Asia Production 250

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

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 delivered scorching action in Race 1 of the AP250 class at the Sepang International Circuit, with Indonesia’s Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA emerging victorious in a dramatic battle under sweltering 40°C track temperatures. As the lights went out, Candra got off to a strong launch and seized the early lead, only to be overtaken by Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM, with compatriot Mohammad Murobbil Vitoni of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM close behind. By the end of the opening lap, Candra had slipped to third. On Lap 2, Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM surged to the front, igniting hopes of a charge, but technical gremlins struck, forcing him to slow as the pack swept past. Murobbil inherited the lead before disaster struck on Lap 3 when he and Krittapat collided with Rintaro Takemoto of TY Antares Racing Team and Davino Britani of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and crashed, dramatically reshuffling the running order. The incident elevated six riders into podium contention: Muhammad Fadhil Musyavi of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA, Candra, Galang Hendra Pratama of YAMAHA BAF YAMALUBE AKAI JAYA MBKW2 RACING, Md Izam Ikmal of VICTOR RACING TEAM, Mohamad Danial Syahmi Ahmad Shahril of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM, and Abdullah Qayyum A Razak of CARDINALS Factory YAMAHA ZYNERGYS Racing Team ARRC. By Lap 6, Fadhil and Candra were locked in an intense duel for the lead, swapping positions at every opportunity, while Danial held firm in third and Izam began to close in from fourth. Japan’s Aiki Iyoshi of MOTUL KAWASAKI SNIPER MANUAL TECH joined the mix in fifth, setting the stage for a thrilling finale. The last lap saw all-out aggression as Izam launched his challenge for victory, but Candra held his nerve and powered across the line first with a time of 19’35.572s. Izam followed just 0.158s behind at 19’35.730s, while Fadhil secured third at 19’35.734s, a mere 0.004s further back. Candra shared, “I’m at a loss for words. I want to sincerely thank my team, my mechanic, and the team owner, as well as my family who has supported me all the way. This victory is dedicated to everyone who has stood behind me and believed in me.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 roared into action today at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia. With temperatures climbing to 39.8°C, AP250 riders faced the challenging heat as they fought for fastest lap times in three practice sessions. It was Indonesia’s Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM who emerged as the fastest rider overall, topping the combined practice results with a 2’23.372s lap. Arbi showed impressive consistency throughout the day, balancing speed and control to manage the demanding conditions. Close behind, Mohammad Murobbil Vitoni of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM secured second overall with 2’23.481s, while Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM claimed third at 2’23.714s. Japan’s Aiki Iyoshi of MOTUL KAWASAKI SNIPER MANUAL TECH finished fourth with 2’23.923s, and Malaysia’s Mohamad Danial Syahmi Ahmad Shahril of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM rounded out the top five at 2’24.451s. Arbi shared, “It was a good day overall. We had strong pace in Practice 1 with the cooler conditions, and I felt much more comfortable. Especially on the Honda bike, I could carry more speed and maximize its performance. Unfortunately, around midday, the temperature was very high, so we couldn’t maintain the pace like usual. But we tried to find a better setup, and Practice 2 went well. I tried to manage myself, control the pace, and break away from the group, but they wouldn’t let me go alone. Nevertheless, it was a good day for me. We will do our best for tomorrow’s Qualifying and Race 1.” TOP 5 FASTEST – PRACTICE (COMBINED)

Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM astounded the paddock at Mandalika circuit when he scored a double-win and although he was later penalised to third spot in Race 2, his charm has not gone unnoticed as he continued to top the chart steadily and confidently throughout the season. With a 37-point difference to Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILANG RACING TEAM, can the Indonesian boy draw an unbeatable gap at Sepang International Circuit in Round 5? First, a hat-trick in the beginning of the season, then a steep decline on the point front due to regulation requirements and after that, an upward trend in performance on home-soil – Fadillah is definitely not on a pathway of recovery but of stardom. With four more races to go, it’s all about managing the strategies and keeping it calm but will Fadillah aim higher? Would he settle for enough points or would he go for the sought after 25-pointer? The crossroads simply mean either succumbing to his contenders or potentially ending in complete loss of points, depending on how the cards are laid and played. At Sepang during round 2, Fadillah concluded Race 1 with a striking performance when he scored the top spot on the chart. But of course, there are the likes of Krittapat, Izam Ikmal of VICTOR RACING TEAM, Irfan Ardiansyah of MAEZTRO NWN SCK HONDA RACING TEAM and Galang Hendra Pratama of YAMAHA BAF YAMALUBE AKAI JAYA MBKW2 RACING who have all earned a spot on the Malaysian podium. With the strong contention waiting to strike at multiple angles, Fadillah has to make calculated moves and avoid risks where possible. Fadillah commented, “Despite the point difference between myself and the next in line, I will go all out at Sepang. There is nothing more colourful that hitting the bullseye with a double-win. Also, it will give me a better standing at Chang circuit. There is not much risk on my hand considered the margins. But most importantly, for us, it is about creating the rivalry impact that stimulates the experience of riding. That’s the way we move forward – to be stronger. Sepang circuit itself gives us an added advantage especially on the fast corners. But again, we also need to keep our focus on slow speed corners – which is a little bit of a disadvantage for us.” “Throughout the season, I have definitely gained a lot of experience – from the riders, the different riding techniques and managing the machine on different circuit grounds. The competition is also becoming stiff on a round-to-round basis which makes it even more interesting. We have to create an impact as a team and the rising contention fuels us to do better. Despite the regulations and RPM cut, we are positive in our approaches. The FP sessions usually give us time to re-look into the setup of the machine and usually it ends with a good outcome. The goal for any team is to make the most out of the experience but for us, its nothing less than a championship title. That’s where we are headed!”

In the world of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, every rider has a story. For Johann Reeves Emmanuel of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING INDIA, that story is uniquely intertwined with family legacy, personal ambition, and the relentless pursuit of growth. Now in his debut season racing in the AP250 category, Johann is not just chasing lap times. He is carving a path that honors his father’s remarkable journey while defining his own. Johann’s father, Emmanuel Jebaraj was a rider too, and not just any rider, he competed in the very same championship, the Asia Road Racing Championship. “When I line up on the grid, I see it as the chance to write my own story, while still carrying a part of my father’s legacy forward,” Johann reflects. “His journey was very different. He raced without sponsorship, funded everything himself, and only entered the sport later in life. I’ve been fortunate to start earlier and with opportunities he never had, such as competing on factory machinery. In many ways, our paths are worlds apart, but I feel that every time I race, I’m honoring what he began while building something that is entirely my own.” From an early age, Johann absorbed lessons that would shape his approach to racing. “The biggest lesson my father passed on to me was something he told me very early on. “Where you look is where you’ll go.” It may sound simple, but in racing, which is as much a mental game as it is physical, that mindset is everything. It’s a principle I carry into every race, helping me break through mental barriers, and always keep my eyes on the path forward.” Listening to his father recount the racing world of decades past, Johann is struck by both the daring and the danger of that era. “What surprises me most about racing in my father’s era is the level of risk they took, with such limited safety, from the gear they wore to the circuit facilities they competed on. Looking back, it seems unimaginable compared to the standards we have today. Yet, I also know that if I had raced in that generation, I would have done the same, because that was the spirit of the sport. Hearing about what he achieved in those conditions makes me respect his dedication even more, and it’s truly remarkable.” This deep respect for his father is balanced by a drive to make his own mark. “Absolutely,” Johann says, when asked whether his father’s experience makes his support different from most. “He understands the risks of racing better than anyone, yet he also knows that pushing to the limit is what it takes to be the best. Because of his own journey being a seven-time Indian national champion and a Malaysian series champion, he has a clear perspective on both the dangers and the demands of this sport. That balance allows him to support me in a way that’s both realistic and empowering.” Even on challenging weekends, when results don’t go his way, Johann finds strength in this guidance. “On tough weekends, when results don’t go my way, my father is always there to lift my spirits. As a former rider, he understands exactly how it feels to give everything and still face setbacks. He shares in the disappointment, but he knows how hard I’m working and reminds me that persistence is the path to success. His experience and encouragement help me to keep pushing, and view every challenge as an opportunity to grow.” Johann’s approach to racing is a dynamic mix of inherited wisdom and personal ambition. While he aligns closely with his father on riding style and setup, strategy is where he pushes the boundaries. “I tend to be aggressive and willing to take risks as much as required to win even a single race, inspired by Ayrton Senna’s words: ‘If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver.’ My father is also aggressive, but he balances it with a strategic and calculated approach, something I’m still learning. Those differences help me grow as a rider.” Looking back, Johann acknowledges the pivotal role his father played in shaping his path. “Absolutely! My father is the reason I’m in this sport. For every child, a parent is often their first hero, and seeing him bring trophies home when I was young inspired me to follow in his footsteps. Coming from India, without his example and influence, my life would likely have taken a very different path. His journey opened the door for me to pursue this dream.” Even with the generational gap, Johann’s respect for his father’s skill remains evident. “I’m fairly certain he would joke that we’re all slow! About a year ago, we had a track day, and although he had been retired from racing for over 12 years, he took my bike out for just one session, and finished only two seconds off my pace. It was incredible and completely surprising, showing that his skill and instincts never really fade.” Ultimately, Johann wants to be remembered not just for his results, but for the heart and determination he brings to the track. “I want to be remembered not just for the results I achieve, but for the way I race with determination, and a willingness to push limits. I hope people see me as a rider who gives everything on the track, yet remains grounded.”

Muhammad Murobbil Vitoni of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM clinched victory in Race 2 of the AP250 class at Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at Mandalika International Circuit, following a post-race penalty for Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM. At the race start, Murobbil stormed into the lead, but by Lap 2, Arbi made his move to snatch P1. Behind them, Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA impressed in P3, keeping the front-runners under pressure. The intensity rose on Lap 3 when Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM clocked the fastest lap of the race at 1’47.840s, surging to the front. Soon after, Irfan Ardiansyah of MAEZTRO NWN SCK HONDA RACING TEAM forced his way into contention, shadowing Arbi closely. In the chaos, Md Izam Ikmal of VICTOR RACING TEAM seized an opening to rise to P2, though Arbi quickly reclaimed control to dictate the pace once more. The final lap saw bold moves from several challengers, Riichi Takahira of TY Antares Racing Team muscled into P2, while Murobbil and Mohamad Danial Syahmi Ahmad Shahril of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM battled through to P4 and P5 respectively. Arbi initially crossed the line first with a total time of 17’59.068s, but was later penalised with a two-position drop due to exceeding track limit. As a result, Murobbil was promoted to winner with a final time of 17’59.417s, followed by Izam in second place at 17’59.604s, while Arbi was classified in third. Murobbil said, “It was a tough race with a lot of competition, but I stayed focused and gave my best. Thank you to my team for preparing a great bike and to all the supporters who keep motivating me. This win gives me more confidence for the upcoming rounds.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

The Mandalika International Circuit roared with excitement as Indonesia’s very own Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM stormed to victory in Race 1 of Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship AP250 category, crossing the line with a winning time of 17’53.902s. From the very start, the home hero faced immense pressure as Mohammad Murobbil Vitoni surged ahead with a strong launch off the line. But it was Arbi who quickly stamped his authority, overtaking to seize control of the race. Behind him, Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA, Galang Hendra Pratama of YAMAHA BAF YAMALUBE AKAI JAYA MBKW2 RACING, and Md Izam Izkmal of VICTOR RACING TEAM battled fiercely for podium contention. The intensity only grew as the laps unfolded. On Lap 4, Japan’s Riichi Takahira clocked the top speed of the race at 188.1km/h, snatching second place from Murobbil, while Malaysia’s Md Izamli and Galang maintained their charge. The battle for podium positions looked set to be decided among five riders, but drama struck on Lap 6 when Murobbil crashed out, losing his shot at glory. The closing stages witnessed a five-rider duel for the win. The final lap turned chaotic when both Riichi and Candra crashed in a high-stakes battle for victory, leaving Arbi to power home and ignite the Mandalika crowd with a sensational triumph. Mohamad Danial Syahmi Ahmad Syahril of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM rode a masterful race to claim second place just 0.784s adrift, finishing at 17’54.686s, while Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM secured the final podium spot with 17’54.761s. Arbi said, “I tried to push very hard from the beginning because I knew I had a chance to pull a gap. But the wind was very strong this afternoon, so I had to manage my pace in the middle of the race. On the last lap, my pit crew told me to just go all out, so I gave everything I had. My tyres were destroyed, but this bike has super good handling and I could go very fast in the middle of the corners. Alhamdulillah, thank you so much to my team and the mechanics. It was an incredible race!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1

It was a day of fierce pace and shifting momentum in the AP250 class as riders tackled the opening day of Round 4 in the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia. After three practice sessions, it was Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM who emerged on top with a blistering 1’47.227s. The Indonesian youngster stamped his authority in Practice 3, recovering from a cautious start earlier in the day to light up the timing sheets and secure the combined practice honours in front of his home crowd. Close behind, Mohammad Murobbil Vitoni of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM kept himself firmly in contention, recording a strong 1’47.336s, just 0.109s adrift. Japan’s Aiki Iyoshi of MOTUL KAWASAKI SNIPER MANUAL TECH proved consistent across all sessions, finishing third overall with 1’47.489s. Malaysia’s Mohamad Danial Syahmi Ahmad Shahril of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM showed solid pace to slot into fourth on the combined standings at 1’47.501s, while Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM rounded up the Top 5 at 1’47.554s with his late charge. Arbi said, “From the beginning I already felt comfortable with the bike and the setup. It was my first time riding this bike on this track, but I have a lot of experience here in the 600cc from the national championship, so I just tried to manage my pace at the start of practice. Unfortunately, in Practice 2 I had some technical issues with the engine, but the team fixed it and helped me a lot so I could push again. In Practice 3 I tried to find my pace again, avoid mistakes, and keep a consistent rhythm for the race. I have a good pace, I feel comfortable, and let’s see what we can do tomorrow in qualifying and Race 1.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE (AP250)

The heat of rivalry between Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM and Murobbil Vitoni of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM at Motegi circuit came to a momentary end when the Thai lad swiped the most wanted 25-points in the final race of the Asia Production 250cc. The battle is about to resume soon for both the rivals in Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship scheduled to be held at Mandalika International Circuit with an expected advantage for the Indonesian lad. Will national pride spur the Indonesian forward or will the Thai racer snatch victory instead? It’s a hard guess especially with Krittapat’s wins, twice this season that indicates a polished performance and mastery in his game, quick to adapt and strike. Murobbil may not have bagged a win just yet but for a debutante in the race category, his performance has been more than ordinary especially with a double-podium in the recent round. Just a 6-point difference, Murobbil’s chances of closing the gap ahead is evident and easily achievable – only if he uses the home-ground circuit to his advantage. While Krittapat may not have a record from last season, Murobbil who competed in the Underbone 150cc race category scored third place in Race 2 after a “DNF” in Race 1 – a score that surmises his ability to strategize effectively and rise above the challenge. Having said that, Kritappat may have to burn the midnight oil in studying the potential calamities and throw in additional efforts to brush his prowess up considering his rival’s upper-hand, but its not impossible for him to maintain his current standings, not especially with the mark he has made this season in the race category. Commenting on the race, Krittapat said, “For me, at this point of time, it is more of avoiding mistakes and taking less pressure. So, while I would like to improve further, I am also very mindful on how it would also affect me mentally and physically. As for my machine, I think my machine is pretty much similar to the rest of the teams but more importantly, it is about timing and the right opportunity. So, the goal for me is to maintain at the top and it is not going to be easy for sure. We have to work very hard to survive where we are and do better. Racing in Mandalika is going to be tough as I do not have any prior experience on that circuit however, with the experience that I have gained over the course of three rounds, I can understand what is expected and needed. I have also been observing the patterns and character of riders which I believe is important to also know my own capacities against them. So, I am looking forward to the coming race, knowing that it will be an added advantage to some of the contenders from Indonesia. My goal is definitely to be a champion just like everyone else. We will continue collecting as many points and see where that takes us.” Murrobil on the other said, “For me, the rivalry is very strong in the AP250 race category and the only way to outperform them is by doing my best. I will continue to try especially by achieving a consistent pace. There has been progressive transformation and improvements from round-to-round which I am deeply grateful for. The goal for the team and myself is to be the champion however I know it is not going to be an easy task. I will always learn from mistakes of the previous round. Mandalika is one of my favourite circuit grounds which means that I am also confident with my abilities there. What I like about the circuit are the turns which makes the races interesting and of course, the long-straight where we can maximise speed. The settings of my machine are currently quite good but the rivalry is getting trickier each round. That is where I have to be on top of my game. I have adapted pretty quickly from the UB150 to AP250, thankfully. The year is my first year and I will stay focused on finding the right machine setup that suits my character and riding techniques. More importantly, getting the bike data that is pertinent for bike setups.”

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