Asia Production 250

PRESS RELEASE: ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM AIM TO CONTINUE GOOD DYNAMIC IN THAILAND

2017, 2017 Round2, Asia Production 250, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Gerry Salim arrives at the Chang International Circuit as the leader of the Asia Production 250cc class, after making history in Johor. In the SuperSports 600cc category, Irfan Ardiansyah will look to continue his progress after achieving his first podium in the inaugural race. After a fantastic start to the campaign in Malaysia, the Astra Honda Racing Team (AHRT) travels to Thailand this weekend for the second round of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). In an historic inaugural event of the season, Gerry claimed the first victories for an Indonesian rider in the AP250 class, whilst Irfan made his podium debut in SS600. Now the team faces a new challenge at the Chang International Circuit, with the ambition of maintaining the positive momentum and fighting for the top positions in both classes. Gerry and Irfan have previous experience in Thailand thanks to their time in both the Asia Talent Cup (ATC) and the ARRC itself. Gerry took two podium finishes -2nd in 2016 and 3rd in 2015- in the ATC, and last season he finished 6th in both races at Chang in the ARRC. Irfan’s best placing is 8th in the ATC (in both 2016 and 2017), although this round will be his debut there in the SS600 class. Rheza Danica and Awhin Sanjaya will start from scratch at the Thai track, focusing on adapting as quickly as possible to a new circuit onboard their Honda CBR250RR bikes. Last year, the team’s best result in Thailand was that of Dimas Ekky, who placed fifth in the sixth round of the season. This year’s visit to the Chang International Circuit will be held on April 14-15th, with two races held on Friday and Saturday.     QUOTES “I’m very excited about this second round of the ARRC in Thailand. Having two victories in the opening round and also good experience from the ATC’s round in Thailand gives me confidence to fight against the local riders. They are tough and have further experience riding in the Chang Circuit. In addition, the support from the Indonesian people will give me additional energy to achieve the best result.” Gerry Salim | AHRT ASIA PRODUCTION 250CC RIDER     “I couldn’t finish on the podium in the opening round in Johor, but I want to make it up in this second round. It won’t be easy, because the circuit is new for me and local riders will perform strongly. But I believe that with the CBR250RR bike I will be able to fight again in the front group. I won’t disappoint the people who have supported me.” Rheza Danica | AHRT ASIA PRODUCTION 250CC RIDER     “I couldn’t finish on the podium in the opening round in Johor, but I want to make it up in this second round. It won’t be easy, because the circuit is new for me and local riders will perform strongly. But I believe that with the CBR250RR bike I will be able to fight again in the front group. I won’t disappoint the people who have supported me.” Awhin Sanjaya | AHRT ASIA PRODUCTION 250CC RIDER     “The experience in Johor was so memorable for me. Fighting in the front group and being able to finish on the podium was nice. I want to repeat it in this second round. The team have given his maximum contribution to improve my bike, and now it’s my turn to put the Honda CBR600RR among the front riders. I hope I could make history for AHRT. Thank you all for your support.” Irfan Ardiansyah | AHRT SUPERSPORTS 600CC RIDER        

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TEAM PROFILE: RAMA HONDA by NTS T.Pro Ten10

2017, 2017 Round2, Asia Production 250, Supersports 600 /

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Team NTS T.Pro has introduced dramatic changes to their team setup for the 2017 season of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. With former partner Yuzy Racing now focusing on working with Honda Vietnam, the Japanese NTS T.Pro team has deepened their relationship with Indian racing outlet Ten10 Racing. With that comes a brand new bright red look, a drastic change to the team lineup, and more significant changes in the engineering department. Late 2016 saw NTS T.Pro manager Yusuke Teshima and lead rider Tomoyoshi Koyama spending weeks in India conducting rider clinics and training sessions. In 2017, the RAMA Honda by NTS T.Pro Ten10 team features a team that gels Japanese and Indian engineers together into a cohesive form to support their 5-rider line-up. In the SuperSports 600cc class, the team had opted to field three young riders – 18-year-old Taiga Hada, 23-year-old Sena Yamada and 24-year-old Shankar Sarath Kumar. In the Asia Production 250cc class, the team’s senior rider Tomoyoshi Koyama is partnered with Indian rider Sethu Rajiv. Any doubts about Taiga Hada’s ability to lead the team’s charge in the SuperSports 600cc class was dispelled during the opening leg of the 2017 season when the young rider finished second in Race 1 and won Race 2 in convincing manner. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_media_grid element_width=”3″ gap=”2″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1491815317303-a8d63e12-c93b-2″ include=”3747,3749,3751,3752,3753,3754,3755,3756,3757,3758,3759,3760,3761,3762,3382,3765″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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DOUBLE VICTORY FOR GERRY AND ASTRA HONDA

2017, 2017 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Race 2 of the Asia Production 250cc class brought the coveted double win for Indonesian rider Gerry Salim. The Astra Honda Racing rider dominated the proceedings as he led from start to finish with a time of 20’54.397s. A rocket start allowed Gerry to lead into Turn 1 with poleman Anupab Sarmoon and Takehiro Yamamoto hot on his tail. Gerry managed to carve out a lead when his team mate Rheza Danica Ahrens got mixed up within the front group. Rheza’s presence distracted the other riders enough for Gerry to pull away. “The race went easier for me today,” said Gerry. “Everything went according to script. I pushed hard in the first five laps and then brought the pace down a bit to conserve my tyres until the end.” Unable to catch up to Gerry, Anupab role a solo race in second place with a time of 20’56.112s. Takehiro Yamamoto edged out Tomoyoshi Koyama for third position with a time of 20’59.050s. Meanwhile, Rheza Danica was undoubtedly the man of the hour for Astra Honda Racing. He started the race from fourth on the grid but was penalized with a ride-through penalty when he jumpstarted the race. Rejoining the grid at P15, Rheza went past one rider after another to complete the 12-lap race in fifth place. As the sole double winner of the weekend, Gerry goes home with the maximum 50 points to his name. Takehiro Yamamoto tied with Anupab Sarmoon in second overall with 36 points each.

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GERRY TAKE FIRST 250 WIN FOR ASTRA HONDA

2017, 2017 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Indonesian rider Gerry Salim became the first Indonesian to win the Asia Production 250cc category after an inch-perfect performance in Race 1 of the season opener at the Johor Circuit. Starting the 12-lap race from third on the grid, Gerry grabbed the holeshot ahead of polesitter Anupab Sarmoon from team Yamaha Thailand Racing. Gerry, along with Anupab and 2015 250cc champion Takehiro Yamamoto quickly established themselves as the leaders of the race. Despite the frequent overtaking around the 3.86km circuit, Gerry was consistently in the lead when the pack crossed the start/finish line. The Indonesian rider kept a cool head and defeated the rigorous assault from Yamamoto to clinch the win with a time of 20’52.279s, only 0.055s in front of the Sidrap Honda Ikazuchi rider. Anupab ended the race in third place with 20’52.738s. “The bike was really good and I must thank my team for their hard work. The only thing that put a damper on our race was the weather. It was really difficult conditions out there. I hope the skies will clear up so that we can have a better race in Race 2,” said Gerry who was also the only rider to have won both SuperSports 600cc and Asia Production 250cc races in the Asian series so far. Behind the leading trio, Astra Honda’s debutants Rheza Danica Ahrens and Awhin Sanjaya put in creditable performances with a fourth and fifth place finish respectively. Rheza stopped the clock at 20’58.657s while Awhin posted 21’01.623s at the head of the second group. Former SuperSports 600cc rider, Tomoyoshi Koyama ended his first 250cc race in seventh place while the sole Kawasaki on the grid finished eighth.

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ANUPAB SARMOON QUICKEST IN FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE

2017, 2017 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Yamaha Thailand’s Anupab Sarmoon extended his dominating pace on the first day of Asia Production 250cc free practice as Round 1 of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship gets underway at the 3.86km Johor Circuit. Anupab, who was consistently one of the fastest riders during the official pre-season test, ended the day as the quickest 250cc rider with a time of 1’44.202s. However, Anupab will have a tough fight on his hands, especially from his closest Honda rival – Gerry Salim. The Indonesian rider clocked 1’44.584s, only 0.382 seconds off Anupab’s pace. 2015 250cc champion Takehiro Yamamoto was third fastest with 1’44.964s. Elsewhere, Yamaha Indonesian duo Imanuel Putra Pratna and Galang Hendra Pratama rounded up the top five of the day with times of 1’45.290s and 1’45.319s respectively.

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EXTRA TYRES FOR A TOUGH SEASON OPENER

2017 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

The SuperSports 600cc and Asia Production 250cc riders competing in Round 1 of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Johor Circuit this weekend, will be receiving extra tyres for the race weekend. The SuperSports 600cc riders will receive an extra full set each while the Asia Production 250cc riders will be allocated an extra rear tyre. This decision was made to maintain the competitive level of the races, while taking into consideration, the track surface conditions and its wear and tear on the tyres.

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ASIA PRODUCTION 250cc: WHAT’S NEW IN 2017

2017, 2017 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Getting up to speed with the changes in the paddock as Round 1 flags off at the Johor Circuit on April 1 and 2, 2017. 1. Missing on The Grid The AP250 class will be racing without a defending champion this year. Apiwat Wongthananon will be spending 2017 in Europe, racing in the Spanish CEV Championship. Similarly, Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin will take a hiatus from the ARRC to train in the CEV.   2. From the 600cc crew 2016 SuperSports 600cc competitors, Tomoyoshi Koyama, Gerry Salim, Mohd Fitri Ashraf Razali and Andy Muhammad Fadly will be racing in the Asia Production 250cc category.   3. Girl Power In Team One For All Former GP rider, Youichi Ui, has filled his team One For All with two female riders this season. They are Naoko Takasugi (Bike 750) from Japan, and Tran Thi Doan Trang (Bike 16) from Vietnam. With Muklada Sarapuech back in the ARRC, there will be three female riders in the AP250cc at Round 1.   4. Bui Duy Thong moves up Making his debut in the Underbone class last year, Vietnamese rider Bui Duy Thong has confirmed his move to the 250cc category this season.

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PRE-SEASON: ANUPAB FILLS IN FOR APIWAT

2017, 2017 Test, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Team Yamaha Thailand Racing followed up a strong performance in the SuperSports 600cc class with equally dominant results in the Asia Production 250cc category. With defending champion Apiwat Wongthananon jetting off for the Spanish Championship this season, Anupab Sarmoon proved himself an able replacement when he logged the fastest time of 01’43.469s. Anupab’s best time has become the new lap record for the Johor Circuit, smashing Apiwat’s previous laptime of 01’44.959s by more than a second. Indonesians Rheza Danica Ahrens and Gerry Salim, both from team Astra Honda Racing, clocked the second and third fastest time of the session astride their brand new Honda CBR250RR. Newcomer Rheza posted 01’43.536s ahead of Gerry’s 01’44.432s. Honda’s intent to win the AP250 title in 2017 was glaringly clear with as many as two SuperSports 600cc riders being moved to spearhead their challenge in the 250cc class. These were Tomoyoshi Koyama who narrowly missed out on the SuperSports 600cc title last year as well as Gerry Salim who delivered a stunning 600cc double win in Indonesia. Nevertheless, the Yamaha camp has been able to keep abreast of the developments. Anupab’s Yamaha Thailand Racing team mate Peerapong Loiboonpeng clocked fourth fastest with 01’44.432s while Galang Hendra Pratama representing Yamaha Racing Indonesia posted fifth fastest with 01’44.520s. 2015 AP250 Champion, Takehiro Yamamoto, who will be racing in team Sidrap Honda Ikazuchi colours this season, was sixth fastest with 01’44.534s.

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ALL NEW HONDA CBR250RR RACING PROJECT KICKED OFF

2017 Test, Asia Production 250 /

Jakarta – Racing development of All New Honda CBR250RR have been started, with races such as Asia Road Racing Championship, Asia Production 250cc (AP250) in the scope. Shakedown test will be conducted on 5th and 6th of December at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, after the final round of ARRC 2016. Top racers of AHRT, including Andi Gilang, will join the test to get the initial feeling of All New Honda CBR250RR. More details including rider formation will be announced in the early year before the racing season 2017 start. “The racing development of All New Honda CBR250RR has been started. One of its way is through the race of ARRC AP250 class on next year,” as concluded by Marketing Director PT Astra Honda Motor Margono Tanuwijaya

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APIWAT SEALS THE DEAL ON A HIGH NOTE

2016, 2016 Round6, Asia Production 250 /

Race 2 of the Asia Production 250cc class was a showcase performance between the two main actors of the 2016 season – incoming champion Apiwat Wongthananon and 2015 winner Takehiro Yamamoto. The two top riders quickly established themselves as the pace setters for the 10-lap Asia Production 250cc race. The two rivals worked together effectively and pulled away from the chasing group. Behind them, Malaysian rookie Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin, who started the race from the back of the grid due to a race-start infringement penalty, stole the limelight when he made up 26 spots within a lap to reach P3 at the end of Lap 1. As the race progressed, the Apiwat-Yamamoto collaboration had created a 3.7s gap at the front by Lap 4. Kasma was left fighting for third position against two other Yamaha Thailand Racing riders, Anupab Sarmoon and Peerapong Loiboonpeng. The jousting sticks came out for real at the final lap. Apiwat burst out of Yamamoto’s slipstream and dug deep for an extra burst of speed to the finish line. The Thai rider came near to scoring a perfect season as he took his ninth victory of 2016 with a time of 19’25.546s. Takehiro Yamamoto confirmed his position in second overall when he took second place with 19’26.248s. Behind the leading duo, Indonesian rider Imanuel Putra Pratna had a surprise in store when he out-sprinted Anupab and Kasma to finish third with a time of 19’26.062s. The outcome from the final race of the season saw Apiwat toting up 246 points this season. Yamamoto notched up 171 points while Anupab Sarmoon finished third overall with 166 points. Similarly, team Yamaha Thailand Racing took home the team award trophy with 279 points. Trickstar Racing was second overall with 177 points and AP Honda Thailand ended the season in third overall with 137 points.

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