed a maturity far beyond a debutant. Arbi is calm when the grid got chaotic, precise when the pressure rose, and fearless in moments most riders would hesitate. What defined his season wasn’t just speed. It was composure. Arbi rode with the clarity of someone who trusted his craft entirely. His corner entries were smooth, his exits sharp, and his overtakes carried a quiet confidence that left rivals second-guessing. Even in races where victory seemed far, he never broke rhythm. He calculated. He adapted. He struck at the perfect moment, often without drama, always with purpose. Those who watched closely noticed something else. Arbi is not loud, yet everything about him is intense. Intense in focus, intense in discipline, intense in the way he carries the responsibility of wearing the ASTRA HONDA colours. He listens, he learns, he refines. And, the results show. To end a first full season as Overall Champion is not common. To do it with the poise of a seasoned contender is exceptional. Arbi has set the bar high. If this is only the beginning, how far can he possibly go?

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NAKARIN WON, HAFIZH CHAMPION!

Round 6 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand, concluded with a thrilling Race 2 in the ASB1000 class. Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND claimed victory, and Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM crowned as the 2025 ASB1000 Overall Champion. At the drop of the lights, Nakarin stormed off the line with a strong start, immediately setting the pace at the front. He was closely followed by Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, and Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM in fourth position. Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM completed the top five early contenders. By lap three, Nakarin was in full control, setting the fastest lap of 1’35.911s and pulling a one-second gap from the chasing pack. His relentless pace continued as he improved further to 1’35.599s on lap four and 1’35.248s by lap five, gradually extending a commanding two-second lead. Meanwhile, the second group of Hafizh, Zaqhwan, and Keito engaged in a fierce battle for position, exchanging attacks and defending their lines with precision. Throughout the middle stages of the race, Nakarin maintained his advantage, while Hafizh faced mounting pressure from Zaqhwan and Keito. On lap eleven, Zaqhwan timed his move perfectly to overtake Hafizh and claim second, but the fight for the podium remained intensely competitive. The final lap saw Nakarin holding a comfortable 2.377s lead as he crossed the finish line to claim a dominant victory in 20’45.446s. Hafizh surged past Zaqhwan to finish second at 20’47.951s, while Zaqhwan secured third place at 20’48.060s, rounding off a thrilling podium. Despite finishing behind Nakarin in the race, Hafizh’s consistent performance throughout the season ensured he collected enough points to be crowned the 2025 ASB1000 Overall Champion with 193 points, narrowly ahead of Nakarin, who finished the season with 190 points. Keito Abe completed the top three in the championship standings with 170 points. Nakarin said, “I just tried to go for first position, but left it to the riders behind me to do the fighting. I did my best this season. We almost achieved the championship, but we are happy with the results we delivered. Next season, we will try even harder. I want to thank everyone who supported me, and congratulations to Hafizh.” Hafizh expressed after clinching the title, “No words can describe how I feel. Alhamdulillah, finally we did it. The hard work, the training, and everything we went through in Round 5 made us stronger to be here today. This win is for my boss, my family, the fans who always believed in me, those who doubted me, and also for my late grandmother. I am sure she is proud of me from up there.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (20’45.446s) 2. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (20’47.951s) 3. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (20’48.060s) 4. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (20’48.949s) 5. LACHLAN EPIS – SAVITAR RACING ASIA (21’02.639s) TOP 5 – OVERALL RIDER STANDINGS 1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (193 points) 2. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (190 points) 3. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (170 points) 4. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (168 points) 5. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (135 points) TOP 5 – OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS 1. IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (303 points) 2. JDT RACING TEAM (201 points) 3. HONDA RACING THAILAND (182 points) 4. SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (170 points) 5. A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM (133 points)

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THANAT WON, KASMA CHAMPION!

The final race of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand delivered one of the most dramatic and unpredictable SS600 showdowns. Race 2 concluded with Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND won home race, and Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING crowned as 2025 SS600 Overall Champion. As the race started, Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM launched strongly from the grid. However, his early advantage was short-lived as Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING and Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND swept past to take control. By the second lap, the running order shifted again when Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA TNP slotted into the lead, followed closely by Thanat and Kasma. Behind them, Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM carved his way through the pack, overtaking both Kasma and Anupab to climb into third place. The intensity increased as the riders entered the middle stages. Adenanta continued his charge, challenging Thanat and closing in on Apiwath. The two leaders exchanged positions repeatedly, with Thanat momentarily seizing the lead before Apiwath retaliated. Meanwhile, Aldi Satya Mahendra of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA produced a strong surge of his own, overtaking Anupab and gradually inserting himself into podium contention. The race reached a boiling point around lap 6, with Aldi moving up to second place while the front group compressed into a tight, unpredictable six-rider battle. By lap seven, Adenanta briefly took control of the race before Aldi countered to reclaim the lead. The following laps were defined by fierce but clean racing, with Aldi, Kasma, and Anupab locked in a high-speed contest for first place, while Thanat, Adenanta, and Apiwath traded blows for fourth. With the second group rejoining the leaders by lap 10, the fight for the win became a six-way sprint. Thanat produced the fastest lap of the race at 1’39.582s, re-entering podium contention just as the field approached the final lap. What happened next dramatically altered the course of the championship. In the last-lap chaos, Anupab made a decisive move to overtake Aldi and capture the lead. Adenanta then executed a brilliant overtake of his own, momentarily placing himself in position to win both the race and potentially the championship. However, disaster struck when he crashed out, ending his podium hopes and his season-long title pursuit in a single moment. The opening created by the incident allowed Thanat Laoongplio to sweep through and claim a sensational victory on home soil with a winning time of 20’07.296s. Aldi crossed the line in second at 20’07.458s, followed by Anupab in third at 20’07.647s. Despite missing out on the podium, Kasma’s strategic race management and consistent performance watched him secured the SS600 Overall Championship title for season 2025. He ended the season tied with Anupab on 167 points, but his overall results across the year placed him at the top of the standings. Adenanta concluded his campaign in third with 152 points after his unfortunate final-lap exit. Thanat said, “I have waited for this moment for so long! This is my first victory of the season, and winning on my home soil makes it even more meaningful and special. This one is for everyone who never stopped believing in me and has always supported me.” Kasma said, “This is truly a gift from Allah. I still can’t believe it. During the race, I was really nervous and focused on staying safe, just trying to stick with the front group without crashing and hoping for the best. But as I said, this is a blessing from Allah. Even though I didn’t finish on the podium today, I still secured the title. Alhamdulillah, Allah’s grace is boundless.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (20’07.296s) 2. ALDI SATYA MAHENDRA – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (20’07.458s) 3. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (20’07.647s) 4. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (20’08.188s) 5. APIWATH WONGTHANANON – YAMAHA TNP (20’08.226s) TOP 5 – OVERALL RIDER STANDINGS 1. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (167 points) 2. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (167 points) 3. MOHAMMAD ADENANTA PUTRA – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (152 points) 4. WAHYU NUGROHO – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (121 points) 5. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (120 points) TOP 5 – OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS 1. HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (267 points) 2. IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (215 points) 3. HONDA RACING THAILAND (195 points) 4. YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (192 points) 5. ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (190 points)

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KRITTAPAT WON, ARBI CHAMPION

Round 6 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand delivered a spectacular showdown in the AP250 Race 2, as Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM secured a hard-fought first AP250 victory on home soil after an electrifying final-lap battle with Noprutpong Bunprawes and newly crowned Overall Champion Fadillah Arbi Aditama. The race began with Krittapat making a solid launch to take the early lead, with Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM immediately giving chase and applying pressure in the opening corners. By Lap 2, Arbi overtook Krittapat, and the pair engaged in continuous position swaps as they built a one-second gap over the second group. Behind them, Noprutpong Bunprawes of HONDA RACING THAILAND initially held third, but later lost the spot to Davino Britani of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM. On Lap 4, Arbi attempted to break away, but Krittapat stayed glued to his rear wheel. Further back, Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA clocked the fastest lap of the race with a 1’51.683s, climbing steadily into sixth. By Lap 5, the Arbi and Krittapat’s duel continued, while Noprutpong reclaimed third from Davino to lead the chase group. In the final lap, the race erupted into a three-rider fight. Krittapat overtook Arbi, Noprutpong seized the moment and made his move past Arbi as well. Arbi rejoined the battle, turning the closing corners into an intense three-way sprint to the line. But it was Krittapat Keankum who crossed first, taking a dramatic victory in 18’45.076s, followed closely by Noprutpong in 18’45.209s. Arbi completed the podium with 18’46.086s. Krittapat said, “From the last lap onward, every turn reminded me why I was pushing. It’for my team, and for my family. And today, it all paid off. Winning my home race and claiming my first AP250 victory is an unforgettable moment. I’m so happy!” Arbi, who secured the 2025 AP250 Championship, said “At the end of the race, I forgot to set the engine brake map. When I braked and the bike kept rolling forward, I realised my mistake. I hit the brake hard, the bike slid, and I knew I wouldn’t save it. Still, it was a good effort and a big lesson for me. Well done to Krittapat, he managed to beat me today. It was a fun race overall; we fought cleanly, strongly and in a world-championship style. Thank you to my team, my mechanics and everyone who supported me throughout the season. See you next year! The level this year was very high, all the riders and bikes improved a lot. I’m proud to take the championship in this category, and I’m excited to try the next category and fight for the title again.”   TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. KRITTAPAT KEANKUM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (18’45.076s) 2. NOPRUTPONG BUNPRAWES – HONDA RACING THAILAND (18’45.209s) 3. FADILLAH ARBI ADITAMA – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (18’46.086s) 4. CANDRA H – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (18’52.539s) 5. PANJARUCH CHITWIRULCHAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (18’52.667s) TOP 5 – OVERALL RIDER STANDINGS 1. FADILLAH ARBI ADITAMA – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (212 points) 2. KRITTAPAT KEANKUM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (163 points) 3. MD IZAM IKMAL – VICTOR RACING TEAM (144 points) 4. MOHAMMAD MUROBBIL VITONI – YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM (122 points) 5. CANDRA H – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (121 points) TOP 5 – OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS 1. ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (277 points) 2. YAMAHA BAF YAMALUBE AKAI JAYA MBKW2 (170 points) 3. YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (163 points) 4. YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (158 points) 5. VICTOR RACING TEAM (144 points)

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PEERAPONG WON, HUSNI CHAMPION

Round 6 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand, witnessed an intense Race 2 in the UB150 category, where Thailand’s Peerapong Luiboonpeng of ONE FOR ALL clinched a dramatic home victory, while Husni Zainul Fuadzy secured the UB150 Overall Championship title for 2025. The race began with Ahmad Afif Amran of Pitsbike SuperFast JRT Rapido Racing Team making a solid launch to take the early lead, but with the nature of UB150 racing, positions changed rapidly from the very first lap. By Lap 2, all 27 riders were locked in a single large pack, with no one able to break away or create a meaningful gap. On Lap 3, Peerapong briefly took command before being overtaken by Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM. By Lap 5, Afif fought his way back to the front, while Fahmi and Dimas Juli Atmoko of RACETECH SIXTY Racing consistently kept themselves among the top group, navigating the chaos of the slipstream battles. Lap 6 saw Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM deliver the fastest lap of the race with a 2’02.132s, climbing from 15th to sixth. But in UB150, nothing was secure as the positions continued to shuffle turn by turn. Entering the final lap, the aggression intensified. Riders lunged from every angle in a desperate fight for victory. Ultimately, it was Thailand’s own Peerapong who emerged from the chaos to take the chequered flag on home soil with a winning time of 16’31.710s. John Emerson Inguito of 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team finished second at 16’31.778s, while Gupita Kresna Wardhana of ZIEAR LFN HP969 MCR RBT 34 secured third in 16’32.148s after a tight sprint to the line. Peerapong shared his joy, “This is my home soil, and I really wanted to prove myself. I believe in my team and in myself. Thank you to my team and to everyone who has supported me.” Meanwhile, the UB150 Overall Champion 2025, Husni shared, “This is my first season with this team, and Alhamdulillah, it has been a truly rewarding year. I hope I can maintain this position next season and in the years to come. Thank you to my boss, my team, and everyone who has supported me. I love you all!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. PEERAPONG LUIBOONPENG – ONE FOR ALL (16’31.710s) 2. JOHN EMERSON INGUITO – 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team (16’31.778s) 3. GUPITA KRESNA WARDHANA – ZIEAR LFN HP969 MCR RBT 34 (16’32.148s) 4. AHMAD AFIF AMRAN – Pitsbike SuperFast JRT Rapido Racing Team (16’32.214s) 5. HUSNI ZAINUL FUADZY – ZIEAR LFN HP969 MCR RBT 34 (16’32.315s) TOP 5 – OVERALL RIDER STANDINGS 1. HUSNI ZAINUL FUADZY – ZIEAR LFN HP969 MCR RBT 34 (238 points) 2. FAHMI BASAM – YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM (148 points) 3. AHMAD AFIF AMRAN – Pitsbike SuperFast JRT Rapido Racing Team (138 points) 4. DIMAS JULI ATMOKO – RACETECH SIXTY Racing (129 points) 5. ADYTYA FAUZI – JPNW SND FACTORY RACING (96 points) TOP 5 – OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS 1. ZIEAR LFN HP969 MCR RBT 34 (316 points)2. YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM (224 points) 3. Pitsbike Superfast JRT Rapido Racing Team (210 points) 4. RACETECH SIXTY Racing (195 points) 5. 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team (166 points)

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HIROKI OVERALL CHAMPION

Round 6 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship delivered a thrilling conclusion to the TVS ASIA One Make Championship at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, as Japan’s Hiroki Ono powered to a dominant Race 2 victory, securing his second consecutive overall championship title. The race ignited with India’s Sarthak Chavan blasting off the line to take the early lead, closely followed by Malaysia’s Md Haziq Md Fairues and Spain’s Luis Miguel. By Lap 2, Hiroki sliced his way through the front group to snatch the lead, while Malaysia’s Md Ramdan Rosli, who had a slower start, quickly regrouped and placed himself firmly in the lead pack. Sarthak maintained third as the pace intensified. On Lap 3, Hiroki stamped his authority by clocking the fastest lap of 1’49.918s, though Ramdan launched a strong attack to momentarily grab the front. Hiroki stayed composed, reclaiming the lead and defending fiercely. Lap 4 saw a bold and brilliant manoeuvre from Sarthak, who overtook both Hiroki and Ramdan in a single move to take command of the race, with Luis close behind and ready to strike. The battle remained unpredictable through Lap 5, as riders continued to shuffle positions in a tense, high-speed chess match at the front. By Lap 6, Hiroki tightened his rhythm, regained the lead, and began edging away, slowly but steadily opening the gap to the chasing group. On Lap 7, Haziq, who had climbed back to second, crashed out. Mere seconds later, Sarthak also fell on the same lap, abruptly ending both riders’ podium hopes. Entering the final lap, Hiroki had built a decisive three-second gap ahead of the rest. With a flawless and calculated performance, the Japanese star stormed past the chequered flag in 14’44.800s to claim victory. Ramdan finished second in 14’48.452s, while Luis Miguel secured third at 14’48.472s after a tight sprint to the line. With this triumph, Hiroki Ono clinched the 2025 TVS ASIA One Make Championship, amassing 239 points across the season. Malaysia’s Ramdan concluded the year as runner-up with 224 points, while Sarthak sealed third overall with 200 points. Hiroki expressed, “I’m really happy right now. Yesterday I finished fourth and that result wasn’t good for me, so today I changed my mentality completely. Compared to yesterday, I felt much more relaxed and focused only on my riding style, with one clear target which is victory. In the end, that mindset gave me a good advantage. I want to thank the organisers, the TVS ASIA One Make Championship staff, and everyone who supported me. This season was very tough because the riders came from a very high level, but I enjoyed it a lot. Finally, I’ve achieved this title, just like last year, so now I have two titles in total.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. HIROKI ONO – JAPAN (14’44.800s) 2. MD RAMDAN ROSLI – MALAYSIA (14’48.452s) 3. LUIS MIGUEL – SPAIN (14’48.472s) 4. KANATAT JAIMAN – THAILAND (14’52.313s) 5. JHON A LOPEZ C – COLOMBIA (14’52.388s) TOP 5 – OVERALL RIDER STANDINGS 1. HIROKI ONO – JAPAN (239 points) 2. MD RAMDAN ROSLI – MALAYSIA (224 points) 3. SARTHAK CHAVAN – INDIA (200 points) 4. LUIS MIGUEL – SPAIN (168 points) 5. CHIRANTH VISHWANATH – INDIA (114 points)

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HAFIZH CONQUERED THAILAND SOIL

Round 6 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 produced an electrifying Race 1 in the ASB1000 class at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand, where Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM claimed a breathtaking victory after a dramatic battle. At the drop of the lights, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA surged to an early lead, but Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND quickly asserted himself at the front, with Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES in third and Hafizh in fifth. Early drama unfolded as Zaqhwan served a long-lap penalty, dropping him to ninth. By Lap 3, Hafizh began asserting himself, setting the fastest lap 1’35.504s and moving into striking distance of the lead. What followed was a relentless exchange between Hafizh and Nakarin, as the two riders repeatedly overtook each other in a spectacular display of tactical brilliance. Keito remained a steady presence in the top three, while Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and Zaqhwan fought to keep pace in the front group. The race saw continuous position shuffles, with Hafizh exploiting his strength in Sector 2 to time his attacks perfectly. On Lap 12, Hafizh made the decisive move, overtaking both Nakarin and Andi to seize the lead. Nakarin, attempting to reclaim the position, made a costly mistake on the final turn and slipped off the podium. Hafizh crossed the line in 20’51.228s, with Andi securing second at 20’51.425s, and Keito completing the podium at 20’51.993s. Hafizh said, “I’m very surprised with my rhythm today because we tried many things during yesterday’s sessions, and we still couldn’t improve in the final sector. During the race, I changed my racing line and the hard work paid off. I knew I was strong in Sector 2, so I focused on staying in front of Andi and attacking Nakarin or Andi in that same area. This result is for all Malaysian fans, the team, and for myself, a reward for all the sacrifices during training away from my family.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (20’51.228s) 2. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (20’51.425s) 3. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (20’51.993s) 4. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (20’52.974s) 5. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (20’58.280s)

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APIWATH RULED HOME RACE

Round 6 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 delivered a thrilling Race 1 in the SS600 class at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand, where Thailand’s Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA TNP stormed to a commanding victory in front of his home crowd. At the start, Indonesia’s Aldi Satya Mahendra of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA launched strongly to lead the field, only to be overtaken by Apiwath and Thailand’s Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM. The race took an early twist as championship contender Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM crashed out of contention. By Lap 2, Anupab led the pack with Apiwath close behind, followed by Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING, and Kitsada Tanachot of HONDA RACING THAILAND. Early incidents saw Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and Kitsada crash, narrowing the competition. Anupab set the fastest lap time 1’40.180s on Lap 3, but the lead continued to change hands. By Lap 5, Apiwath recorded a blistering lap time 1’39.761s to claim the front position, closely pursued by Kasma and Thanat, while Anupab temporarily dropped to fifth. The intensity escalated as Aldi boldly surged to the lead, with Thanat second, Apiwath third, and Anupab fourth. Multiple overtaking attempts reshuffled the front group, but Apiwath remained relentless, timing his decisive attack to perfection. On Lap 11, he powered past the leaders, setting a pace no one could match, with Anupab in hot pursuit until the finish. Crossing the line first, Apiwath clocked a winning time of 20’06.029s, followed by Anupab at 20’06.295s and Aldi in third at 20’06.618s. Apiwath said, “It was a crazy race, so many overtakes from the beginning until the end. Big battles everywhere. For me, it was very exciting to return to SS600 and race again. I felt confident with the bike, and I want to thank my team for all their support.” Updated standings after Race 1, Kasma leads with 154 points, Adenanta is second with 152 points, and Anupab is third with 151 points. With just three points separating these three riders, Race 2 promises to be intense and a race to watch. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. APIWATH WONGTHANANON – YAMAHA TNP (20’06.029s) 2. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (20’06.295s) 3. ALDI SATYA MAHENDRA – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (20’06.618s) 4. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (20’06.744s) 5. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (20’06.977s)

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