2025

CHAMPION YET?

2025, 2025 Round 4, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Not only did he score a hat-trick – a continuation of his victorious mark from Round 2 but the highly dextrous rider, Husni Zainul of ZIEAR LFN HP969 MCR RBT 34 banked in a 50-pointer flat in Round 3, instantly shooting him out of the boundaries of rivalry and onto the pathway towards stardom in the Underbone 150cc race category. Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship which will be held at Mandalika International Circuit may just be the ground he celebrates the championship glory. Not a stranger but not a full-season rider, Husni made his appearance in 2023 as a wildcard rider in the debut season at his home-ground circuit, Mandalika. He may not have taken a win then but he certainly flaunted his prowess to finish third. In Season 2024, Husni once again marked his entry in the championship, not for a full-season but as a replacement rider. Despite his trial and error as well as limited mileage on the ARRC front, he scored two podium-finish before concluding the season seventh for his team. Fast-forwarding to where it stands to-date, Husni seemed to have taken a huge leap up in terms of input and output through the quiet strength found across the previous two seasons. The Indonesian lad with a big-smile seemed to have unlocked the door to mastery and he is unstoppable. But again, with a handful of competitive countrymen competing on a common ground, will Husni be able to ward of the threats and release the pressure? It’s a tough bet but not an impossible one and if Husni pulls it off, it will be a hat-offs moment that deserves nothing but a standing ovation. Husni said, “I am truly blessed and thankful to have won the races a number of times in this season’s underbone race category but it is not time for me to relax yet because the season has a long way to go before it ends. While the pressure is always there, maintaining my position doesn’t come as a pressuring factor but more so a motivational one. I enjoy riding and that’s the best part of it. If I were to take a double-win in Mandalika, my home-ground, it would mean an early championship title and if that happens, I will be the happiest. I have an excellent team with such great mechanics, Pak Bima and Pak Bonce who use their own data to ensure that the machine is in a perfect condition for race. That’s probably where my strength is. Of course, the fact remains that everyone in this race category has an opportunity to win but it is also luck to a certain extent. Next race in Mandalika, it is my favourite track and also of many other Indonesian riders but my best part is T15 and T16 where I will optimise more as my winning strategy. Overall, I hope to continue enhancing my riding capacities and performance in ARRC.”

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TAPPING INTO FAMILIARITY

2025, 2025 Round 4, Latest News, TVS Asia One Make /

It was not a surprise when Hiroki Ono of Japan bagged a double-victory on home-soil in the recent TVS Asia One Make Championship races and it is definitely not new that he still graces the top spot. However, intriguing in the season’s updates are the competitive stride and the upgraded performances of duo Ramdan Rosli of Malaysia and Sartak Chavan of India who now share the same scores on the board. Which one of them would take lead in Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at Mandalika International Circuit? Last season, Hiroki lost his winning streak to Ramdan on the grounds of Mandalika when the Malaysian pulled a stunner in Race 2 to bag his first win for the season. Sartak on the other hand concluded the round third, twice after the massive tug of war among the trio. This season, while Hiroki maintains his superiority in the racing series with an advantage of 16 points, Ramdan and Sartak on the other hand have some scores to settle especially with the growing rivalry between them at 108 points each. Commenting on the race, Hiroki said, “Round 1 and Round 2 of this season was really but Round 3 on my home-ground was a fantastic race for me. It is definitely not an easy season but that is what that makes the race not just interesting but also a motivational factor for me. As long as my machine is in a good condition and with a perfect setup, I have the potential to win once again this season. So, I am actually not that worried. For Mandalika, I am gearing up as usual. The circuit layout comprises a long-straight so it’s one of the circuits that can easily pull in strong contention from the rivals. I will draw from my strengths however in braking to ensure that I am in a good space and position during the race. The ultimate goal is to make it championship, for two-consecutive years. To achieve that, I truly have to be focused, win and earn as many points as possible.” Ramdan said, “Last season was really wonderful for me and I have those memories, fresh in my mind. I will continue to do my best and try to emulate the strategies that worked best on the circuit ground, perhaps take another win along the way. The rivalry is as good as it gets which means, the challenges are going to be pretty much the same across the rounds. We have those among the front troop which are the ones to be mindful of as they know their strategies well. I usually don’t compare myself with the other riders but instead, compare my performance on a round-to-round basis to see where I can fix. I know that I have a good pace and I have always enjoyed riding on Mandalika ground. I also like the circuit layout as it is easy to tackle. My goal this season is surely to take the crowning victory but at the same time, it is about re-scaling the benchmarks and marking more wins.” Sartak on the other hand said, “This season comes with many experiences put into good use. I have implemented different riding styles and techniques which have been really effective especially when managing different circuit grounds with different kinds of challenges and layouts. Just 16 points to the leader and tied points for 2 or 3 position but I don’t want to put myself under any kind of pressure at the moment. I would like to think and work more in achieving the results rather than putting a fixed mark on a particular target. Mandalika is a great ground and my favourite part is the fast sectors of the track. The result in Thailand has really been the highlight this season for me and a motivational factor to push harder. So, I will go all out in the coming round and hope to score something more than the usual. Of course, the goal this season and every other season is to be a champion but again, it is not as easy as it sounds. So, keeping my fingers crossed!”

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NAZIRUL’S TAMIYA TIME-OUT

2025, 2025 Round 4, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

You’d think that after taming a 150cc race bike at breakneck speeds, Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM would spend his free time doing something calm like fishing or napping. But, no. Instead, he grabs a tiny car, sends it flying around a plastic track, and grins like a kid on his birthday. Welcome to Nazirul’s other race track, where the engines are small, but the fun is full-sized. “If I’ve got free time, I’ll be playing Tamiya,” Nazirul says with a laugh. “It’s my way of switching gears. And apart from that, I also attend Quran classes at the mosque. It’s a balance between fun and personal growth.” This isn’t a new obsession. Nazirul’s been into Tamiya since his school days, but his love for motorcycles took centre stage for years. “I’ve been into Tamiya since I was in school, but back then I was more focused on motorcycles. Now, with a bit more time outside my racing schedule, I get to relive that childhood passion,” he shared. So what’s the draw for a professional rider who already gets to experience speed and competition on the world stage? “Tamiya is still racing, just on a smaller scale,” Nazirul grins. “The excitement’s there, the competition’s there, but it’s different enough to feel fresh. Plus, I’ve learned so many new things about building and tuning them. It’s like engineering in miniature form.” For someone used to the intense, high-pressure atmosphere of championship racing, Tamiya offers a whole different kind of joy. “With Tamiya, it’s pure fun. No pressure, no expectations. Just racing for the joy of it. It’s my stress-buster!”

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HAFIZH’S FIRST VICTORY OF THE SEASON

2025, 2025 Round 3, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM delivered an inspiring ride to claim his first victory of the season, bringing the Malaysian flag to the top step of the ASB1000 podium in Round 3 of the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan. As the lights went out, Hafizh launched well off the line, immediately taking the lead with Keito Abe of SDG HARC―PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES close on his tail and Sho Nishimura of JAPAN POSTHonda Racing in third. Drama struck early when championship leader Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA crashed out following contact with Apiwath Wongthananon of A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM, forcing both riders into an early and frustrating retirement. By lap 3, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA made a smooth move on Sho to slot into fourth and began hunting down Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND for third. Up front, Hafizh maintained his lead as Keito shadowed him relentlessly, waiting for his chance to strike. That moment came on lap 6 when Keito made a decisive move to take over the lead. The final lap delivered a nail-biting duel as Hafizh and Keito traded overtakes in a heart-stopping battle for the win. With a bold move in a section where he knew he was strongest, Hafizh reclaimed the lead and unleashed everything he had, charging past the chequered flag to seal a memorable victory in 24’09.165s. Keito crossed just behind in 24’09.378s, while Sho Nishimura completed the podium in third at 24’12.201s. Hafizh reflected on his comeback, “I had a good start, but yesterday didn’t end well for me. Even this morning, I almost lost all my confidence because I wasn’t pushing, I was just riding with my rhythm but suddenly lost the front at Turn 9, which really made me doubt my bike. I didn’t understand why I lost grip so easily, so it shook my confidence heading into Race 2. Today, I got another good start but I didn’t feel ready to push 100%, maybe just 95%. When Keito overtook me, I decided to just follow him, save my energy, and keep the tyre in good shape. On the last lap, I attacked him in the place where I knew I was really strong, and we got the win. This isn’t a perfect weekend, but it’s still a good one. There are 14 people behind me who made this possible, so this win is for them.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

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ADENANTA UNSHAKEABLE AT MOTEGI

2025, 2025 Round 3, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM delivered a spectacular performance to secure a commanding victory in Race 2 of the SS600 category at Round 3 of the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan.As the lights went out, Adenanta made a lightning start to seize the lead, with Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING slotting into second, Khairul Idham Pawi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA close behind in third, and Wahyu Nugroho of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA in fourth. By lap 3, Adenanta stamped his authority on the race by setting the fastest lap at 1’54.680s, opening up a 0.762s gap to Khairul in second. Wahyu Nugroho, showing strong pace, overtook Kasma and Khairul to move into second and began closing in on the race leader. Meanwhile, McKinley Kyle Paz of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING held steady in fifth, biding his time. While Adenanta controlled the pace at the front, Wahyu relentlessly hunted him down, cutting the gap to just 0.291s and setting up a tense duel in the closing stages. Drama unfolded on lap 8 when Khairul crashed out, promoting McKinley to third as he led the chasing pack. He soon came under heavy pressure from Muhammad Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, who smelled a podium finish and closed in fast. On the final lap, Helmi made his move and overtook McKinley, but his push ended in heartbreak when he crashed out, losing not only a podium place but also valuable points. Up front, Adenanta kept his composure under intense pressure to power across the line first at 23’02.586s. Wahyu crossed just behind to claim a hard-fought second at 23’03.082s, while McKinley capitalised to complete the podium in third at 23’06.430s. Adenanta said, “Today’s race was really tough, but it played out exactly how I planned. Push hard from the start, keep up the pace, and build good momentum. It wasn’t easy, because in the last four or five laps my tyre wear was almost gone, so I just focused on maintaining my rhythm. In the end, I’m really happy to stand on the top step of the podium.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

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KRITTAPAT’S GUTSY RIDE SEALED VICTORY

2025, 2025 Round 3, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

In a dramatic showdown during Race 2 of Round 3 at the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM delivered an outstanding performance to claim victory in the AP250 category at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan. As the race flagged off, Mohammad Murobbil Vitoni of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM made an explosive start to take the early lead, with Ryota Ogiwara of SANWA RACING TEAM and Riichi Takahira of TY Antares Racing Team close behind.By lap 2, Riichi had seized the front, with Krittapat piling on the pressure as he moved up to challenge for the lead. Ryuji Yokoe of TEAM TECH2 & YSS also joined the lead pack, setting up a thrilling multi-rider battle. The fight for the top spot remained intense throughout, with the lead changing hands multiple times as the riders traded positions. On lap 4, Krittapat surged to the front, but Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM fired back with the fastest lap of the race at 2’09.349s, moving up to second and immediately launching an attack. The duel between Krittapat and Arbi electrified the final laps as they swapped places in a relentless fight for victory. In the end, it was Krittapat who dug deepest, holding off every challenge to charge across the line first in 21’36.597s. Murobbil secured a well-earned second place at 21’36.722s, while Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA completed the podium in third at 21’36.850s. Krittapat Keankum shared, “This race was really tough. So many riders were trying to overtake me, but I just kept telling myself not to give up. I focused on pushing forward no matter what and in the end, I won Race 2 today. I’m so thankful to my team and everyone who has supported me.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

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HUSNI, DOUBLE WIN DESPITE DEBUT

2025 Round 3, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Husni Zainul Fuadzy of ZIEAR LFN HP969 MCR RBT 34 delivered yet another masterclass in race craft to secure a thrilling victory in Race 2 of Round 3 at the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan. The win marks his fourth consecutive victory of the season in the fiercely contested UB150 category, solidifying his status as one of the standout riders of the year. At the start, Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM stormed into the lead, but the front-runner shuffled immediately as the field dove into the first turn — before disaster struck and Fahmi crashed out of contention. By lap 2, Dimas Juli Atmoko of RACETECH SIXTY Racing took over at the front, with Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM hot on his heels. Drama unfolded behind them as Ahmad Darwisy Ahmad Sahir of ESTREMO YUZY ASIA TEAM and Wahyu Aji Trilaksana of RACETECH SIXTY Racing both crashed out. Moments later, Md Akid Aziz of Pitsbike Superfast JRT Racing Team also fell on the final straight just before lap 3, handing an opportunity to Adytya Fauzi of JPNW SND FACTORY RACING, who capitalised by clocking the fastest lap time of 2’17.970s to launch himself into contention. The same lap saw more casualties — Md Badly Ayatullah Massorong of MAEZTRO NWN SCK HONDA RACING TEAM and Peerapong Luiboonpeng of ONE FOR ALL both crashed, intensifying the already chaotic contest. The lead changed again on lap 4 when Nazirul hit the front, only to suffer a costly crash of his own. Adytya, with no room to avoid him, went down too, shaking up the order yet again. On the final lap, the fight for the podium became an all-out sprint. With the finish line in sight, Husni Zainul Fuadzy surged from third, unleashed a perfectly timed attack and edged ahead to seize the win in a nail-biting dash to the line, stopping the clock at 18’44.200s. Riky Ibrahim of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM crossed just behind in 18’44.246s to secure second, while Ahmad Afif Amran of Pitsbike Superfast JRT Racing Team clinched third at 18’44.252s in a dramatic photo finish. Husni Zainul Fuadzy shared, “In the race, I just focused on staying calm and consistent, that was the key. I stuck to my usual strategy and waited for the right moment. Only on the last lap did I push to the maximum, and thankfully, I was blessed with another win today in Race 2. I’m very grateful for this result.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

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HIROKI UNBEATABLE AT HOME SOIL

2025, 2025 Round 3, Latest News, TVS Asia One Make /

Round 3 at the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, delivered edge-of-the-seat drama in the TVS Asia One Make Championship, as Japan’s Hiroki Ono celebrated his double win after another sensational victory in Race 2. At the start, Malaysia’s Md Ramdan Rosli launched strongly alongside India’s Sarthak Chavan, with local hero Hiroki Ono settling into third. Within seconds, however, Hiroki wasted no time seizing the lead in front of his home crowd. By lap 2, the order saw Hiroki controlling the race ahead of Ramdan, Sarthak, Luis Miguel in fourth, and Japan’s Shingo Iidaka in fifth. Hiroki turned up the pace on lap 3, setting the fastest lap of the race at 2’05.331s, steadily stretching his advantage as Ramdan gave chase.On lap 4, Luis Miguel closed the gap from fourth and made a decisive move past Sarthak to slot into third. By lap 5, Hiroki had sprinted 4.168s clear of Ramdan, who now faced immense pressure from the Spaniard behind. Luis launched an attack and briefly grabbed second place, but Ramdan refused to surrender and reclaimed his position. Sarthak, meanwhile, regrouped and reeled both riders back in, setting up a dramatic final showdown.While the battle for second raged on, Hiroki stayed in a league of his own, crossing the line unchallenged in 16’52.533s to complete a dominant double win on home soil. Behind him, Sarthak’s last-lap charge paid off as he snatched second place in 16’59.356s, just edging Ramdan, who secured a hard-fought third at 16’59.391s. Hiroki Ono stated, “Today was a little difficult for me because the temperature was much higher than yesterday. When it’s hot, managing the tyres is very tricky, but I kept my concentration right until the end. I’m really happy to get the double win this weekend, it feels amazing at my home track. I want to thank everyone who supported me. Arigatou gozaimasu!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

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SOICHIRO RECONNECTS WITH THE CRAFT

2025, 2025 Round 4, Latest News /

The summer breeze swept through the pine-lined slopes of Mobility Resort Motegi, carrying with it a familiar and exciting presence. Soichiro Minamimoto is back on the ARRC grid as a wildcard, ready to add on to the heated rivalries where it all began. It’s the kind of spirit we’ve all been waiting for, and the stage is set for an exciting return! This time, the stakes are different. Once a front-runner in the ARRC’s premier ASB1000 class, Soichiro returns not to chase a title but to reconnect with his craft. HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING may have withdrawn from the ASB1000 grid this season, but for one round he is back to showcase his wit and grit on home soil. “I’m very sad that the team withdrew from ASB1000 this year,” Minamimoto said. “So I’ve shifted my focus to the MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship Series ST600. Next month, the All Japan will be held at Motegi, so I decided to participate in the SS600.” His wildcard entry serves as a recalibration and a chance to reevaluate his prowess. It is a test not just of machinery but of self. And there is no better place for that than Mobility Resort Motegi, a circuit carved into his racing identity where every corner holds memory and meaning. “I’m happy to be back in ARRC again. The purpose of this race is to review my 600cc riding in preparation for next month’s All Japan.” In the SS600 class, Minamimoto finds familiar rivals: Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin, Anupab Sarmoon, and Muhammad Helmi Azman, riders he once fought alongside in a title chase. But this time, the approach is different: no pressure, just a pure fun return to racing. “I have some good rivals. I’m looking forward to racing with them purely for the fun of it,” he said, before adding with conviction, “Of course, I’ll be aiming to win.”

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KEITO’S FLAWLESS VICTORY

2025, 2025 Round 3, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

Race 1 of Round 3 in the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship’s ASB1000 category saw local hero Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES storm to a commanding victory at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, delighting his home fans with a flawless performance on familiar ground. In qualifying, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of the JDT RACING TEAM claimed pole position with a blistering fastest lap time of 1’49.661s. Keito lined up alongside him in second with 1’49.871s, while Japan’s wild card rider Sho Nishimura of JAPAN POSTHonda Racing completed the front row with an impressive 1’49.907s. At the start, Hafizh Syahrin made a strong getaway for JDT RACING TEAM but was immediately overtaken by Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND. Soon, in the second turn, Hafizh’s front tyre clipped Nakarin’s rear tyre, forcing Hafizh wide and off the track. On lap 4, Keito made his move, overtaking Nakarin to seize the lead and began pushing hard to open up a gap at the front. Meanwhile, Hafizh, determined to recover, rejoined the race and fought back heroically to climb to eleventh position. Unfortunately, his charge ended heartbreakingly on lap 8 when he crashed while pushing to the limit, visibly frustrated trackside. The battle for the lead continued between Keito and Nakarin until lap 11, Nakarin crashed out, allowing Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA to move up to second and attempt to close the gap to Keito. Displaying exceptional composure and confidence on home asphalt, Keito Abe maintained a safe margin, keeping Azroy at bay and charging past the chequered flag to win the race at 24’06.975s. The IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA duo, Azroy and Zaqhwan, completed the podium at 24’07.671s and 24’10.535s respectively. Keito stated, “It was a really tough race because the tyres were quite slippery, so I had to stay calm and manage both my mindset and tyre condition all the way through. I’m so happy to win here on home soil, it feels amazing! I want to thank my team so much for their great work and for giving me a fantastic bike today.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1

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