Throughout Race 2, Hafizh steadily built an advantage over his rivals before crossing the finish line in 27’29.019s. Behind him, a fierce battle unfolded for the remaining podium positions, with Japan’s Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES edging Thailand’s Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND by just 0.044s to secure second place.

Starting from the front, Hafizh immediately established himself at the head of the field, leading Nakarin, Keito, and Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA through the opening laps. While Hafizh initially came under pressure from the chasing pack, he quickly demonstrated the pace that has made him the benchmark rider this season.

By Lap 2, Hafizh had already set the fastest lap of the race at 1’55.376s while reaching a top speed of 282.72kph. A lap later, he lowered the benchmark dramatically with a stunning 1’49.359s effort. Meanwhile, Zaqhwan crashed while running in fourth position. Although he managed to rejoin the race, the incident dropped him to the back of the field.

The focus then shifted to an intense fight behind the leader. Keito and Nakarin exchanged positions several times, with the Japanese rider eventually moving into second place on Lap 6. The Thai rider remained glued to Keito’s rear wheel, ensuring the battle remained alive throughout the race.

Meanwhile, Hafizh simply disappeared into the distance. Consistently lapping in the 1’49s range, he extended his advantage from 1.515s on Lap 5 to more than five seconds by the closing stages. On Lap 8, he set the fastest lap of the race at 1’48.980s, underlining his complete control of the contest.

Further behind, Shota Ite of AKENO SPEED.UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJUMOTOR ASIA TEAM and Kohta Arakawa of Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing joined the battle for the top five, while JDT RACING TEAM’s Andi Farid Izdihar charged through the field to secure sixth position.

With Hafizh comfortably clear entering the final lap, attention turned to the fight for second. Keito successfully resisted Nakarin’s relentless pressure to secure his best result of the weekend, while Nakarin completed the podium at 27’34.042s.

Hafizh said, “Alhamdulillah, six wins in a row. There is not much more I could ask for from the championship so far. We knew we had the pace this morning, but the important thing was to stay calm and not do anything silly because once you lose confidence, you can lose time very easily. At the start of the race, I knew I had the pace and the opportunity to make my move, so I focused on braking a little later and securing my position. From there, I just concentrated on maintaining my rhythm, and the pace kept getting better and better. Surprisingly, we were able to produce qualifying-level lap times consistently throughout the race. I challenged myself compared to yesterday because I wasn’t completely satisfied with my pace in Race 1. Today, I understood the rear tyre better, understood the bike better, and it allowed me to maintain a strong and consistent pace. Thank you to the team, my crew chief and all the crew who have worked incredibly hard since the beginning of the season. I would also like to thank HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail for believing in me, my family, and all our sponsors who have supported this journey. This victory is for all of you.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2
1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (27’29.019s)
2. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (27’33.998s)
3. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (27’34.042s)
4. SHOTA ITE – AKENO SPEED.UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJUMOTOR ASIA TEAM (27’34.613s)
5. KOHTA ARAKAWA – Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing (27’37.277s)

The race initially looked set to become a fierce battle among the championship contenders. Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND launched brilliantly from the start to seize the early advantage before Hafizh quickly fought his way to the front. Moments later, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA stormed past both riders to briefly lead the race.

However, Hafizh soon regained control and began to showcase the pace that had earned him pole position. By Lap 3, Hafizh posted a fastest lap of 1’50.249s and steadily stretched his advantage over the chasing pack. Behind him, Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES remained within striking distance, while Nakarin held firm in third.

The complexion of the race changed on Lap 4 when Zaqhwan was forced to serve a Long Lap Penalty, dropping from second to seventh. The setback opened the door for Keito to move into second position and promoted Nakarin onto the provisional podium.

From there, Hafizh continued to lower the benchmark, setting consecutive fastest laps of 1’49.746s, 1’49.500s, 1’49.345s and eventually a race-best 1’49.297s on Lap 11. With every lap, the gap grew larger as the Hafizh carved out a commanding lead at the front.

While Hafizh disappeared into the distance, the battle for the final podium position intensified. Home favourite Shota Ite of AKENO SPEED.UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJUMOTOR ASIA TEAM steadily worked his way through the field, first overtaking Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA before setting his sights on Nakarin. Shota finally made his move on Lap 11, snatching third place and immediately attempting to break away.

Nakarin refused to surrender, shadowing Shota throughout the closing laps and mounting several attacks. However, Shota remained composed under immense pressure, defending brilliantly to secure a memorable podium finish in front of his home supporters.

At the chequered flag, Hafizh sealed victory in 27’33.273s, extending his winning streak to five races. Keito completed a strong run in second at 27’37.740, while Shota successfully denied Nakarin in the fight for third at 27’41.302s. JDT RACING TEAM’s Andi Farid Izdihar completed the top five.

Hafizh said, “As the races went on, we understood more and more about how to ride the bike. Honestly, we hardly changed anything from our Buriram setup when we arrived in Motegi. We only made small adjustments for fuel consumption because we’re using a different fuel specification here, and everything worked very well. At the start of the race there was a little drizzle, but I believed it would pass quickly. My focus was to get to the front as soon as possible because I knew I had the pace to pull away. Once I found my rhythm, I was able to consistently lap only around two-tenths slower than my qualifying pace. I could have pushed even harder, but we have another race tomorrow and it’s important to stay smart. We’ll continue studying the data tonight because there’s always room for improvement. This victory belongs to the entire team and especially to my boss, HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail, for giving me this incredible opportunity. I want to repay that trust with results. This month is also special with Father’s Day approaching, so I dedicate this victory to my father and my family, who have always stood by me through every high and low in my career. Thank you to everyone who supports this team and has been part of this journey. This win is for all of you.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1
1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (27’33.273s)
2. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (27’37.740s)
3. SHOTA ITE – AKENO SPEED.UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJUMOTOR ASIA TEAM (27’41.302s)
4. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (27’41.632s)
5. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – JDT RACING TEAM (27’44.207s)

Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM emerged as the rider to beat, setting a blistering best lap of 1’49.752s in Practice 1 that remained unbeaten throughout the day. The Malaysian’s benchmark lap secured top spot in the combined standings and sent a clear message to his rivals ahead of qualifying.

However, the battle at the front is far from settled. Home favourite Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES delivered a stunning late charge in Practice 3, clocking a 1’50.021s to finish second overall, just 0.269s behind Hafizh. Racing on familiar territory, Abe’s pace ensured the Japanese fans had plenty to cheer about and positioned him as a serious contender for pole position.

The fight for supremacy intensified further with HONDA RACING THAILAND’s Nakarin Atiratphuvapat ending the day third overall. Nakarin was the only rider to top Practice 2 and consistently featured among the frontrunners throughout all three sessions, underlining both his race-winning potential.

Adding further intrigue was local wildcard Shota Ite of AKENO SPEED.UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJUMOTOR ASIA TEAM. The Japanese rider impressed from the opening session, finishing third in Practice 1 before maintaining his challenge throughout the day. His combined best of 1’50.166s placed him fourth overall, just 0.414s adrift of Hafizh and firmly in contention for a front-row start.

Completing the top five was another Japanese star, Kohta Arakawa of Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing. Arakawa demonstrated remarkable consistency across all three sessions and remained within striking distance of the leading quartet, highlighting the strength of the local challenge at Motegi.

The day’s fastest speed belonged to Hafizh, who reached an astonishing 286.472kph in Practice 3, emphasizing the incredible performance levels being achieved around the iconic Japanese circuit.

Hafizh shared,“Syukur Alhamdulillah, we finished the day as the fastest overall, which is a very encouraging start to the weekend. The conditions in the morning were almost perfect, and we were able to set a very competitive lap time. In the afternoon, heavy rain arrived, so I only completed a few laps to better understand the bike’s behaviour in wet conditions. The positive thing is that we now have a solid wet setup and a clearer understanding of the areas that still need improvement. Later in the session, as the track began to dry, there were still some damp patches in several corners, so I focused on maintaining my rhythm and gathering as much information as possible. Unfortunately, we experienced a small electronics issue, which forced us to stop briefly. We managed to get back out on track and improve our lap time, but the same issue appeared again. The team is working hard to identify the cause, and hopefully we can resolve it before tomorrow. Overall, I am happy with our pace, and I hope we can have a smooth Qualifying session and prepare ourselves well for both Race 1 and Race 2.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE
1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (1’49.752s)
2. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (1’50.021s)
3. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (1’50.100s)
4. SHOTA ITE – AKENO SPEED.UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJUMOTOR ASIA TEAM (1’50.166s)
5. KOHTA ARAKAWA – Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing (1’50.289s)

For Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, that moment arrived in the most decisive moment of the race at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand. But it ended in heartbreak rather than celebration.

Competing in the ASB1000 category, Zaqhwan delivered a strong opening to Round 2 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 with a solid P4 finish in Race 1, showing competitive pace and consistency within the leading group.

However, Race 2 unfolded into a far more intense battle, with Zaqhwan firmly in podium contention right until the final lap. Entering the last corner in fourth position and still chasing P3, he made a decisive move in pursuit of a podium finish. But the attack went beyond the limit of grip, ending in a crash that resulted in a DNF, just moments away from what could have been a podium result.

Reflecting on the incident, Zaqhwan admitted it was a fine margin between reward and disappointment.

“I was battling for P3 with Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND into the last corner. On the braking point, I braked at my usual marker, maybe slightly deeper than normal, but suddenly the bike started chattering and became unstable. I tried to run a wider line, but I overslid and crashed. It happened so fast, and honestly in that moment I already knew I had pushed just a bit too far,” he explained.

Despite the outcome, the Malaysian rider stood firmly by his attacking approach.

“Of course I want to win. I don’t care what position it is, when I see an opportunity, I will go for it. That is racing, and I think any rider would do the same. We all push for the best result. I always try to give everything until the very end of the race,” he said.

Looking back, Zaqhwan acknowledged the harsh reality of top-level racing.

“Racing is always a high-risk sport. I could have taken the safer option and settled for P4 to bring home the points, but that would not reflect who I am as a rider. When you are fighting for the podium, these are the margins you deal with. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. In that moment, it didn’t work for me,” he added.

Even in disappointment, he remained encouraged by his overall competitiveness throughout the weekend.

“Yes, I take confidence from the fact that we were fighting at the front throughout the race and running competitive lap times with the leading group. That shows we have the pace to be there. Now it’s about putting everything together for the next round,” he said.

Inside the IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA garage, the reaction mirrored his own frustration.

“Of course, nobody in the team is happy — they feel the same disappointment as I do. We all came here with a target to fight for a podium, so missing out on that is tough for everyone. But at the same time, we know we gave everything throughout the weekend and pushed as hard as we could. In the end, I did my best to achieve the target, and that is all we can take forward,” Zaqhwan concluded.

For many riders, the jump into the ASB1000 category means competing against some of Asia’s fastest and most experienced riders who have spent years honing their craft at the highest level.

For Mohd Fahmi Abdul Wahaf of FGRT PROJECT ONE, the challenge is even greater.

Just a few years ago, Fahmi was not racing at all.

Today, he lines up on the same grid as Asia’s elite in the ASB1000 category, a remarkable rise for someone who only began his racing journey in 2022.

But the transition to continental-level racing has not been easy. After building his foundation in the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship in MSBK1000 A category, Fahmi earned the opportunity to take the next step into Asia’s premier racing championship.

Yet, entering the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship quickly exposed him to the reality of competing at the highest level.

“After competing in the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship for the past two years, I became more familiar with the racing environment and level of competition there. However, stepping into the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship was a completely different experience because the level of competition is extremely high, with many top professional riders from across Asia competing at the highest standard.”

For a rider still relatively new to racing, adapting to ARRC’s pace, pressure, and competitiveness has been one of the steepest learning curves of his career.

“The biggest challenge for me was adapting to that level of intensity and pressure, especially during my first season in the championship,” he admitted.

Currently still finding his footing in the standings, Fahmi views every race weekend not through the lens of immediate results, but as part of a long-term journey of growth. Behind every session lies another opportunity to learn.

“ARRC has taught me a lot about discipline, race mentality, and consistency. At this level, every small detail matters, from physical preparation and bike setup to mental focus throughout the race weekend.”

Unlike national racing, where familiarity becomes an advantage, ARRC constantly forces riders to adapt, with different circuits, changing weather conditions, and unfamiliar rivals.

For Fahmi, learning to adjust quickly has become essential.

“Racing on different circuits across Asia has given me valuable experience. The opportunity to interact and learn from experienced professional riders has helped me gain more knowledge, confidence, and understanding of racing at a much higher level.”

Despite the challenges and difficult moments that naturally come with competing in Asia’s toughest racing arena, Fahmi remains focused on progress rather than pressure. Because for him, the journey itself is already proof of how far he has come.

From attending his first-ever track day in July 2022 to lining up in the ASB1000 category just a few years later, the learning curve may be steep, but the ambition remains strong.

And while the standings may not yet reflect the rider he hopes to become, Fahmi believes every lap, every challenge, and every setback is helping shape the rider he is striving to become.

For now, Fahmi keeps his mission simple: keep learning, keep adapting, and keep moving forward.

Because in Asia’s toughest racing arena, growth is sometimes the biggest victory of all.

At the start, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA made a strong launch to take the lead, followed closely by teammate Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Hafizh in third. Home rider Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND settled into fourth, while Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES completed the top five.

By Lap 2, Hafizh had moved into the lead after overtaking Zaqhwan, while Azroy remained in close contention in third. Behind them, Keito and Nakarin continued to stay within striking distance as the front group remained tightly packed.

Hafizh continued to increase the pace, setting the fastest lap time of 1’35.788s on Lap 4 while defending several overtaking attempts from Zaqhwan. The battle behind also intensified as Keito briefly moved ahead of Azroy for third, though the Malaysian quickly reclaimed the position.

On Lap 5, Azroy responded with a fastest lap of 1’35.673s and a top speed of 299.2km/h as the leading trio began to separate themselves from the chasing riders. A lap later, Azroy overtook Zaqhwan to move into second and immediately began chasing Hafizh at the front.

However, the race took a turn on Lap 8 when Azroy crashed at Turn 8 while pushing hard to close the gap to Hafizh. The incident promoted Zaqhwan back into second, with Keito moving up to third and Nakarin into fourth.

Despite being chased by Honda riders for much of the race, Hafizh remained calm and steadily built his advantage. By Lap 10, the JDT RACING TEAM rider had extended his lead to 3.017s, maintaining strong pace with a top speed of 295.9km/h.

The fight for the podium intensified in the closing laps as Keito overtook Zaqhwan for second on Lap 11. On the final lap, Nakarin also moved ahead of Zaqhwan, while the Malaysian rider crashed at the final corner during an overtaking attempt.

Unchallenged at the front, Hafizh crossed the finish line to claim victory in 24’01.995s. Keito secured second place in 24’04.743s, while Nakarin completed the podium on home soil in 24’05.477s.

Hafizh shared, “I made a good start and entered the first corner in third position. I almost hit Azroy Hakeem Anuar because he braked a bit early at Turn 3, but thankfully I managed to avoid an accident.

During the middle of the race, I struggled a little as the bike felt different, possibly due to the changing conditions from hot to cooler temperatures. I tried to understand the situation, stay calm, and control my pace.

Luckily, toward the end of the race, I managed to set the fastest lap and create a good gap, which helped me control the race until the finish. Achieving four wins in a row feels really special, and this victory is for my team, my boss, HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail, and everyone who has supported me. I also want to wish good luck to Johor Jewel in their finals tonight, and JDT football team. Seeing others from the same camp succeed gives me extra motivation to keep pushing and finish the season strongly.

As I always say, hard work pays off. I trained hard in the heat, spent many hours cycling, and pushed myself to prepare for moments like this. Now, I just want to enjoy this moment, prepare mentally for the next race, and continue working hard. Thank you to all the Malaysian fans, this victory is for you.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2
1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (24’01.995s)
2. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (24’04.743s)
3. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (24’05.477s)
4. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (24’10.150s)
5. LACHLAN EPIS – SWIFT GROW RACING TEAM (24’12.771s)

Starting from fifth on the grid, Hafizh found himself chasing a relentless leading pack early on as pole-sitter Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA launched perfectly off the line to seize the holeshot. Teammate Azroy Hakeem Anuar slotted into second, while local hope Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND briefly held third ahead of Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES. Hafizh and teammate Andi Farid Izdihar remained close behind, waiting for the right moment to strike.

By Lap 2, the race pace intensified as Zaqhwan and Azroy attempted to establish control, but Keito soon inserted himself into the fight. Hafizh, meanwhile, remained composed in the blistering Buriram heat, carefully managing his pace and tyres while staying within touching distance of the leaders.

Drama unfolded on Lap 4 when Keito overtook Azroy for second before capitalising on a mistake from Zaqhwan at the final corner to briefly inherit the race lead. From there, the race evolved into a breathtaking contest as positions changed repeatedly among the front-runners.

The defining moment came on Lap 8, with clinical precision, Hafizh carved his way through the leading group, executing a stunning move to overtake both Keito and Zaqhwan in a single sequence to move into second place. Just one lap later, the defending champion completed his charge, sweeping past Azroy to take over at the front.

Once clear, Hafizh began to stretch his advantage while chaos continued behind him. By Lap 11, Hafizh had opened a gap of more than one second, showcasing the experience and race management that made him last season’s champion.

After 14 laps of relentless pressure and tactical racing, Hafizh crossed the finish line in 24’06.445s to secure a memorable victory and extend his remarkable run to three consecutive podium finishes.

Behind him, Azroy held off fierce late pressure to finish second at 24’09.071s, while Keito secured a hard-earned third place at 24’09.321s. The battle for the podium remained alive until the final corner as Andi launched a brave attack on Azroy, only to run wide and ultimately settle for fifth behind Zaqhwan.

Hafizh expressed, “I really appreciate everyone around me who pushed me hard during training and preparation. The heat training helped a lot in today’s tough conditions. Earlier, during the long run, I almost crashed at the second-last corner, but thankfully I managed to save it and came back stronger with a faster lap. During the race, I focused on keeping my rhythm and staying patient. Honestly, my target was not the podium. I was aiming for a top-four finish. But when I saw the riders in front battling and unable to pull away, I knew I had a chance, so I started making my moves and thankfully, we did it again, three wins in a row. It feels really special. This result is for all my fans, my boss, HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail, and my family, who have always supported me and been my backbone. Alhamdulillah, all the hard work has paid off.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1
1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (24’06.445s)
2. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (24’09.071s)
3. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (24’09.321s)
4. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (24’09.723s)
5. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – JDT RACING TEAM (24’09.814s)

After three intense practice sessions and countless lead changes on the timesheets, it was Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM who emerged on top, delivering a stunning late charge in Practice 3 to secure the fastest combined time of 1’35.742s.

The Malaysian ace had steadily built momentum throughout the day before unleashing his strongest performance in the final session, finally breaking into the 1’35s barrier to take control of a fiercely contested field. Hafizh’s pace not only underlined his growing confidence aboard the superbike machinery, but also firmly established him as one of the riders to beat heading into qualifying and the races.

However, the fight at the front remains incredibly tight. SAVITAR TEAM ASIA rider Rocco Sessler produced one of the standout performances of the day by storming into second overall with a brilliant 1’35.888s effort in Practice 3. The young rider continued to impress with his consistency and composure, ending the day just 0.146s behind Hafizh in what quickly became a thrilling battle for supremacy.

IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA also demonstrated formidable pace throughout all three sessions. Azroy Hakeem Anuar climbed to third overall after clocking 1’35.997s in Practice 3, while teammate Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi, who had topped both Practice 1 and Practice 2 earlier in the day, eventually settled for fourth overall with a best time of 1’36.005s.

Zaqhwan had initially set the benchmark in Practice 1 with a rapid 1’36.530s before improving further to 1’36.005s in Practice 2, consistently showcasing strong race pace and remarkable straight-line speed. Meanwhile, Azroy grabbed attention after recording the highest top speed of the day at a staggering 294.30km/h during Practice 3, highlighting the sheer intensity of the ASB1000 battle around the long straights.

Completing the top five overall was Indonesia’s Andi Farid Izdihar of JDT RACING TEAM, who remained a constant threat throughout the day and finished with a best lap of 1’36.165s from Practice 2. The Indonesian rider consistently hovered near the top of the standings and added further depth to an already stacked front-running group.

Earlier in the day, local hopes were lifted by Thailand’s Nakarin Atiratphuvapat, who briefly featured inside the top five in Practice 1 for HONDA RACING THAILAND, while Japan’s Keito Abe also impressed in Practice 2 by placing fourth for SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES.

Hafizh stated, “Alhamdulillah, we completed Day 1 with a really positive feeling overall. We had a strong start from FP1 until FP3 and managed to work well through our programme together as a team. I had a small crash in FP1 while trying to understand the limit and push a bit harder. Sometimes these things happen in racing, but thankfully everything was okay and we managed to come back stronger afterwards. In the afternoon, we improved the feeling on the bike and completed two long runs, including one during the hottest part of the day, which was important for us to understand the bike and tyre performance better. So far, everything looks quite under control, but we’ll continue studying the data tonight and look for every area where we can still improve. Big thanks to the whole team because today’s result came from everyone’s hard work together. Hopefully tomorrow we can continue this momentum and make a strong start in qualifying.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE
1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (1’35.742s)
2. ROCCO SESSLER – SAVITAR TEAM ASIA (1’35.888s)
3. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (1’35.997s)
4. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (1’36.005s)
5. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – JDT RACING TEAM (1’36.165s)

Representing HONDA RACING THAILAND, Nakarin arrives on home soil looking to put behind a challenging opening round at Sepang International Circuit, where circumstances beyond his control left him playing catch-up from the outset.

A delayed arrival of machinery meant Nakarin missed crucial official testing time, leaving the team with limited opportunity to fine-tune their setup ahead of the race weekend. The impact was evident, as he managed sixth place in Race 1 before a crash in Race 2 saw him rejoin the race and salvage only three points, ending the round ninth overall.

“Round 1 in Sepang was quite difficult for me. We didn’t get the setup where we wanted it to be, and adapting to the track conditions was not easy. Missing a day of testing also put us one step behind the others from the beginning. Finishing ninth is definitely not the result we were aiming for, but at the same time, we learned a lot. Now it’s about using that data and coming back stronger.”

The return to Buriram, however, offers a very different outlook. It is a circuit where Nakarin has delivered before, including a memorable Race 2 victory in last season’s finale, even though he ultimately fell just three points short of the 2025 championship title.

This time, he is determined to make full use of his home advantage.

“Racing at home is always something special for me. I know this track well, and I’ve had strong results here in the past. The plan is to maximise that advantage, especially in qualifying. If we can start from the front, it gives us a real opportunity to control the race. But at the same time, the level of competition this year is very high, so I won’t underestimate anyone.”

Rather than feeling the weight of expectation, Nakarin views his home round as a chance to reset and prove his true pace.

“I see this more as an opportunity than pressure. Of course, racing in front of home fans comes with expectations, but I try to turn that into motivation. The support here gives me extra energy, and it makes me even more hungry to fight for the win.”

Buriram’s demanding conditions will also play a crucial role across the weekend, with high temperatures and unpredictable weather.

“The weather here is always tough. It’s very hot and physically demanding, and recently there’s been some rain as well. I’ve been focusing a lot on my fitness, adapting to the heat, and making sure I stay well hydrated. Overall, I think we are well prepared to handle whatever conditions come our way.”

With the ASB1000 field proving to be more competitive than ever, Nakarin remains realistic, but quietly confident in his ability to fight back.

“The level this season is very high, and every rider is strong. But I believe we have the potential to be in the front group. The goal is to improve step by step, stay consistent, and fight for podiums in every round.”

After a difficult start, Chang International Circuit now represents more than just another race weekend for Nakarin. It is a chance to turn momentum, reclaim confidence, and remind the field exactly what he is capable of on home ground.

At the start, Hafizh launched brilliantly off the line to seize the early lead, immediately putting himself in control of the race. Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES stayed close in pursuit, while Lachlan Epis of SWIFT GROW RACING TEAM slotted into third ahead of Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND and Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM.

By Lap 3, Hafizh underlined his dominance, clocking the fastest lap of 2’05.621s at a blistering top speed of 288.8 km/h, with Keito just 0.888s behind, pushing hard at 290.3 km/h in pursuit.

The race began to settle into rhythm by Lap 4, with Hafizh leading ahead of Keito, Lachlan, Adenanta, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, and Andi Farid Izdihar of JDT RACING TEAM.

As the laps progressed, Hafizh steadily pulled away from the field. By Lap 8, he had built a commanding 4.792s advantage over Keito, with Lachlan, Zaqhwan, and Andi battling fiercely behind. A lap later, the gap extended further to 5.203s, while Andi made his move past Zaqhwan to climb into fourth.

On Lap 10, Andi continued his charge, overtaking Lachlan and setting his sights on Keito in second, as the JDT RACING TEAM duo began to assert their presence at the front.

By Lap 11, Hafizh’s lead had grown to 6.788s, while Andi closed to just 0.744s behind Keito. The pressure intensified further on Lap 12, with Andi narrowing the gap to just 0.215s, setting up a crucial battle for second place.

The decisive move came on Lap 13, when Andi executed a brilliant overtake on Keito at Turn 9, promoting himself into second and creating a provisional 1-2 for JDT RACING TEAM. Keito dropped to third, with Zaqhwan and Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA rounding out the top five.

On the final lap, Hafizh was untouchable, cruising to victory with a dominant margin of 29’35.664s. Behind him, the fight for second went down to the wire. Despite Andi’s strong defence, Keito launched a last-gasp move on the final straight, snatching second place by just 0.006s, finishing at 29’40.443s, with Andi forced to settle for third at 29’40.449s.

Hafizh said, “The first win was nice, I had to do it twice, and we did it today. I can say it’s a perfect weekend with perfect pace. I stayed focused on my rhythm and didn’t look back. On the last lap, I actually ran out of fuel, but luckily I managed it to the finish. Thank you to my team, VAMOS! Special thanks to TMJ for this journey, and congratulations on the newborn. This victory is for all Malaysians who came to support us, even those who came straight after the football match last night. We delivered again as a team with P1 and P3. I’ve sacrificed a lot, training every day, cycling, gym work, riding… Everything! This double win is what I’ve been chasing since last year, and finally, we’ve done it.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2
1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (29’35.664s)
2. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (29’40.443s)
3. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – JDT RACING TEAM (29’40.449s)
4. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (29’43.402s)
5. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (29’43.523s)