Asia Production 250

Asia Production 250cc category Race 2 of IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship opening round at Chang International Circuit displayed another pulse-pounding race in Race 2 of the opening round of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship when ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM rider, Herjun Atna Firdaus took breathtaking sprint to the finish line to claim victory.The race commenced with Race 1 winner, Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah from YAMAHA Racing Indonesia making an impressive start, leading the pack with Cao Viet Nam from Honda Racing Vietnam Team and Herjun closely trailing behind. However, Viet Nam swiftly seized the lead on the second lap, with Faerozi and Herjun in hot pursuit. As the race progressed, Herjun Atna Firdaus surged to the front on the third lap, however overtaken by Viet Nam on the following lap. The battle intensified with each passing lap, as the riders’ positions changed rapidly. In a dramatic twist of events on the final lap, Herjun made a daring move to reclaim the lead from Aiki Iyoshi from Motul Sniper Manual Tech and Arai Agaska Dibani Laksana from YAMAHA Racing Indonesia. At the last turn, Viet Nam crashed as his machine grazed by Herjun’s immediately loosing balance and giving way for Herjun to claim victory at 18’54:072s. Herjun said, “I want to thank my team for providing me with the best bike. Despite a misshift in the final lap, I remained determined to defend my position. Crossing the finish line in first place is an incredible feeling, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete at this level.” At the second spot was Aiki Iyoshi from Motul Sniper Manual Tech who clocked in 18’54:246s. Muhammad Syarifuddin Azman of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team took third place when he logged in at 18’54:654s. Top 5 Fastest – Race 2 Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The excitement reached fever pitch as Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship continued with Race 1 in the fiercely contested Asia Production 250cc category. Muhammad FaeroziToreqottullah of Yamaha Racing Indonesia showcased remarkable skill and determination, clinching victory in a thrilling race at Chang International Circuit. Earlier in the Qualifying session, Faerozi did well when he clocked in fastest at 1:51.440s. He took the pole-position on the grid followed by Herjun Atna Firdaus of Astra Honda Racing Team and Cao Viet Nam of Honda Racing Vietnam Team on the second and third spot when they clocked in at 1:52.238s and 1:52.616s respectively. As the race commenced, Faerozi immediately took charge as he went on in an exhilarating battle on the track. Behind him, Herjun and Viet Nam followed closely, eager to seize the opportunity to take the lead. Despite determined efforts from Arai Agaska Dibani Laksana from Yamaha Racing Indonesia, the top spot eluded him as Viet Nam hustled his way to the front, putting Faeroziin second position. However, the race was far from over, with Arai also making his presence felt as he surged to third place by the sixth lap. In the heat of the moment, Herjun surged ahead to claim the lead on the seventh lap, with Faerozi closely following in third position. The race intensified as Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa from Astra Honda Racing Team led the pack in the remaining laps. As the final lap approached, Viet Nam led the race, but Faerozi unleashed a stunning display of skill and determination, surging to the front towards the end of the race and ultimately crossing the finish line in first position with a total time of 18:53.834s. Faerozi said, “I stayed focused throughout the race, managing the engine temperature and conserving energy. In the final laps, I pushed hard, especially at the last corner and I am glad my strategy worked well. I dedicate this win to my wife and my late mother, and I am determined to continue performing well in Race 2.” Second place went to Arai Agaska Dibani Laksana from Yamaha Racing Indonesia who concluded the race at 18:53.984s. Herjun Atna Firdaus of Astra Honda Racing Team made it third at 18:54.283s. Top 5 Fastest – Race 1  Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The Asia Production 250cc category brought the heat to Round 1 practice sessions at the opening of  the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Round 1 held at Chang International Circuit,  Buriram, Thailand, with riders showcasing their speed and skill across three intense sessions.  In Practice 1, the track came alive with Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM leading  the pack with a blazing lap time of 1:52.490s. Cao Viet Nam from Honda Racing Vietnam Team made  it second at 1:52.847s followed by Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM  at 1:53.122s, setting the stage for a fiercely contested session. In Practice 2, Cao Viet Nam asserted his dominance, topping the timesheets with an impressive lap  time of 1:52.047s. Muhammad Faerozi Toreqotullah from YAMAHA Racing Indonesia who clocked his  best lap time of 1:52.047s and Aiki Iyoshi of Motul Sniper Manual Tech at 1:52.759s demonstrated their  speed and skill, securing the second and third spots respectively.  As soon as Practice 3 started, Faerozi showcased his prowess with a sensational lap time of 1:51.015s,  solidifying his position as a front runner. Besides Faerozi, Kiandra and Herjun continued to impress with  fastest lap time at 1:52.191s and 1:52.444s respectively, rounding out the top three with strong  performances.  The combined practice results revealed the true contenders in the field. Faerozi emerged fastest overall,  setting an impressive benchmark with his stellar performance. Cao Viet Nam and Muhammad Kiandra  Ramadhipa closely trailed behind, ensuring a thrilling battle for pole position in tomorrow’s Qualifying  session.  Faerozi said “I am happy with my performance today session by session. As you can see, I finished fifth  in Practice 1, then placed second in Practice 2 and got first place in Practice 3, in which the progress is  positive. To me all riders are threats as it was pretty hard to fight for the top position in each Practice  session. I will think of the best strategy to achieve the best result.” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The feisty appearance of the Asia Production 250cc machines will once again be seen on the grounds of Chang International Circuit this weekend for the season opener of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The entry line-up is just about everything that ups the ante in the race category. On for another season of competition and exhilaration is Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM who was close to sealing the deal as champion last season. However, bowing defeat to Rheza Danica is all he needed to be back with a renewed aspiration and this time around, it’s nothing but tripled-effort to take the crown. It was a tough game and standing out among his equally competitive teammates was not as easy at it seemed, however Herjun settled for 1st runner up after taking four wins including a hat-trick. Accompanying him on the team’s strategic plan this season is 14-year-old Kiandra Ramadhipa who made a one-time appearance last year filling in for Veda Ega on his home- ground circuit, Mandalika. Together, the team seems all set for the race this weekend. Commenting on the season, Herjun said, “Last season was a great experience for me although it was a stiff battle between my own teammate. This season however, it is all about making it to the top spot on the podium. I want to be the Asian Champion for the season, no doubt! As usual, my preparations include activities like physical training and bike practices. I have to work on my riding techniques so that I don’t lose touch. With the machine, I am aware that the power is slightly decreased compared to last season which means I would have to be more aggressive to take chances. With the new regulations being implemented, I think that there will be many good opportunities for an enhanced performance. On my part, I need to be more consistent and focused in achieving my goals. Chang circuit is an interesting one as it keeps the riders going on a good fight from the very first lap to the last one. Of course, there is also one tricky corner at the circuit’s tail end. It’s all about one round at a time though and my aim for the coming round is to quickly adapt with the regulations. I believe my team is also well prepared in helping me achieve my dream for the season.” Kiandra on the other hand said, “This year is going to be a lot more different for me but I am excited to be a part of the ARRC community. It will be the platform that changes the direction of my riding career and I am quite positive that it will have a big impact on it. I had the opportunity to have a feel of what it would be like riding in ARRC, specifically in the AP250 race category last season when I came in as a replacement for Veda. Although it was only for a round, I somehow have a rough idea in terms of the strategies and rhythm. Of course, there will also be a lot of learning on the go and the plus would be my teammate who has had way more experience and is also superb in what he does. I just have to learn from him and get the fastest time as possible in a short period of time. Overall, I think I am quite ready to race and most importantly is to have the right mindset on the circuit ground. Part of my preparation includes maintaining my physical fitness and picking up on riding techniques on the bike. For sure I will utilise my experience from last season in TTC Racing as best as possible for make the most out of ARRC.” If last year was not his year to celebrate among the top five riders, this year may just be the year for Aiki Iyoshi of Motul Sniper Manual Tech team. The Japanese rider lost his chance when he was trumped by lady rider Muklada Sarapuech. But that is not going to dampen his esteems as he prepares himself for another season of uphill battle. Aiki may have concluded last season with only one shot on the podium however rewinding to his past performances, traces of unpredictable tricks can be tracked in his moves which gives us a hint that he has what it takes to make, only with a little more push. Perhaps, his new teammate Diandra Trihardika may just be the boost he needs to up his game. Aiki commented, “Last year was really tough for me. I was fully aware that there were huge gaps between myself and the riders ahead of me. It was quite competitive and I could not keep up. This season, I am hoping that it would be different, more so with some changes to the machine. We will be riding aboard a 250cc 4-cylinder. Of course, it is not just about the machine but all in, it is also my ability to strike where possible. I will definitely try and do my best to take advantage of the situation where it permits. So far, I haven’t met my teammate so I am not sure what it would be like however, I believe we are on the same page. Therefore, it is all about progressively improving and helping each other out. Chang circuit is one of my favourites but I think the biggest challenge is from the second half section to the final corner. So, that’s where I have to work on. It is all about winning and that’s where it begins for me!” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The Asia Production 250cc has always had a fascinating spin with vivacious and highly dominant riders working their moves for a taste of victory. Today, at the finale of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Jakkreephat Pueetisan not only immersed himself in the celebratory moment but also presented his team Honda Racing Thailand, an unforgettable memory at home-ground in Race 2 of Round 6 at Chang International Circuit. The ride was nerve-wrecking in Race 1 when Veda faced threats from Thai teammates, Jakkreephat and Muklada. But Veda boldly removed himself from the pressure as he picked up speed. Cathing up with the Thai duo was Viet Nam who fought a good fight before Herjun broke into the party of three. Towards the last few laps, Veda was cruising towards the hall of fame when championship lead, Rheza joined the troop trailing him. As the battle behind him heated up, Veda glided towards victory. Thai duo, Jakkreephat and Muklada steered away from ASTRA HONDA teammates and dashed towards second and third. Once again, Veda was on fire as he went on to take lead but seconds into the race, he crashed, instantly opening up the opportunity for Muklada to take lead. Her teammate, Jakkreephat followed suit with Viet Nam at P3. On lap three, a slight glitch gave Jakkreephat the opportunity to move back into P1 but Viet Nam caught up. At P3, Wahyu Nugroho waited for his moment to strike. The fight among the trio became feistier. Rheza, who is in the running for the championship title made his way into P2 while Muklada kept a look out. The pressure mounted by mid-race. The exchange of positions became rampant. The ASTRA HONDA boys were overshadowed by the dexterities of their counterparts. Viet Nam on the other hand defended his position well and went on to form a slight gap but the troop quickly closed the gap with Muklada in charge. On the final lap, the lady rider revealed her fearless side as Jakkreephat and Herjun chased her. At the final turn, Muklada was defeated. Jakkreephat took the win at 18’54:829s. Commenting on the race, Jakkreephat said, “Today, the race was a little dangerous because the riders were highly competitive. Everyone was trying to overtake and move ahead. I had to find my pace and keep up and I am glad to have made it today.” Herun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM made it second at 18’55:088s. Muklada Sarapuech of Honda Racing Team made it third at 18’55:338s. Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM made Champion in the Asia Production 150cc race category for Season 2023. He said, “Today was a good race for me. Yesterday was a little difficult but, it was excellent. The group fought till the very end. I wanted to take the chance to fight for the podium but it was too competitive and so, I took the safer approach. This is my second time being the champion in AP250. I am extremely happy.” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

It was a nerve-wrecking show as expected in the Asia Production 250cc as riders went on with the match of rivalry at Chang International Circuit. Standing tall in Race 1, Round 6 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship was Veda Ega Pratama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM who made an impressive win. During the qualifying session today, Veda went on with the same momentum like yesterday and raised the bar up when he took the pole position with his best lap time at 1’51:528s. At the second spot on the grid was teammate Rheza Danica with his best lap time at 1’51:693s. Thai rider, Jakkreephat of Thailand Honda Racing made it on the third spot with his best lap time at 1’51:889s. As soon as the race flagged off, Jakkreephat was quick to slide ahead of Veda at turn one. But seconds into the race, Veda picked up his momentum and exchanged positions with the Thai rider. Before lap 1 ended, Muklada made it into P2 before her teammate overtook. Challenging the trio was Viet Nam at P4 and together they formed the front troop. Meanwhile, Rheza took lead of the back troop with Irfan and Herjun close by. Two laps down, Veda positioned himself firmly as Thai teammates, Jakkreephat and Muklada worked together to take him down. By mid-race, Veda began drawing up gap to avoid the pressure from the Thais. As he went on a solo mission ahead of the troop behind with a gap of 3.166s, his teammate Herjun found his way into the battle for P2. The intensity grew among the four riders. Veda was out of threat but the four riders engaged in a fury fight as Rheza Danica finally joined them. On the last lap, Veda was on his way to celebrate victory but behind him, Jakkreephat, Herjun and Muklada took one last swing at the last turn before Jakkreephat dashed ahead to finish second on the podium at 18’41:898s. Veda Ega made victory 6.039s earlier at 18’41:937s. Commenting on the race, Veda said, “This weekend has been a fantastic for me. I just went on to enjoy the race as much as I could. Of course, I also tried remained focused throughout. I want to say thank you to the team and all sponsors as well as my family and my Indonesian fans who have been a great support to me throughout.” Muklada Sarapuech of Honda Racing Thailand completed third at 18’47:940s. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The battle for the best in the Asia Production 250cc begun today at the Chang International Circuit. Veda Ega Pratama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM made his mark today as the fastest man in the practice sessions, combined for Round 6 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. In FP1 that happened this morning, the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM boys went on to mark their territories when they took the top three fastest positions with Veda Ega clocking in fastest with his best lap time at 1’52:346s followed by Rheza Danica at 1’52:621s and Herjun Atna at 1’52:884s. In FP2, Veda Ega once again went on to make the fastest lap time at 1’52:247s. Second fastest was Cao Viet Nam of Honda Racing Vietnam Team with his best lap time at 1’52:804s. Rheza Danica clocked in third fastest with his best lap time at 1’52:851s. In FP3, Veda Ega maintained his momentum as we went on once again to score the fastest lap time at 1’51:714s. The young chap who made his debut in the race category this season has not only succeeded in accomplishing goals but has also been a challenge to his own teammates with his extraordinary skills. In Race 1 of the season opener, Veda flaunted his moves and finished second. Chang may not be a problem for him this weekend. With a total of 135 points in his hands, he currently sits at the third spot overall and will be battling for the top three spots overall. Commenting on the FP session, Veda Ega said, “I am quite familiar with the circuit because I raced in the Asia Talent Cup last season. Not forgetting Round 1 of the season which has given me some valuable experience for this round. I am quite confident here. I have a good feeling on this circuit although today, the lap time was not fantastic for me, in my opinion. I will do better tomorrow for sure. The layout has two long-straights and high-speed corner which makes it interesting but at the same time challenging. The last corner is also tough as it is a little narrow but I will do my best in the qualifying tomorrow and I hope to win in the race.” Making it second and third fastest in FP3 and combined was Jakkreephat Puettisan of Honda Racing Thailand and Mohammed Faerozi of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia with their best lap time at 1’51:819s and 1’52:006s. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

Entertaining at its best, the riders of the Asia Production 250cc has taken the game up a notch with their mind-blowing performances. Rising above it all are duo of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM, Rheza Danica Ahrens and Herjun Atna Firdaus who can’t seem to get enough as they navigate through the challenges of rivalry to be the best. The Indonesians are just one round away from making it in their games. But between them, who would hail as champion? It’s all happening this weekend in Round 6 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Chang International Circuit. Taking a double-win at the season opener, Rheza immediately awed the audience with his extraordinary performances but his teammate Herjun began getting his grip from round 2 onwards before darting a bullseye with a hat-trick in round 3 and round 4. The two key riders of ASTRA HONDA are undeniably well equipped with the ideals of a perfect rider and although the 23-point difference holds them apart with Rheza having the upper-hand, it is a matter of time before mastery and fate collides and the narratives takes an entirely different direction. Commenting on the coming race, Rheza said, “It was a fantastic start for us at Chang International Circuit, to be honest. Then, as expected, there was a cut of 500 in RPM after Malaysia and another 500 in Sugo. That was devastating and challenging at the same time. I struggled a little bit in that situation but to be frank, the team got over it almost immediately and did a great job to make sure that I was still competitive and fast on the circuit. Without challenges, where is the fun in racing, isn’t it? I still am very happy with our performances and I do hope that luck would be on my side in the coming last two races at Chang. The circuit is one of my favourites in the ARRC calendar. So, definitely I look forward to the coming round with the hope that it will go as planned without any major setbacks.” The ever-positive spirited lad continued, “I have a lot of confidence in my team and I am pretty certain that I have a big chance for the title win this season. It all boils down to effort as well. I can’t afford to sit back and relax. It is hard work from the beginning till the end. The machine is a complete package and has been complemented me well throughout the season. It is undoubtedly fast and that is one of its best features, thanks to my crew. I enjoyed every moment aboard the machine. When it comes to my teammate, we share a lot of things about the race during the race week. We brainstorm where we can and work out on issues pertaining to the circuit. I am fully motivated for the next season and I hope to be just as competitive like this season. I have learnt a lot throughout this season and I will move forward with that knowledge for a better outcome.” Herjun on the other hand said, “This is the second season that I have been making my mark in the AP250 race category. It gives me great honour to be in the fight for the Asia Champion title this season. Personally, my most memorable moment was Round 4 in Mandalika where I took the double win in the presence of my parents. That win was priceless. In Zhuhai however, I had a bad time in Race 1 which cost me valuable points. I made a mistake at that time in the first lap, at the last corner. It was a tough time as I had to deal with my emotions to make it back on the podium. In Race 2, I managed to embrace it and made it third. So, the overall experiences that I had in the last two rounds has been somewhat a bitter-sweet memory for me and I am grateful for it.” He went on to say, “I understand that my biggest rival are my teammates who are really good in their games. But whatever said and done, I am focused on my own achievements. I believe that if I do well, it will benefit the team overall. This time around, I think I have improved tremendously and that has worked well for the machine too. So, it is a combination of man and machine. Definitely, our crew has been a great addition and support in our overall achievement’s throughout. For the coming round, I am aware that the challenges are inevitable. The part that will be tough in my opinion is the two long straights, even more so with the RPM cut of 1000 which will surely make a whole lot of difference. Nevertheless, I have speed in sector three, so there is an upside! The team has been ever supportive, be it when I won or lost. They have been my backbone. I will do my best as a rider. Buriram, here I come!” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The competition among the Asia Production 250cc riders has always been a captivating one with the ladies and gentlemen of the best kind taking the rhythm up a notch. Sailing through flawlessly and bagging the top spot was Veda Ega Pratama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM in Race 2 of Round 5, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship which was held at Zhuhai International Circuit. Recapping the performances of Race 1, Veda took charge of the circuit making waves on each lap while,Muklada, Jakkreephat and Rheza battled their rivalries behind. With two more laps to go, Veda who had made a 7-second gap, had a ride through penalty, which gave the trio an instant pass to supersede him. Veda lost his chance but the lady was all out to bring the boys down. On the final lap, Muklada blazed her way to victory with Rheza taking the second spot and Jakkreephat landing himself third. Veda was quick to make his move at turn one, immediately taking lead as Jakkreephat and Muklada took P2 and P3. Nevertheless, Faerozi and Rheza were quick in getting ahead of Muklada before lap 1 ended. Muklada would not give up. As her teammate diligently trailed Veda, Muklada was fighting a battle with Faerozi and Rheza for the third position. She embraced the challenges as she went on to compete competitively. By the end of lap 3, Veda was 0.7s away from Jakkreephat who maintained his pace at P2. Mid lap 4, Herjun began making his moves and glided ahead of the trio. By then, Viet Nam emerged among the second troop. By mid-race, the duo in front were pacing with no pressure. But the intensity among the back troop became nerve-wrecking. Herjun took lead with Faerozi and Viet Nam chasing aggressively for the third place. With another three laps to go, Veda was 4.8 seconds away from Jakkreephat. Herjun and Faerozi picked up speed but Viet Nam caught up quickly. On the final lap, Veda and Jakkreephat went on to complete the race at first and second spot respectively. The second troop had one final battle before Herjun took speed to finish third. Commenting on the race, Veda who logged in at 18’20:774s said, “Race 1 didn’t work out for me because of the ride through. So, this was my time to make up for my loss yesterday. I did my best to stay focused and keep up with my pace. With that, I managed to draw a good big gap and avoided all threats from the back. I thank my team, crew members and everyone who have supported me throughout!” Jakkreephat Puettisan of Honda Racing Thailand clocked in second at 18’30:018s. Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM made it third at 18’34:804s. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The Asia Production 250cc was nothing short of a powerful stride among the best of Asia with both the lads and lasses heating up the circuit in their mission top the chart. Muklada Sarapuech of Honda Racing Team claimed victory today in Race 1 of Round 5, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship that was held at the Zhuhai International Circuit. In the qualifying session that took place earlier this morning, Veda Ega of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM went on to score the fastest lap time at 1’50:117s consequently bagging the pole position for the weekend. At second and third spot on the grid were duo of Honda Racing Thailand, Jakkreephat and Muklada with their best lap time at 1’50:383s and 1’50:569s respectively. Jakkreephat did not waste a moment as soon as the race was flagged off. He took a quick slide ahead of the troop, into P1 with Veda and Muklada behind him. But very quickly, Veda recovered P1. Before the lap ended, Veda drew a gap leaving trio Muklada, Herjun and Jakkreephat rivalling for the next spot. Before lap 2 ended, Herjun slipped and sled straight into the gravel. His teammate, Veda on the other hand was cruising comfortably at arm’s length with a gap of 2.339s while duo of the same team, Muklada and Jakkreephat went on a fierce battle. Behind them, Faerozi was waiting to strike with Rheza making swift moves between them. Before lap three ended, Rheza made it into P3. As Veda glided comfortably ahead with no threats and pressure, the battle for P2 was striking among Jakkreephat, Muklada and Rheza. By lap 6, Faerozi joined the troop. The only Yamaha rider struggled to keep up pace with the Honda riders. With three more laps to go, Veda has drawn an impressive 7.421s gap with the troop behind unfortunately at the 8th lap, Veda who had to serve his penalty was left behind when the trio quickly overtook at high-speed. At the final lap, the rivalry continued between Muklada at P1 and Rheza at P2. The lady rider was not about to give in to her male counterpart. At the last turn, she fled towards her first victory at 18’35:277s. Commenting on the race, Muklada said, “Rheza and Jakkreephat were really strong. It was a fierce fight with them all the way. We had the advantage at the long straight towards the end of the race today. Of course, I hope to make it again tomorrow. I thank my team members, crew, family and friends for their support and let’s see how it goes tomorrow.” Taking the second spot was Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM at 18’35:476s. Jakkreephat Puettisan of Honda Racing Thailand made it third at 18’35:565s. Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com