2025 Round1

When Thai rider Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND hit the spot in the Asia Superbike 1000cc race category with a double win at Chang International Circuit, was it true dexterity or merely the home-ground factor? Round 2 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will be held at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this week and home to closest contender Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA. Once teammates, now rivals at best – it was evident when Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA went on a chase to topple the Thai lad who did not budge even an inch from the racing lines. It did seem like a play of finest skills with a pinch of added advantage on Nakarin’s part but definitely the road to victory is long and winding. With round 2 being held on the Malaysian playground, the tables are now turned and all eyes are on homeboy, Zaqhwan. Will he be able to live up to the pressure of the home-ground factor? Nakarin has quickly built a reputation since his debut as the rising star in the ASB1000 race category last season but seasoned pro, Zaqhwan on the other hand who has been riding for six years aboard the high-powered machine, bagged the jackpot back in 2022 making the competition and the coming round highly unpredictable. In Race 1, Nakarin concluded the race with a 0.2s gap despite Zaqhwan’s blistering top speed at 303.4km/hr whereas in Race 2, Nakarin marked a gap of 1.2s. Both the riders are currently raking it at the top of the chart but again, it’s still an early bet especially with five more rounds to go. Commenting on the race, Nakarin said, “All I can say is that I have prepared myself very well for the upcoming race by polishing my skills and enhancing my body capacities to be in control of the machine. The team and I have also worked hand-in-hand to ensure that everything is in order for the coming race. The new CBR1000 engine has an advantage will surely be better for Sepang circuit than the previous version. With that, I believe that I can put on a competitive fight with Zaqhwan. He is quite strong, especially on his home-ground. I have always liked Sepang circuit because of its long straights. I have fine-tuned my techniques on the racing lines and braking points therefore, I think its going to be an exciting experience. Yes, it is challenging and requires specific skills but with ASB1000 championship title in mind, I will go all out. My goal is be on the podium in all races. That is the ultimate expectation.” Zaqhwan on the other hand said, “It was a storm at Chang circuit with Nakarin who was expected to perform in an outstanding manner on his home-ground. Home circuit is always an added advantage and my turn is coming up soon. I want to give my best but at the same time enjoy the ride with the win in my mind. That’s the aim ultimately. I think the speed of the machine is more or less similar to Nakarin’s since we are using the same machine. The team is definitely different this season so we both might have added advantage and some limitations in certain areas. I believe that the coming race will stir up some intense moments for both of us, that’s for sure. It is also home to many Malaysian riders including Hafizh and Azlan who have both clocked in a great deal of time on the ground. I will remain positive, calm and focus on my passion for race. When I won the title two years ago, I lost the momentum and the feeling. This season is all about making a comeback, to prove my worth and dominance in the race. Hopefully, I can achieve that.”

HONDA RACING THAILAND’s Nakarin Atiratphuvapat proudly waved the Thai flag on the ASB1000 podium as he celebrated his double win in the opening round of the 2025 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in front of his home crowd. After winning Race 1 on Saturday, Nakarin concluded a successful outing at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand, with another commanding victory, clocking a time of 20’54:547s. Nakarin’s dominance in the ASB1000 race began as early as lap 1 when he edged past Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi and Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA. The Thai rider wasted no time pulling away and establishing a lead ahead of the chasing duo. As Nakarin crossed the finish line in first, Zaqhwan’s dream of securing his first victory was dashed when he ended the race in second with a time of 20’55:752s. Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES rounded out the podium in third with a time of 20’57:462s. Nakarin’s solid performance at the Chang International Circuit has placed him at the top of the championship standings with a perfect 50 points. Nakarin shared, “Today, the track temperature was hot. My race pace wasn’t so fast, but I tried to concentrate on my riding, focusing only on what was in front of me. I attacked from the beginning. When I saw I had a one-second gap from the group, I controlled the pace. Towards the end, I felt more tired, and Zaqhwan was closing in, but I managed to control the situation. It was a perfect race and a perfect weekend. I’m also happy to finish the home race with such a great result for Round 1.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

Race 1 of the opening round of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in the ASB1000 category at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, saw Thai rider Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND clinch a commanding victory, securing the top spot on the podium. During the qualifying session, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA earned pole position with the fastest lap time of 1’35:056s. Nakarin followed closely in second with a time of 1’35:276s, while Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM secured the third grid position with a time of 1’35:378s. As the race began, Zaqhwan took the early lead, with Nakarin moving into second position ahead of Hafizh. Nakarin overtook Zaqhwan at Turn 3 on the opening lap. The top three riders quickly created a 1:550s gap from the chasing group. Running in P4, Apiwath Wongthananon of A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM also began to pull away from the group in pursuit of the front-runners. Throughout the race, Nakarin and Zaqhwan exchanged the lead multiple times, displaying a fierce battle between the former teammates. Their pace pushed them 2:883s ahead of the rest of the field, and the gap continued to grow lap by lap. By lap 6, Apiwath overtook Hafizh to move into P3, aiming to secure a podium finish on home soil. On the final lap, Nakarin was in the lead, with Zaqhwan reaching a top speed of 303.4 km/h in an attempt to close the gap. Despite the pressure, Nakarin denied the overtaking attempt and proudly crossed the finish line to take the victory with a time of 16’06:372s. Zaqhwan finished in second place with a time of 16’06:613s, while Hafizh secured third place after overtaking Apiwath on the final turn, finishing with a time of 16’11:288s. Nakarin said, “This race was really difficult, especially learning the track conditions, since it was raining earlier in the SS600 race. I just tried to go step by step. I saw Zaqhwan was really fast, so I stayed behind him for a while. It might have looked like I was giving him space, but in the last three laps, I started pushing again. I noticed Zaqhwan getting a bit slower, and I knew I had to win this race, because I’ve been waiting for this moment since last season in this class. I’m very happy. I dedicate this victory to all the Thai fans and my team for their hard work and support.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1