2025

SO CLOSE YET SO FAR – ADENANTA HOPES TO SEAL THE DEAL

2025, 2025 Round 6, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

  SuperSports 600cc race category of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship certainly unveiled a twist and the unexpected side of home-boy Syarifuddin Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA in Round 5 who emerged with a flawless strategy to swipe a victorious double-win, instantly defeating chart topper Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and fellow countryman, Kasma Daniel of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING. While his chances of making the top three cut are slim, the odds have definitely been a valuable lesson that nothing is impossible in motorsports. With an 8-point difference between Adenanta and Kasma, it boils down to the implementation of strategies including taking calculated risks, managing expectations and moving swiftly against the motion of pressure in the season finale. Both the riders from the neighbouring countries have stamped an exceptional track record in the race category throughout the season with Adenanta holding superiority after marking seven podium-finish including four wins however the challenges inevitably lie in the unexpected nature of the sports and with that, it is a matter of luck and time when a twist of fate could potentially redirect the course. As for Kasma who has withdrawn from the limelight of the premier race category this season, his strategy in SS600 has certainly created waves while simultaneously adding on to the already mounted pressure among the rivals and right now, evidently on Adenanta who will be facing the brunt of rivalry directly from Kasma. Who will withstand the challenges of the circuit? In Round 1, Adenanta celebrated his first victory for the season in Race 1 but he was defeated by Kasma in Race 2. While their level of competencies match, the minor differences is all that matters. Commenting on the upcoming race, Adenanta said, “The coming race is about to get heated for sure. But of course, I want to do my best and avoid mistakes as much as I can although it’s not an easy task considering the close contention from Kasma and Anupab. Let’s see how it goes. The goal is to make it and I hope that while I am at that, luck will also be on my side. It’s just two races but the weekend will surely be a long one – a lot of hard work not only on my side but also on the crew and mechanic’s side. We will look for the best settings for the machine which will help me optimise my performance and with the strategies in place, we hope to make the best and most of the weekend.” “Chang circuit can be tough depending on our riding styles and techniques. It has many stop-and-go corners and exiting the corners is key during racing. The strategies have to align with this and fine tuning my riding techniques are crucial for this. I am 100% compatible with the machine and I think I have found my comfort spot while riding it so I have no issues in that aspect. This season has been a wonderful one for me – almost perfect with its ups and down and the successes and achievements are definitely attributed to my team who has always supported me through good times and bad times. If I own this championship title, this would be the best motivation for my future career.”

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WHAT WOULD IZAM TAKE HOME?

2025, 2025 Round 6, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

  As Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM strategizes for the championship title in the Asia Production 250cc of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the season finale, Izam Ikmal of VICTOR RACING TEAM bucks up further to defend his 1st runner up position from Thailand’s rising star, Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM. What’s it going to be at Chang International Circuit? Can Izam rise above the challenge to create a celebratory moment for his team after more than 10 years? Izam may not be new to the Asian road racing scene however after a number of setbacks, one could only wonder if he would be able to re-calibrate his standards and performances. This season, he returned not only with a renewed inspiration but with a certain fury to dominate the circuit grounds as reflected during the nip and tuck with his closest contenders. While he has secured his position second in the overall standings after hitting five podium-finish, his battle is still not over especially with home-boy, Krittapat tailing closely with a 17-point difference. But the trip down that road may not be as smooth or easy for Izam who clearly lacked advantage on the home-ground of his closest contender. During the season opener, Izam took one “DNF” and 7 points at Chang circuit whereas Krittapat took home 20 points on that weekend after Race 2. Clearly, Krittapat knows the circuit like the back of his hands and holds better chance at taking Izam down but again, with the Malaysian rider’s enhanced dexterity and manoeuvring moves, Round 6 may just conclude with an interesting twist. Commenting on the race, Izam said, “It would be a tough fight especially with Krittapat, on his home-ground circuit that he is very well familiar with but there is no other solution but to put up a brave front, embrace all possibilities and make sure that my strategies align with my mission to finish ahead of him. Right now, I am pretty confident with the machine compared to Round 1 where we utilised a different version. I am also used to the circuit layout which I have been riding on since 2016. While that advantage may not be the same as the other contenders, safe to say that I know the circuit ground well enough to manage the circumstances.” “The new machine definitely comes with its perks but it is also equally important to have the right set of skills and mindset. I think my riding style and techniques match the performance and power of the machine. Right now, I just have to continue being positive throughout. The possibilities of being a champion is still there but it would be an effort that requires a lot more due to the point differences. But if it happens, it would be the best and most unforgettable moment for me and my team. Worse comes to worst, I would like to fall back on 1st runner up which would make me equally happy. The advantage would surely be my experience but once again, it is not easy defeat a home-boy. I will try my best and hope that this success would open to doors for me to participate in the SS600 next season – my all-time dream!”

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CAN AFIF MAKE THE CUT?

2025, 2025 Round 6, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

  Husni Zainul Fuadzy of ZIEAR LFN HP969 MCR RBT 34 claimed the championship title early and in style for the Underbone 150cc race category of IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship during Round 5 which leaves the 1st runner up a hot, second most sought after spot among the riders. But only one will make it and among the top three contenders, Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM, Ahmad Afif Amran of Pitsbike Superfast JRT Rapido Racing Team and Dimas Juli Atmoko of RACETECH SIXTY RACING, it is unclear who will most likely bag the limelight considering the close contention. Malaysian rider, Afif may not have taken the spotlight in the beginning of the season, more so with a double “DNF” between Round 2 and Round 3 however, the rider made headlines when he banked in 50 points on his home-ground circuit, instantly placing him among those in contention for the 1st runner up position. Currently sitting third in the overall standings with a total of 125 points, he has two situations to deal with – one, to steer closer towards the 1st runner up spot and another, to eliminate possibilities of dropping down a notch. Clearly, it would be a tough bet considering Fahmi’s and Dimas’ level of competencies which are equivalent to that of Afif’s. During Round 1, all three of them fought the raging fury on the final turn before wrapping up the weekend with a podium-finish each. This further accentuates the anticipation of rivalry, brewing silently before the final showdown and for those under the pressure, it would be a test that either breaks or makes them. The UB150 race category is not one to mess with especially with its unpredictable nature so, will this be a matter of luck of brilliance? Commenting on the upcoming race, Afif said, “I will use the experiences that I have gained to manage and overcome any kind of challenges, if I can and also to find the best possible machine setup for the race. Of course, I do understand the possibilities that are endless – the nature of the race itself being unpredictable. For now, I will not deny that my machine is in an optimised condition so there may not be major changes on that. The tricky bit is that, all teams have their strengths, with different capacities and they might just find the right setup for their machines at the very least expected time. So, I have to always be aware of the possible outcomes and keep focused on my goal.” “Personally, I don’t think I have much advantage on Chang circuit because all the riders have their own data and they are all aware of the layout and techniques that is most effective on the circuit ground. All I can do is my version of the best – use my very own insights and professional capacity to avoid errors and minimise risks at all cost. Frankly, the last two races were exceptional because my team has found the right setup for Sepang ground. But for Chang, I am confident that Fahmi and Dimas will put on their best show. They are strong contenders with great experience – brilliant in their strategies and manoeuvrings, so the final showdown is going to be a tough one. I just want to complete the race and collect as much points as I can for the championship. If this season doesn’t work for me, I will do better in the next – and that’s how I plan to end the season.”

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AZROY CLAIMED SENSATIONAL VICTORY

2025, 2025 Round 5, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship produced a dramatic Race 2 in the ASB1000 class at the Sepang International Circuit, as Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA took a sensational victory after a chaotic final lap. Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM got off to a solid start but was immediately challenged by Azroy at the first turn. The early laps saw Hafizh and Azroy trading positions at the front, with Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES, and Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND battling for top positions. By Lap 3, Zaqhwan overtook Hafizh to take the lead, setting the fastest lap at 2’06.362s. Azroy began his climb, overtaking Keito and gradually closing the gap to the front runners with successive fastest laps of 2’06.166s, 2’06.028s, and 2’06.003s between laps 6 and 10. Lap 11 saw Hafizh regain the lead, setting the stage for a dramatic finale. On the final lap, a collision occurred when Zaqhwan attempted to overtake Hafizh, resulting in both riders crashing out. This opened the door for Azroy, who seized the moment and crossed the finish line first at 25’26.719s. Nakarin took second at 25’29.682s, while Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM completed the podium at 25’29.750s. The second-place finish for Nakarin secured him the championship lead, giving him an advantage heading into the final round at his home circuit in Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand. Azroy said, “Alhamdulillah, after a very tough race yesterday, today I managed to get back to number one after a long time. This was possible thanks to my team, although there were also some crashes involving the riders ahead of me, which are part of racing. At the start, I tried to fight for first position, but my rear tyre had no grip, so I dropped back to fourth. From there, I focused on building momentum and regaining confidence lap by lap. After passing Nakarin, I felt I was closing in, but I pushed too hard in the middle of the lap. That’s why, on the last lap, I was a bit too far to challenge further. I also noticed the gap behind was about two seconds, so finishing third was safer than risking a crash. I want to thank everyone, especially the fans who came to support us in Sepang. Now, let’s see how it goes in the final round in Buriram.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

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SYARIFUDDIN’S FIRST DOUBLE WIN IN SEPANG

2025, 2025 Round 5, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship saw an exhilarating Race 2 in the SS600 class at the Sepang International Circuit, as Malaysia’s Muhammad Syarifuddin Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA secured his first double win on home soil.At the start, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING got off to a strong launch, followed by Muhammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and Syarifuddin in third. By Lap 2, Kasma continued to lead, while Syarifuddin overtook Adenanta to move into second, keeping close to the front runner. Adenanta settled in third, followed by Wahyu Nugroho of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA and his teammate Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah. On Lap 3, Syarifuddin clocked the fastest lap of 2’09.936s, keeping Kasma under pressure as the top two riders pulled a one-second gap from the chasing group. Lap 4 saw Syarifuddin close in on Kasma by 0.147s, with the gap to the second group gradually extending to two seconds by Lap 7. Adenanta held third, while Wahyu and Faerozi rounded out the top five. The decisive moment arrived on the final lap when Syarifuddin seized a daring opportunity on Turn 8 to overtake Kasma. He accelerated decisively and pulled away, crossing the finish line first at 21’50.647s, securing his second victory of the weekend. Kasma took second place at 21’51.524s, while Adenanta completed the podium at 21’53.088s. Syarifuddin said, “I would like to say a big thank you to my team for giving me so much confidence on the bike. During the race, I really enjoyed the opening lap, and then I set the fastest lap time of 2’09.697s. At the end, I tried to find a way to overtake Kasma on the final lap. Kasma blocked the line very tightly, but I saw a small space to pass him, and finally I got through and secured a double win. This is the first time I’ve achieved a double win here on home soil. I can’t even describe how happy I am. Thank you so much to all the supporters who came to cheer for all the Malaysian riders. I love you all!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

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ARBI’S FIFTH VICTORY

2025, 2025 Round 5, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship delivered a thrilling Race 2 in the AP250 class at the Sepang International Circuit, as Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM stormed to his fifth victory of the season following a spectacular final-lap attack. At the start, Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM got off the line strongly, closely followed by Mohammad Murobbil Vitoni of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM in second, Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA in third, and Arbi in fourth. By Lap 2, Murobbil took the lead, while Arbi climbed to second, shadowing the front-runner alongside Krittapat, Candra, and Muhammad Fadhil Musyavi of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA. The front group remained tightly packed with constant position changes at every turn.Lap 3 saw Md Izam Ikmal of VICTOR RACING TEAM join the fray, creating a six-rider battle for the lead. Irfan Ardiansyah of MAEZTRO NWN SCK HONDA RACING TEAM set the fastest lap at 2’24.370s, moving up to second and keeping Arbi under pressure. By Lap 6, Arbi clocked the fastest lap of 2’24.020s, reclaiming the top spot and asserting himself at the head of the group. The lead remained fiercely contested over the next laps, with Murobbil, Irfan, and Arbi exchanging positions in a tense battle for victory. The decisive moment came on the final lap when Arbi executed a daring move at the last turn, pulling a crucial gap on the front group. He powered to the finish line to claim victory in 19’26.889s. Murobbil crossed second at 19’27.262s, while Irfan completed the podium at 19’27.299s. Arbi said, “I guess it’s not correct because many riders touched me. But I tried to manage my pace and emotions, focused on breathing on the straights, and stayed relaxed. Anyway, I liked the way I raced today. Alhamdulillah, I got the win. I just tried to push every lap and look for something extra on the last lap. They thought maybe I was already at the limit, but actually I wasn’t. On the last lap I went for a full attack, braked as late as possible, managed the slide, and gave everything. Alhamdulillah, it worked and I took the win. Thank you so much to my team, fans, and sponsors. Yesterday I made a silly mistake, but today I repaid my team with this victory.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

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AFIF STRUCK, HUSNI CHAMPION

2025, 2025 Round 5, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship brought an electrifying conclusion to the UB150 class at the Sepang International Circuit, as Malaysia’s Ahmad Afif Amran of Pitsbike Superfast JRT Rapido Racing Team stormed to victory in Race 2, while Indonesia’s Husni Zainul Fuadzy of ZIEAR LFN HP969 MCR RBT 34 secured the overall UB150 Championship title for the 2025 season. At the race start, Afif launched superbly to take the lead, with Husni close behind. Early drama struck when Ahmad Fazrul Sham of CARDINALS Factory YAMAHA ZYNERGYS Racing Team ARRC collided with Shahrol Syazras Shahrol Yuzy of ESTREMO YUZY ASIA TEAM, forcing Fazrul out of contention. By Lap 2, Husni and his teammate Gupita Kresna Wardhana took control at the front, with Afif and his teammate Md Akid Aziz from Pitsbike Superfast JRT Rapido Racing Team in close pursuit. The pack remained tight, with no rider able to break away as positions shuffled at every corner. On Lap 4, Peerapong Luiboonpeng of ONE FOR ALL surged into the lead, though the relentless pressure from the front group ensured the race remained wide open. The battle intensified further on Lap 5, with constant changes at the sharp end of the field.The decisive moment came on the final lap. As the group powered into the last corner, Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM looked poised for victory, sprinting ahead. However, Afif found an opening, unleashing a blistering drive to the line and snatching victory by just 0.006s with a winning time of 15’45.824s. Fahmi had to settle for second at 15’45.830s, while M. Syirat Sauki of 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team completed the podium at 15’45.977s. It was a double delight for Afif, who sealed both Race 1 and Race 2 wins in Sepang. However, the bigger celebration belonged to Husni, who was officially crowned the 2025 UB150 Champion after collecting 202 points, 62 points clear of runner-up Fahmi Basam, an unassailable margin with one round remaining. Husni said, “Alhamdulillah, all praise to God. I am grateful to my family who have prayed for me. Through the prayers of my family and friends in Indonesia, I was able to become the ARRC champion this season. To my team and my boss, thank you very much for giving me this valuable opportunity. In today’s race, I made a small mistake on the last lap, but Alhamdulillah, the most important thing is that I managed to secure the championship title in Race 2.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

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HIROKI’S MASTERCLASS AT SEPANG

2025, 2025 Round 5, Latest News, TVS Asia One Make /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship delivered a breathtaking Race 2 of the TVS ASIA One Make Championship at the Sepang International Circuit, as Japan’s Hiroki Ono stormed to yet another victory following an intense four-rider battle. At the race start, India’s Sarthak Chavan launched well but was immediately shadowed by Spain’s Luis Miguel, Japan’s Hiroki Ono, and Malaysia’s Md Ramdan Rosli. By Lap 3, the four riders locked horns in a thrilling contest for the lead, pulling a five-second gap from the second group, led by Malaysia’s Md Haziq Md Fairues in fifth place. On Lap 4, Hiroki muscled his way to the front, though Ramdan pushed aggressively in a bid to overtake, with Luis and Sarthak also shuffling positions at every turn. The battle only grew more intense as the quartet extended their advantage to seven seconds over the chasing pack. The decisive moment came on the final lap when Hiroki unleashed a blistering pace, holding off relentless pressure from his rivals. The Japanese rider crossed the finish line in 14’23.119s, just 0.060s clear of Luis Miguel in second place at 14’23.179s, while Sarthak Chavan secured third at 14’23.224s. Malaysian hopes rested with Ramdan, who finished fourth at 14’23.762s, followed closely by compatriot Haziq in fifth at 14’31.994s. Hiroki expressed, “After the warm-up today, the rain came, but fortunately the race was dry, which made me really happy. The conditions were different compared to yesterday, where yesterday I was only fighting with Ramdan, but today I was battling with four riders right until the last turn. For me, this was a good advantage because I gained a lot of experience. This weekend I achieved pole position and two victories, which is very important for me. Now, I will stay focused on the final race in Thailand. Thank you very much to all the Japanese fans, Arigatou!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

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HAFIZH CONQUERED HOME SOIL

2025, 2025 Round 5, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 delivered a scorching Race 1 in the ASB1000 class at the Sepang International Circuit, with Malaysian star Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM taking a commanding victory in extreme conditions. Hafizh got off to a strong start, immediately taking the lead ahead of Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA. Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES and Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND completed the top five, setting the stage for a fierce Honda-versus-Ducati battle. By Lap 3, Keito clocked the fastest lap at 2’06.015s, closing in on third, but Zaqhwan defended his position. Hafizh maintained a steady pace at the front, while Lap 5 saw Azroy 0.746s behind. Lap 6 brought drama as Azroy crashed, giving Hafizh a larger advantage, and Keito moved up to second before also crashing out. Azroy rejoined in tenth, while Zaqhwan and Nakarin capitalised to move into second and third. The following laps saw further attrition in the top five, with Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM crashing on Lap 10. Hafizh, displaying exceptional control, managed the front tyre under the blistering heat and crossed the line in 25’26.781s. Zaqhwan secured second at 25’30.043s, while Nakarin claimed the final podium spot at 25’42.950s. Lachlan Epis of SAVITAR RACING ASIA and Maiku Watanuki of Team TATARA Aprilia completed the top five. Hafizh said, “Wow, the last four laps were really tough, especially managing the front tyre, it was losing grip many times. When I saw Keito drop out, I told myself to stay calm, enjoy the moment, and relax. I knew Zaqhwan was 4.5 seconds behind, so I focused on maintaining my pace. I had nothing more to prove in terms of speed as the start already showed that, and it was enough to secure the win. This victory is for the team, my family, our boss, and all the fans who came, including the marshals on the track. Racing in these hot conditions, with 41°C air temperature and 60°C for asphalt, wouldn’t have been possible without their support.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1

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SYARIFUDDIN SEIZED HOME VICTORY

2025, 2025 Round 5, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 delivered an intense Race 1 in the SS600 class at the Sepang International Circuit, with Malaysian Muhammad Syarifuddin Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA claiming a thrilling home victory under sweltering 41°C conditions. At the start, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING surged into the lead, followed closely by Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM, Muhammad Syarifuddin Azman in third, Wahyu Nugroho of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA fourth, and Muhammad Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA fifth. By Lap 2, Kasma maintained the lead while Syarifuddin and Wahyu moved into second and third, with Adenanta and Helmi in pursuit. On Lap 3, Kasma set the fastest lap at 2’10.307s and steadily led the race, pulling nearly a three-second gap from the chasing group alongside Syarifuddin. Lap 4 saw further shuffles as Adenanta overtook Helmi to claim third, but Wahyu crashed out, narrowing the top contenders. The hot conditions tested the riders’ tyre management as Kasma remained in front, closely shadowed by Syarifuddin. Helmi and Adenanta exchanged positions multiple times, showcasing a thrilling Malaysian trio at the front. By Lap 8, Syarifuddin sensed his opportunity as riders began losing grip under the searing heat. He overtook Kasma and gradually pulled away, demonstrating exceptional control and strategy. On the final lap, Syarifuddin maintained composure, crossing the line first in 21’57.501s. Kasma finished second at 21’59.192s, while Thailand’s Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM executed a daring final-turn move to snatch third at 22’04.769s, just ahead of Helmi. Syarifuddin expressed, “We knew that in the hot conditions we had better pace, but at the start I focused on following Kasma because he also has a solid pace here. Towards the end, I noticed Kasma struggling a bit with the rear, so I knew it was my moment to attack. I really enjoyed the race and want to thank everyone who supported me, especially my wife. Her support at home means a lot. If she were here today, it would have made this victory even more special.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1

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