Asia Production 250

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.

HOT ON WHEELS! Read More »

REDEMPTION FOR FAEROZI, HERJUN LEADS CHAMPIONSHIP

2024, 2024 Round 5, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

In a thrilling contest during Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia secured a remarkable victory in the Asia Production at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. The race showcased intense competition as Faerozi emerged victorious after a dramatic battle that saw frequent lead changes. The event began with Faerozi leading the pack on opening lap, closely followed by IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team duo, Muhammad Irfan Haykhal Amidi and Muhammad Syarifuddin Azman. By lap 2, Faerozi maintained his position while Aiki Iyoshi of Motul Sniper Manual Tech and Irfan moved up, with Cao Viet Nam of Honda Racing Vietnam Team also joining the front runners. The final lap intensified with Vietnam initially leading, but Faerozi and Aiki fought back strongly. In the decisive final lap, Faerozi executed a crucial overtaking maneuver on Aiki in the last turn, securing his position at the front and won the race at 19’37:060s, 0:013s ahead of Aiki. While Viet Nam took third place at 19’37:319s. Faerozi’s victory was a remarkable redemption after a challenging Race 1, where he failed to score any points. Herjun, despite finishing outside the top three in Race 2, earned 13 points, placing him at the top of the overall standings with 132 points, 10 points ahead of his teammate, Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa. Faerozi said, “After the crash yesterday, I stayed focused, taking it step by step and lap by lap. As I checked my bike in the last corner, I saw it was in great shape, so I seized the golden opportunity to secure the win. I hope to stay at the top in every race and ultimately grab the championship title.” Top 5 Fastest – Race 2

REDEMPTION FOR FAEROZI, HERJUN LEADS CHAMPIONSHIP Read More »

REDEMPTION FOR HERJUN IN SEPANG

2024, 2024 Round 5, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, saw Herjun Atna Firdaus of the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM claim victory in Race 1 of the Asia Production 250cc category. During the qualifying session, Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa of the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM secured pole position with a fastest lap time of 2’24.524s. His teammate, Herjun Atna Firdaus, qualified in second with a time of 2’24.812s, while Muhammad Faerozi of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia took third position with a time of 2’25.019s. As the race began, Faerozi surged to the front and led the charge, followed closely by Kiandra and Herjun in third. On Lap 2, Kiandra, who was in second position, managed to overtake Faerozi. However, Faerozi reclaimed the lead on Lap 5. By Lap 8, Aiki Iyoshi of Motul Sniper Manual Tech, who was in fifth place, had advanced to the front and took the lead, with Herjun closely trailing in second. The race concluded with Herjun crossing the finish line first, winning with a time of 19’36.164s. Herjun commented, “I’m feeling really happy today. On the starting grid, I promised myself that when the opportunity came, I would seize it. I fought hard throughout the race and gave it my all, so I’m truly grateful to have secured the win. A huge thank you to my team and family for their continued support. After the disappointment of not winning in Mandalika, my home race, I’m thrilled to have redeemed myself here in Malaysia. This victory feels even more special because of it.” Aiki Iyoshi finished in second place with a time of 19’36.169s. Muhammad Syarifuddin Azman of the IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team secured third place with a time of 19’36.930s. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1AP250

REDEMPTION FOR HERJUN IN SEPANG Read More »

HERJUN LEADS PRACTICE SESSION

2024, 2024 Round 5, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The Asia Production 250cc category at Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, hosted at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia watched Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM appeared fastest in the Practice Sessions that concluded today. In Practice 1, Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM secured the top spot with the fastest lap time of 2’31:655s. His teammate, Herjun Atna Firdaus placed second with the fastest lap time of 2’32:154s. Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia took third place at 2’33:152s. Practice 2 watched Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM took the top spot with the fastest lap time of 2’25:212s. Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia placed second at 2’25:351s, followed by Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM at 2’26:110s. In Practice 3, Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM clocked fastest lap time of 2’25:217s to claimed the top spot. Behind him was histeammate, Herjun at 2’25:315s followed by Muhammad Irfan Haykal Amidi of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team at 2’25:772s. The combined results from the practice sessions showed Herjun Atna Firdaus emerging as the fastest overall while Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa and Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah trailed behind setting the stage for the battle for pole position in tomorrow’s Qualifying session. Herjun said, I’m pleased with today’s result, but the race isn’t over yet. There’s still tomorrow and Sunday to consider. I’ll stay focused and work closely with the team to analyze the data we’ve gathered. Our goal is to make the most of this information and be fully prepared for the upcoming races.” Fastest Lap Time:Practice Session (Combined)

HERJUN LEADS PRACTICE SESSION Read More »

MOVING UP QUICKLY!

2024, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The riders of the Asia Production 250cc race category is set for yet another round of thrill and this time around, PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit becomes the playground. Md Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia, in search for points, is bucked up for Round 5 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Not bad for a rider who missed one round after injuring himself in Motegi circuit to be standing tall in the second spot overall. Thanks to his excellent achievements this season where he marked four times on the podium including two wins, Faerozi is able to withstand the impact of losing all points and sustaining at the top three positions. The Indonesian rider has a mission and he is not far off from achieving it. He has stood out throughout the year and has progressed exponentially compared to last season. But would Sepang circuit give him the upper-hand? Recapping his achievements at Sepang last season, Faerozi managed to collect only 19 points in total for both races. But again, last year was not exactly his strong season especially with multiple DNFs throughout. He closed the season at the 9th spot overall. This year however, Faerozi came back with a different approach and not only did he start off the season with flying colours but maintained consistency throughout. That is definitely an impressive achievement. Commenting on the race, Faerozi said, “My preparation, my strategy and my focus has been all about making difference this season. I realised that I had to be more not just more consistent but also focused in achieving flying colours. The news regulations that have been implemented has definitely contributed to my success. It has given me a fighting-chance, to fight among the top troop. The Yamaha R3 machine is now able to dominate the circuit grounds better. Apart from that, the team is also well-prepared in ensuring the machine is in an excellent condition. It’s a total package – machine, skills and teamwork. With these factors, we believe that it has given us a great opportunity for an enhanced performance especially in fighting to be on the podium and in being more competitive.” “I still have a lot more to improve especially on my riding techniques. I have upped my physical and riding training. This is the right way to go faster. With regular training, I have better understanding of the machine, tyre management and also managing my body posture while riding. For the coming race in Sepang, the strength is our machine which has a good torque that provides better advantage for low-speed corners such as T1 and T2. The challenge would definitely be the two long straights which would need a better setup up and high RPM, maximum of 12.300. My aim is to be at the podium in each race, get maximum points. I want to be the next Asian Champion in the AP250 race category.”

MOVING UP QUICKLY! Read More »

HAPPY ENDING FOR HOME RACE, FAEROZI

2024, 2024 Round 4, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship took place today at PERTAMINA Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia, Muhammad Faerozi Toreqotullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia celebrated his second podium in home race with victory in Race 2 of the Asia Production 250cc category. The race commenced watched Candra Hermawan of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia making an impressive start, leading the pack with Galang Hendra Pratama of YAMAHA BAF Yamalube Akai Jaya MBKW2 Racing and Irfan Ardiansyah of SCK HONDA Racing Team closely trailing behind. During the race, the lead position changed multiple times between Arai Agaska Dibani Laksana of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia, Faerozi, Galang, Candra, and Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM. On lap 9, while Arai and Kiandra fighting for top spot, Faerozi followed closely behind, patiently waiting for opportunity to overtake P1. On final lap at the final turn watched intense battle between three riders, Faerozi sped all the way to overtake Kiandra and Arai and won the race at 18’00:806s. Faerozi said, “I want to express my gratitude to Allah, my family, and my team. This race was particularly challenging for me, and that’s all I can say. In the previous round, I couldn’t compete due to an injury sustained during qualifying. Despite this setback, I finished in third place in Race 1 and achieved first place in Race 2. Even though my ankle wasn’t fully healed, I remained focused and pushed myself lap after lap. On the final lap, I exceeded my limits and managed to secure the top spot. I’m incredibly grateful for the support I received.” At the second spot was Kiandra who clocked in 18’00:888s. Arai took third place when he logged in at 18’00:994s. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2AP250

HAPPY ENDING FOR HOME RACE, FAEROZI Read More »

REYNALDO SHINE VIA WILD CARD

2024, 2024 Round 4, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship took place today at PERTAMINA Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia, where Reynaldo C. Ratukore of YAMAHA YAMALUBE RRS claimed his win in Race 1 of the Asia Production 250cc category. During the Qualifying session, Muhammad Irfan Haykal of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team claimed the pole position as he clocked the fastest lap time of 1’47:196s, while Candra Hermawan and Muhammad Faerozi of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia took the second and third grid position at 1’47:489s and 1’47:503s respectively. As the race kicked off, Faerozi surged to the front and led the charge, followed by Galang Hendra Pratama of YAMAHA BAF Yamalube Akai Jaya MBKW2 Racing and Irfan at P3. In lap 2, Arai Agaska Dibani Laksana of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia at P2 following closely behind Faerozi and Arai overtook Faerozi in lap 3. Throughout the race, Arai maintained his position at P1 while riders position changed rapidly at P2. As the race entered the final lap, while riders battling for P1, Reynaldo made his way up to P1 and crossed the finishing line at 18’05:640s. In P2 was Arai, who overtook Herjun, but Herjun managed to retake P2 before the duo of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM riders crossed the finish line at 21’35:292s and 21’41:244s, followed by Arai at 21’41:244s to secure third place. Reynaldo said, “I want to thank my team for the amazing machine they provided. From start to finish, I pushed harder lap by lap, becoming more consistent. On the last lap, I had to push even harder because my tires were losing grip. I gave it my all, and in the end, I secured the win. I’m also grateful to everyone who supported me and helped me get the wild card ticket to race here. I hope that next year, I will be able to compete in the full season.” Viet Nam of Honda Racing Vietnam Team took second place at 18’06:292s. Faerozi placed third at 18’07:039s. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1AP250

REYNALDO SHINE VIA WILD CARD Read More »

FAEROZI LEADS DESPITE ONGOING RECOVERY

2024, 2024 Round 4, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The Asia Production 250cc category at Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, hosted at PERTAMINA Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia watched Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia appeared fastest in the Practice Sessions that concluded today. In Practice 1, Arai Agaska Dibani Laksana secured the top spot with the fastest lap time of 1’48:307s. After Arai was Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM at 1’48:307s. Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia took third place at 1’48:383s. Practice 2 watched Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM took the top spot with the fastest lap time of 1’47:584s. His teammate, Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa placed second at 1’47:698s, followed by Muhammad Syarifuddin Azman of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team at 1’47:927s. In Practice 3, Faerozi clocked remarkable lap time of 1’46:906s to claimed the top spot. Behind Faerozi was histeammate, Arai at 1’47:418s followed by Herjun at 1’47:780s. The combined results from the practice sessions showed Faerozi emerging as the fastest overall while Arai and Herjun trailed behind setting the stage for the battle for pole position in tomorrow’s Qualifying session. Faerozi said, “For today’s practice sessions, I focused on adapting to my leg injury from the previous round, as I am still in the recovery phase and not yet fully back to 100% condition. Thankfully, the practice session went smoothly without any issues. Today, I concentrated on fine-tuning the machine and suspension due to recent changes in the machine’s characteristics. We’re currently still working to find the optimal setup. Overall, today’s practice results were promising, and I’ll continue to refine the setup in preparation for tomorrow’s qualifying and race.” Fastest Lap Time:Practice Session (Combined)

FAEROZI LEADS DESPITE ONGOING RECOVERY Read More »

ONLY THE BEST FOR THE COUNTRY

2024, 2024 Round 4, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

The Asia Production 250cc race category of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will once again colour the circuit ground of PERTAMINA Mandalika International Circuit this weekend for its Round 4. Ready to flex their muscles and flaunt their mastery are teammates Md Kiandra Ramadhipa and Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM who are equally charged up to make their country proud. It was a colourful start this season for Herjun who has been in the game for some time now and after making it to the podium five times, he fell short with a “DNF” in round three. His teammate, Kiandra who is a debutante in the race category as a full-season rider, ironically had a less accelerated momentum but with his double-win in Round 3, he rocketed to the top of the chart, toppling his teammate by four points. The question here is, “Who would excel on the Indonesian soil this time around?” Rewinding to last season, the crowd applauded as Herjun went on the fast and fury to conquer the circuit ground. He battled intensely to defeat his teammate with calculated and risky moves before celebrating not only a double-win but also a hat-trick. Ramadhipa on the other hand made his appearance as a wild-card rider but of course, it was rough play and despite the pressure from seasoned riders, he made 7th in Race 1 and jumped two notches up to 5th in Race 2. Evidently, it is tough to place the bets considering the pros and cons of the highly capable riders but one thing’s for sure is that Herjun has his fingers wrapped around the circuit while Ramadhipa is just around the corner, catching up very quickly. Commenting on the race, Herjun said, “The season with the new regulations makes the competition tough and it is not easy for me to be competitive especially with the RPM regulations. Due to the lower RPM, it requires us to use a smaller final ratio compared to last year. The weight of the riders is very important and in comparison to the other riders, I have a heavier body due to my tall body structure. I have also gained weight compared to last season. Besides that, the opponent’s machines especially the Yamaha R3 has a stronger torque when exiting the corners. That makes it challenging for me in catching up with them, more so with my heavier weight. I prepare myself as usual but after the crash in Motegi, it is more of being prepared mentally. The racing conditions are certainly very different for me this season but of course, I always give my best in each race. The goal remains the same though. I aim to be the best and I want to be the champion!” As for Ramadhipa, he said, “The fight in ARRC is tough but I am able to utilise the experience from last year as a wild card rider to make the most of this season. The motivation within me has definitely increased after my win in Motegi and I am more confident now in tackling the opponents, more so for the upcoming Mandalika races. For now, I am ignoring all the pressure so that I can stay focused on my home-ground circuit. My competitors and of course, our fellow Indonesian riders will be strong on the Mandalika ground but my job is to pay attention to my own riding techniques to ensure no mistakes are made. The preparations are as usual. Of course, along with the team, we do both physical and technical preparations to achieve the best results. For the coming round on my home circuit, there are not two ways about it. I want to win and for that to happen, it is 100% all the way.”

ONLY THE BEST FOR THE COUNTRY Read More »

DOUBLE WIN FOR KIANDRA

2024, 2024 Round 3, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Round 3 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship took place today at Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, where Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM celebrated double win after claiming victory in Race 2 of the Asia Production 250cc category. The race commenced watched Kiandra making an impressive start, leading the pack with Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and Warit Thongnoppakun of EEST NJT Racing Team closely trailing behind. On lap 4, Herjun overtook Kiandra and seized the lead, placed Kiandra at P2 followed by Arai Agaska Dibani Laksana of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia. Kiandra reclaimed his position at P1 on lap 5, however, overtook by Arai on lap 6. On lap 9, Kiandra made his way back to P1 and maintained his position before crossing the finishing line to claimed his second win of Round 3 at 21’40:718s. Kiandra said, “I delivered my best performance yet, maintaining composure from start to finish. I want to express my gratitude to my family, team, and fans for their supports and prayers. I hope to carry this momentum forward until the final round in Buriram. Rest assured, I’ll give my all to ensure this becomes a reality.” At the second spot was Ryota Ogiwara from SANWA RACING TEAM who clocked in 21’41:073s. Yuta Date of VICTOR RACING Team took third place when he logged in at 21’41:228s. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2AP250

DOUBLE WIN FOR KIANDRA Read More »