Asia Production 250

MUROBBIL STRIKED LATE TO LEAD AT SEPANG

2025, 2025 Round 2, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Round 2 of the 2025 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship happened today at the Sepang International Circuit, where Mohammad Murobbil Vitoni of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM set the pace as the fastest rider in the AP250 combined practice sessions. The day began with Practice 1, where Riichi Takahira of TY Antares Racing Team led the field with a best lap time of 2’24.253s. Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM followed closely with a 2’24.563s lap, while Irfan Ardiansyah of MAEZTRO NWN SCK HONDA RACING TEAM secured third with a time of 2’24.767s. Practice 2 saw Krittapat improve his performance, topping the session with a time of 2’24.157s. Muhammad Irfan Haykhal Amidi, also representing MAEZTRO NWN SCK HONDA RACING TEAM, delivered a strong run to take second with a 2’24.409s lap, followed by Murobbil Vitoni in third at 2’24.504s. The breakthrough came in Practice 3, where Murobbil stepped up to dominate the session, clocking a blistering 2’23.346s to go fastest overall. Irfan Haykhal continued his strong form, finishing second with a time of 2’23.397s, while Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA impressed with a 2’23.488s lap to secure third. With the combined times from all three sessions, Murobbil emerged as the fastest rider of the day. It was an encouraging sign for the Indonesian as he sets the tone heading into qualifying. Irfan Haykhal and Candra H rounded out the top three overall, and both will be key contenders to watch in tomorrow’s Qualifying session. Murobbil said, “Alhamdulillah, today was quite satisfying, from in FP1 to FP3. In FP1, I focused on adapting because this is my first year competing in the AP250 class. There was some progress in FP2, although I was still struggling in a few sectors, and the bike also had some shortcomings. Alhamdulillah, I managed to set a good lap time in FP3, although there are still a few areas to improve. For tomorrow’s qualifying, I’ll do my best to optimise both the bike and my position heading into Race 1. Hopefully, I can deliver a strong performance in both qualifying and the race. The weather remains uncertain, so I’ll just stay focused.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE

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DOUBLE VICTORY FOR FADILLAH AT CHANG!

2025, 2025 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

In a thrilling contest during opening round of 2025 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM secured a remarkable victory in Race 2 for AP250 at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand today. The race began with Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM leading the pack, closely followed by Fadillah and Murobbil Vitoni of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM. During the race, while Krittapat, Fadillah, Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA were in close contention, Cao Viet Nam of HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM gradually making his way up to P5. The lead changed frequently, Fadillah made his way back on top on lap 4, followed closely by Yamaha riders Murobbil, Candra, and Krittapat. Cao Viet Nam continued to climb, securing P5. The final lap saw an intense battle between Fadillah and Krittapat, who managed to pull a 2:746s gap over the second group. In the end, it was Fadillah Arbi who clinched the victory at 18’49:659s. Krittappat secured second at 18’49:808s, and Cao Viet Nam of HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM placed third at 18’52:953s. “At the beginning of the race, I just tried to follow Krittapat, as he had a good pace. I stayed with the group and focused on maintaining the pace. I analyzed where I could break away, and in one moment, I found a good slipstream. Krittapat was also trying to pull away, so I thought, ‘Okay, now let’s race.’ I started pushing again, especially in the last corner of the final lap. I tried to brake as late as possible, knowing that yesterday he tried something similar, and today he wouldn’t try the same. So, I braked as late as I could and managed to make it stick. Alhamdulillah, I won again today.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

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FADILLAH’S BOLD WIN IN RACE 1

2025, 2025 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Fadillah Arbi Aditama of the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM emerged victorious in a thrilling Race 1 of the AP250 category at the opening round of the 2025 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, held at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand. In the qualifying session, Krittapat Keankum of the YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM secured pole position with a fastest lap time of 1’50:603s. Fadillah followed closely in second with a time of 1’50:867s, while Riichi Takahira of TY ANTARES RACING TEAM qualified third at 1’51:614s. As the race began, Krittapat got off to a strong start, followed closely by Fadillah and Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA, who held P2 and P3 respectively. Krittapat, Fadillah, and Candra quickly pulled away from the rest of the field, creating a 1:576s gap from the second group early in the race. On lap 3, Candra set an impressive lap time of 1’51:833s to take the lead. However, both Fadillah and Krittapat soon reclaimed the top positions in a tense back-and-forth battle. The final lap saw Fadillah redeem himself by crossing the finish line first with a time of 18’44:334s, followed by Candra at 18’46:404s. Davino Britani of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM rounded out the podium with a time of 18’46:647s. Krittapat, who had shown tremendous pace throughout the race, entered last turn too aggressively, hoping to come out first for the run to the finish line, however he lost the front-end grip upon entry, resulting an unfortunate P16 for the pole setter. Fadillah said, “This was a really tough race. I thought it was going to rain, but it didn’t. And now, right after the finish, it’s started raining again! From the beginning, I focused on maintaining my pace because I knew I had the speed and understood my braking points. On the last lap, I gave it everything. I knew Krittapat would try to attack me at the final corner, so I decided to brake late. I was right on the limit and didn’t want to force a battle there, so when he went in too deep, I saw the opportunity, cut back inside, and took the win. I’m incredibly thankful to everyone who’s supported me. This was an unforgettable race!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1

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HOT TRACK, HOT PACE FOR KRITTAPAT

2025, 2025 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The 2025 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship kicked off with a strong local showing, as Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM set the fastest time in the AP250 combined practice sessions at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand. In Practice 1, Krittapat topped the timesheets with a best lap of 1’51:688s. Just 0:044s behind him was Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM, who posted a time of 1’51:732s. Riichi Takahira of TY ANTARES RACING TEAM completed the top three with a 1’52:251s lap. Krittapat continued his strong performance in Practice 2, improving his time to 1’51:549s. Riichi and Fadillah also maintained their presence in the top three, recording their best laps at 1’52:528s and 1’52:605s respectively to finish second and third in the session. In Practice 3, Krittapat held firm at the top, shaving more time off with a best lap of 1’51:495s. Fadillah followed in second with 1’51:881s, while Krittapat’s teammate Davino Britani stepped up to third with a 1’52:194s lap. Based on the combined practice results, Krittapat emerged as the fastest overall, marking a strong start to his campaign and making him a local hero in the making. The ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM duo, Fadillah and Davino, secured second and third places respectively. Krittapat said, “Today I felt really good with the bike, the track, and the overall setup from the team. I pushed on every lap, trying to improve and understand both the bike and the circuit better, especially in a few key corners. I made some adjustments to my riding style and we also fine-tuned the engine settings to get the best performance. I’m confident going into tomorrow’s race, and I’ll give it my all. Big thanks to my team for their hard work and support, they’ve done an amazing job helping me prepare.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE

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WHO’LL BE THE PICK OF THE WEEK?

2025, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The machines are lined up and the riders are geared up. Another season of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is just days away at Chang International Circuit. What’s new in the Asia Production 250cc? The format remains but the riders are one step away from recognising their worth and strength in what is seen as one of the most competitive feats in the championship. After many “almost-there” situations, Herjun Atna finally laid his hands on the most sought-after championship trophy last season and with him out of the picture this season, it’s an open spot for the high-achievers of the race category in testing their limits and breaking the boundaries. Coming in as contenders in the race category, representing the two consecutive winning team, ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM are Fadhillah Arbi and David Britani who may seem like they are dipping their toes but could potentially be the dose of the much-needed challenge to the scene. As for luck, Cao Viet Nam of HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM was not really a strong match last season despite his striking moves and close encounter towards victory. Looking back at his rush of adrenaline, the Vietnamese rider definitely has what it takes to soar to the peak but again, will he be able to fight off the bursting energy from his closest contenders this coming season? “To me, most importantly, I finish all races without crashing or slipping at the eleventh hour. I want to avoid pressure and enjoy the race as much as I can. I like my current machine and I get to compete competitively with the other strong contenders. So, that is a plus for me at the moment. So, at this point of time, luck or not, I would take it with an open mind to do my best.” The Kawasaki team on the other hand was not bad themselves last season with Aiki Iyoshi of MOTUL KAWASAKI SNIPER MANUAL TECH pushing through and taking fifth on the scoreboard. The Japanese lad definitely knows his way aboard his machined and has even unveiled some of his hidden tactics however this season may come with a considerable challenge especially with 2022 champion, Andy Muhammad Fadly coming back for another shot at stardom. He said, “I am happy that Fadly is back but again, he is also one of my biggest rivals. Having him back on the team means we can together work on strategies, gather enough data with out four-cylinder machines and try out various other approaches in optimising our strengths as a team.” Andy Fadly on the other hand said, “I am not very coming back racing into the AP250 race category however due to my serious injury last season, I think this is my only option and at that the best one. The goal is to take the championship title once again for sure and with the injuries, it means more work and greater effort. Having had the experience in the AP250 long enough is a plus I would say. Teaming up with Aiki is great and I can’t wait to challenge him further and be on the podium together with him.”

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VIET NAM, BREAKING BARRIERS

2025, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Cao Viet Nam, a rider from Honda Racing Vietnam Team, has been making waves in the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). Known for his determination and rapid growth in motorsports, Viet Nam’s journey is a testament to perseverance, especially given the underdeveloped racing culture in his home country, Vietnam. Despite racing in a country where the sport isn’t well-established, Viet Nam’s performance has caught the attention of fans and competitors. During a tyre test, he was seen riding a 600cc bike, which led to speculation about his involvement in the SS600 category this season. However, he quickly cleared the air, stating that he will continue to compete in the AP250 category. His ambition and focus on improvement are what make his journey truly inspiring. Reflecting on 2024, he said, “I review the entire 2024 race and prepare well for 2025.” His analytical approach shows that Viet Nam is setting the stage for greater success in 2025, focusing not just on competing, but on continuous growth as a rider. As the new season approaches, Viet Nam’s response to questions about surprises for the upcoming season was humble: “I don’t really know much about the 2025 plan, I’m just focusing on myself to be better.” His commitment to self-improvement is evident. With this mindset, he’s setting himself up for success in a sport that demands constant adaptation. One of the most talked-about moments was when Viet Nam was seen riding a 600cc bike during a tyre test, sparking rumors that he might compete in the SS600 category. However, he quickly clarified, saying, “No, as far as I know. I will continue in the AP250 category with higher goals.” His focus remains firmly on achieving better results and being more consistent. Viet Nam’s ultimate goal for the season is to be more consistent. Reflecting on the past year, he said, “I want to compete more consistently, because last year I crashed a lot.” He’s taking these experiences in stride and aiming for steady progress. His determination to minimize mistakes and maintain his performance speaks to his maturity as a rider. When asked about his expectations, Viet Nam set a high bar: “I expect to get two podiums in one race weekend.” This shows his ambition. For a rider from a country with limited racing infrastructure, this is a bold yet achievable goal. Perhaps one of the most inspiring parts of Viet Nam’s story is his humble beginnings. Racing in Vietnam, where motorsport is still growing, has presented unique challenges. Viet Nam shared, “Actually, I come from Vietnam, where racing is not very developed. No racetrack, no experience with racing bikes, from the bottom up, so I just enjoy it.” His words reflect his resilience. Despite the lack of resources and structured racing culture, Viet Nam has carved a path for himself in international motorsports. His passion and ability to learn from every experience have allowed him to overcome the odds. Cao Viet Nam’s story is one of growth, determination, and passion. His journey is about pushing through the challenges of being a rider from a country with developing motorsports. With his focus on consistency, his goal of podium finishes, and his drive to improve, Viet Nam is definitely a rider to watch in the 2025 ARRC season.

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HERJUN CHAMPION AFTER 3 YEARS’ WAIT

2024, 2024 Round6, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The Asia Production 250cc category reached its dramatic conclusion at Race 2 of the season finale of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. After three seasons of relentless effort, Herjun Atna Firdaus from the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM finally achieved his long-awaited championship title, despite finishing the race in second place behind the winner, Cao Viet Nam of Honda Racing Vietnam Team. From the very start of the race, the lead changed hands multiple times, showcasing the competitive nature of the category. However, it was Cao Viet Nam who seized the lead on Lap 3, marking a turning point in the race. The championship battle took an unfortunate turn when Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa, the championship leader heading into the finale, was forced to retire from the race on Lap 3 due to a mechanical issue. This unexpected development shattered his title hopes and opened the door for other contenders to capitalize on his misfortune. As the race progressed, the leading group continued to shift positions. On Lap 6, another title hopeful, Peerapong Boonlert of YAMAHA Vit Chonburi, suffered another crash after a similar mishap in Race 1, further impacting his chances for the season’s top spot. The race became even more unpredictable with each lap, as riders fought to position themselves for a final push towards the finish line. By Lap 8, it was clear that the battle for the win would come down to Cao Viet Nam and Herjun Atna Firdaus, with Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia following in third place, just 1.7 seconds behind. Despite his best efforts, Faerozi could not bridge the gap to challenge the two Honda riders for the lead. Cao Viet Nam crossed the finish line to claim victory at 19’02:009s, while Herjun finished in second place at 19’02:589s. However, it was enough for Herjun Atna Firdaus to secure the 2024 Asia Production 250cc Championship with consistent performances throughout the season. Herjun said, “I can’t express how much this means to me. This journey has been incredibly tough. In my first year, I came so close but failed to claim the championship. In the second year, I tried again, but the title slipped through my fingers. I watched my teammate celebrate his success while I was left feeling disappointed. But today, I can finally say that I’ve made it. To my team, my family, and all the supporters who have stood by me through thick and thin — this victory is for you. You all never stopped believing in me, and this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Look, we’ve done it together. I’m so proud to bring this title home to all of you.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 TOP 5 OVERALL STANDING TOP 5 TEAM OVERALL STANDINGS

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KIANDRA THE NEW CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER

2024, 2024 Round6, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM emerged victorious in a thrilling Race 1 of the AP250 category at Round 6 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, held at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand. In the qualifying session, Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia claimed pole position with a fastest lap time of 1’51:714s. Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM took second with a time of 1’51:872s, while his teammate, Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa, qualified in third with a time of 1’51:949s. As the race began, Herjun made a strong start, but Faerozi quickly overtook him. Peerapong Boonlert of YAMAHA Vit Chonbur also got off to a strong start, but unfortunately fell at the first corner along with Cao Viet Nam of the Honda Racing Vietnam Team. By lap 3, the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM duo of Herjun and Kiandra led the pack in P1 and P2, while Faerozi and Kiandra’s teammate, Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa, maintained constant pressure in P3 and P4, looking for opportunities to overtake. The race became increasingly intense on lap 5, especially among the championship contenders—Faerozi, Herjun, and Kiandra—who were all within half a second of each other, battling fiercely for the top spot. In the final lap, while battling for P1, the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM duo worked together at the front to lead the race. However, Faerozi, with a top speed of 193.9 km/h, managed to overtake Herjun and move into the lead. The race concluded with Kiandra crossing the finish line first, claiming victory with a time of 18’53.236s. With this win, Kiandra now leads the championship with 147 points, having made up for the points he missed in Round 5. He now holds a 2-point advantage over Herjun. Kiandra said, “During the race, my only focus was on doing my best for the team and for Indonesia. I didn’t let the pressure of the championship challenge distract me. My main goal was to concentrate on delivering the best performance possible. I’m really happy to secure the victory in Race 1, and I hope to carry this momentum into tomorrow’s race to achieve even better results.” Faerozi finished in second place with a time of 18’53.236s, while his teammate Arai Agaska Dibani Laksana completed the podium in third place with a time of 18’53.395s. Due to an infringement of Article 1.21(3) of the 2024 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship regulations, which addresses “Short Cutting and Gaining a Lasting Advantage,” Faerozi has been penalised a dropped of 1 position. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1AP250

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GREAT START FOR FAEROZI AT CHANG

2024, 2024 Round6, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The AP250 category at Round 6 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, hosted at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand watched Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia appeared fastest in the Practice Sessions that concluded today. In Practice 1, Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM secured the top spot with the fastest lap time of 1’53:382s. Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia placed second with the fastest lap time of 1’53:738s. Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM took third place at 1’53:892s. Practice 2 watched Cao Viet Nam of Honda Racing Vietnam Team took the top spot with the fastest lap time of 1’52:881s. Faerozi placed second at 1’53:071s, followed by Kiandra at 1’53:360s. In Practice 3, Faerozi clocked fastest lap time of 1’51:558s to claimed the top spot. Behind him was Herjun at 1’52:521s followed by Kiandra at 1’52:658s. The combined results from the practice sessions showed Faerozi emerging as the fastest overall while Herjun and Kiandra trailed behind setting the stage for the battle for pole position in tomorrow’s Qualifying session. Faerozi said, “Today I tested several different setups for both the suspension and engine. Alhamdulillah, in FP3, I found a setup that works well, so now I’m focusing on the Qualifying session and the race tomorrow. I’m feeling positive and ready to give my best effort.” Fastest Lap Time:Practice Session (Combined)

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HOT ON WHEELS!

2024, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The Asia Production 250cc of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is bound to get feistier in the season finale at Chang International Circuit which will take place this weekend. With the likes of teammates Herjun Atna Firdaus and Md Kiandra Ramadhipa of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM against Md Faerozi Toreqotullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia, it is a race not to be missed! It has been quite an overwhelming season for the AP250 riders but duo of ASTRA HONDA has stayed above the rest in their bid to secure the finest spot on the chart. Herjun of course would not give in to a debutante considering his prowess and years in the race category but Ramadhipa is not one to shy away from the limelight too. The battle between the teammates while has been relentless has also been a powerful motivational force that drove both towards multiple victories. Herjun currently takes lead with six podium-finish including two wins whereas Ramadhipa takes second on the chart with three podium-finish including a double-win. Will the dynamic duo be able to ward off the threats ahead? Commenting on the race, Herjun said, “I believe that we can work as a team to keep the contenders at bay. Our team is always prepared and they are all about us making it at the top. It would definitely be a competitive round at Chang – from start to completion especially at the final turn where the drama unfolds. I like the circuit and I have had my special moments there when I won the Thailand Talent Cup in 2018. So, I am pretty confident, I would say! But of course, everyone wants the fine piece of the pie but I want it more and I am almost there. Next round, I will follow ASTRA HONDA’s rider formation and go all out towards victory. I want to move on to the next level. My body is too big for AP250 already!” Ramadhipa on the other hand said, “We will definitely fight in our own ways and capacities with the same goal – to win! My current challenge is the RPM limitations and I am trying my best to optimise the potentials of the machine for a maximised outcome. The Chang circuit is quite tricky for our machine but what I love about it is the long-straight in sectors 1 and 2. There are the low-speed corners too which need more acceleration which could be a challenge for us. Our goal of course is to become a champion for sure but again there are many of us with the opportunities and its all about striking while the iron is hot. I will continue to be in the moment and do my best.” Shying away with a 2-point difference at the third spot is Faerozi who shot to fame this season with his brilliant and competitive stride. If last season was a bummer for the Indonesian lad, this year came along with his A-game with three wins and two podium-finish. The rider took home a 25-point in Race 1 during the season opener at Chang circuit which also means that Faerozi is one-up on the circuit ground. Will he be able to replicate the victorious moves is but a question that comes with greater disputes. Faerozi has nevertheless come a long way and what other better way to justify his accomplishments if not with a win? Faerozi said, “The first win at Chang changed my perspective of the overall season. It gave me enough fighting spirit to be on the podium in the consequent rounds. Not only that, racing on the Yamaha YZF-R3 machine for the first year has given me a lot of advantages throughout and I am pretty confident that I will be able to put on a good showdown in the season finale. I like the Chang circuit but I am also sure that all the other riders have their own advantages there too. So, we shall see. Overall, this season has been a great one for me. It is a total package – great machine, experience and team work. This has also given me the boost that is needed to perform better and fight for podium. The primary challenge is definitely the possibilities of becoming a champion which also means bucking up and no more fooling around. My goal is only one – to be the AP250 Asian Champion!” Malaysian rider, Md Syarifuddin Azman of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team is not far off and its all about pulling in the right stunts at the season finale. The rider finished podium twice this season and clearly, it has been quite a struggle for him however the opportunity is open and with the right and much-needed moves, he might just be in for a celebration.

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