Asia Superbike 1000

Never a dull moment in the Asia Superbike 1000cc race category as riders work their robust moves and mark their territories in their attempt towards being a champion. Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo is all prepped to make the most of his presence in Round 5 of the Idemistu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship which will be held at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. The Thai rider who made his entry into the ASB1000 race category this season after finishing second runner up in the SS600cc race category has been making waves with his ability to adapt quickly to the demands of the high-powered machine and the technical skills required. Moving into a new race category is often a tough ride for most riders however, for Nakarin, it was all about adopting his past experiences and putting it into work immediately. Nakarin has in the last four rounds finished podium thrice, placing him at the third spot overall to-date with a total of 92 points. Nakarin’s achievements have been consistent in the last few years. In Season 2022, he bagged the third spot overall with a total of 137 points in the SS600 race category. In season 2023, the rider went on to pick up the rhythm in the race category and enhanced his performance to complete the race with a total of 182 points. He made third overall after finishing podium 6 times including two wins. It is proven that making a name in the game is not just about experience and technical capacities but also discipline and attitude. “I think attitude is really important. With the right attitude, comes the will to learn faster and do better. Without the right attitude, I would not even have the chance to gain the valuable experience. In terms of the machine, I enjoy riding the CBR1000RR R 2024 model despite the challenges in finding the right setting. I had the golden opportunity of joining the MSBK this season and competing with riders from several nations. This has also given me the added advantage in terms of preparing for the coming round. Apart from that, I also joined the marathon and cycling events around my hometown in Khon Khaen to build up my physique and stamina.” “Sepang is a long-distance circuit, also considered a high-speed circuit ground. I need to adjust my braking timing and also improve speed on the straight. The machine handling which is good adds on to the advantage at the corners. It also complements my riding style in a nice and smooth manner. Despite that, I am still finding ways to improve my speed with the electric accelerator. The goal is of course to finish podium in the remaining races and if possible, to be the champion for this season.”

One word says it all. Emotional. This single word perfectly captures how Soichiro Minamimoto felt during Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit. Soichiro crashed twice during the qualifying session, which required him to switch to a new bike and start from scratch with the settings. Despite these challenges, his struggles proved worthwhile as he ultimately claimed victory in Race 2. Soichiro shared, “It was incredibly emotional for me to realize that, despite my crash on Saturday, I was able to secure a win thanks to my amazing team. Experiencing two crashes during qualifying was quite disheartening, but the team never lost hope. They worked tirelessly to repair my bike, allowing me to stay focused on achieving a strong result. I felt like our late friend Haruki Noguchi was watching over us, so I made sure to share the news of our victory with him.” “Honestly, when I saw the destroyed bike, I was on the verge of giving up. However, the team’s relentless effort to get it back in shape gave me the motivation I needed to push forward,” said Soichiro. Victory in Race 2 marked Soichiro’s first win and podium in his debut appearance in the ASB1000 category, making this achievement even more special. “It felt like I had finally achieved something significant. Yamaha has been struggling in the ASB1000 category, so this is the most fulfilling win I’ve ever experienced. Securing a win in this category is crucial for both my career and our team’s future. It provides a significant boost that will positively impact our performance in upcoming races.” Reflecting on his previous season, where he claimed the overall championship after winning Race 1 and securing P2 in Race 2 in the SS600 category while feeling unwell, Soichiro finds that his current situation affirms his earlier statement, “I race better when I’m sick.” He said, “I think this statement is becoming more valid now because I experienced the same symptoms as I did during the final race last year, though I’m not entirely sure why.” Looking ahead to Round 5 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Soichiro shared, “Sepang Circuit is a difficult track, and I’m not particularly strong there. I expect it to be a tough race, but I will do my best and aim for the podium.”

In the blink of an eye, we find ourselves approaching the penultimate round of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. With that in mind, we can only expect the intensity to rise as riders vie for crucial points to climb the championship rankings. Nakarin Athiraphuvapat of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo appears to be one step ahead of his rivals in the ASB1000 category. Nakarin’s participation in the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, provides him with a significant advantage for the upcoming Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, also held on the same track. His victories in both Race 1 and Race 2 during the MSBK further enhanced his edge. Nakarin shared, “Winning at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit gave me valuable insights into the track and how to effectively overtake and position myself against opponents. This experience will definitely benefit me in the upcoming ARRC Round 5.” Reflecting on his debut season in the ASB1000 category, Nakarin said, “As the season progressed, I gained a deeper understanding of the bike and the dynamics of the battles in this class. This experience has opened up more strategies for me to aim for victory.” Currently ranked in the top three of the overall standings, Nakarin expressed, “It’s beyond what I had initially expected for my first year. I’m thrilled to be in the top three and am focused on maintaining this position, as that’s my primary goal. To me, anything is possible. I’ll give it my all to move ahead and challenge for the top two spots as well.” Additionally, Nakarin has taken valuable lessons from Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia. “At Mandalika, I was perhaps too reckless with overtaking, which cost me valuable points. I’ve learned the importance of staying calm and measured. The key takeaway is to stick to my plan and avoid mistakes.” “I’m focusing on self-reflection and meditation to clear my mind. I’m also training rigorously on the bike and at the gym to ensure I’m in peak condition for Round 5,” Nakarin added. Regarding the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Nakarin said, “PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit is a challenging track, particularly due to its weather conditions. I’d rate the difficulty of this circuit as an eight out of ten. The remaining two points depend on how the race unfolds.” Nakarin admitted that one major challenge he faces before the race is managing pre-race nerves, which can impact his performance. “One challenge is managing pre-race nerves, which sometimes disrupts my sleep. I’m working on not overthinking and instead focusing on enjoying the ride.”