Asia Superbike 1000

Race 2 of Round 3 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in the Asia Superbike 1000cc category showcased high-speed drama. Yuki Kunii of SDG Team HARC―PRO Honda Ph. made an great comeback, clinching the his first win at home ground. As the race started, Sho immediately took the lead. Behind him, Yuki raced fiercely to challenge Sho’s position and overtook the Race 1 winner at P1. Trailed closely behind was Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM followed by Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of TKKR BMW Racing Team and Andi Farid Izdihar of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo at P5. The riders position maintained before Sho crash on lap 7, watched him out of the race. Hafizh took P2 followed by Azlan and Andi. Yuki at P1 picked up his pace lap by lap, leaving Hafizh at P2 5 seconds behind. On last lap, Yuki maintained his pace and made it to the top of the podium at 24’03:081s. Yuki said, “To be honest, I’m overjoyed. It’s my first win and podium, and it meant the world to me. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my team. Yesterday, when the engine broke, it felt like a setback, but they worked tirelessly to fix the bike, never losing faith in me. It’s their support that got us here today. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my team, my family, and all the fans who believed in me. Words can’t express my gratitude, but thank you all immensely!” Second place went to Hafizh who concluded the race at 24’08:208s, while Nakarin finished clocked 24’13:578s to take third spot on the podium. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1ASB1000

Race 1 of Round 3 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in the Asia Superbike 1000cc category showcased high-speed drama and exhilarating moments for fans. Sho Nishimura of TKKR BMW Racing Team emerged victorious, clinching the top spot on the podium. Earlier in the Qualifying session, Yuki Kunii of SDG Team HARC-PRO Honda Ph. secured pole position with a blistering lap time of 1’49:444s. At the second grid position was Sho at 1’49:467s followed by Soichiro Minamimoto of YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team ASIA at 1’49:916s. Sho Stormed into the lead as soon as the race started. Behind him, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo and Yuki raced fiercely to challenge Sho’s position at the front. Unfortunately, on lap 3, a crash occurred due to a collision between Yuki and Nakarin. A red flag came up during the race. After a brief interruption, the race resumed with 9 laps. The battle was thrilling as soon as the race started, While Hafizh leading the race, Sho went on to pressure Hafizh and managed to overtake Hafizh on lap 4. Behind them, Azlan followed closely with Nakarin at P4. On lap 6, Nakarin managed to overtake Azlan at P3, while Sho and Hafizh maintained at P1 and P2 respectively. The intensity inscreased as the gap between top 3 riders became tight. On the final lap, Hafizh overtook Sho but the latter made his way to reclaim the position and sped after the finishing line at 16’44:222s to take victory. Sho stated, “This race was incredibly challenging, particularly due to the hazardous conditions on the second lap of Race 1, where I had to navigate through oil spills. Despite the initial setback and the subsequent red flag, I managed to regain my focus and executed a very good start. I am very happy to clinched the victory. For tomorrow, I’m determined to maintain my focus and strive for another victory in Race 2.” Second place went to Nakarin who concluded the race at 16’44:314s, while Hafizh finished clocked 16’44:803s to take third spot on the podium. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1ASB1000

The Asia Superbike 1000cc has begun at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan as riders gear up for Round 3 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Round 3 saw Yuki Kunii of SDG Team HARC-PRO Honda Ph. stood out on the circuit consequently taking lead in the overall standings. During Practice 1, Yuki emerged fastest, marking at 1’50:814s. Andi Farid Izdihar of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo made the second fastest at 1’51:832s. At the third fastest, it was Sho Nishimura of TKKR BMW Racing Team at 1’51:980s. In Practice 2, Yuki asserted his dominance by clocking fastest lap time of 1’50:143s, securing the top spot once again. Sho Nishimura of TKKR BMW Racing Team and Andi Farid Izdihar of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo round up the top three position at the best lap time of 1’51:002s and 1’51:437s respectively. In Practice 3, Sho clocked the fastest lap time of 1’50:597s watched him made it top of the pack, putting Round 2 winner, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM at second spot at 1’50:72s and Yuki at third with the best time of 1’50:880s. The combined practice results, Yuki emerged as the fastest overall, while Sho and Hafizh took the second and third spots respectively. Yuki said, “I’m happy with my results today. During practice sessions, lap by lap my team made a lot of improvements. But this is just the beginning. I am targeting to win the race tomorrow and get the podium.” Fastest Lap Time:Practice Session (Combined)

The roaring of the Asia Superbike 1000cc has begun at the Zhuhai International Circuit as riders gear up for Round 2 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). Round 1 saw Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM stood out on the circuit consequently taking lead in the overall standings. During Practice 1, Yuki Kunii of SDG Team HARC-PRO Honda Ph. seem to have gained confidence when emerged fastest, marking at 1’42:898s. Andi Farid Izdihar of  Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo  made the second fastest at 1’43:194s. At the third fastest, it was Passawit Thitivararak – Astemo SI Racing with Thai Honda at 1’43:205s. In Practice 2, Md Zaqhwan Zaidi of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo clocked the fastest lap time of 1’42:068s to secure top spot. Andi and Yukii rounded up the top three position at the fastest lap time of 1’43:388s and 1’43:477s respectively. In Practice 3, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM took his time to get adjusted to the pace, made it on top at 1’34:789s while Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of TKKR BMW Racing Team kept up his momentum and took the second place with the fastest lap time of 1’34:889s followed by Andi at 1’34:908s. The fastest lap time recorded by the top three riders in Practice 3 appeared on the top three fastest overall on the combined result. Hafizh said “Alhamdulillah, I am happy that we got the fastest overall today. For dry track, we know it well. But due to wet track condition, we took some time to understand the electronics in order to go faster and smoother. And it has been 11 years since I raced on this track, so overall I am quite satisfied with the result. For tomorrow, I will give my 100% effort regardless of the track condition and strive for the best result we can possibly achieve.” Fastest Lap Time:Practice Session (Combined) Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The Asia Superbike 1000cc race category went on a blistering start despite the minor hiccups of what is known as the season opener jitters. However, taking dominance and setting his target straight was Andi Farid Izdihar of Honda-Asia Dream Racing with Astemo who made quite an impression with a double-podium at Chang circuit. What would it be like for him in Round 2 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at Zhuhai Internation Circuit this weekend? Well, it seems like Zhuhai circuit will not be a major problem for the Indonesia rider who took the fourth place in both races last season considering being only a debutante in the race category back then or will it? For someone fresh in the game, he had quite the appetite for a bigger chunk of pie and he pulled out all the stops to reward himself with the second runner-up position at the end of the season. Andi Farid reigned champion of the SuperSports 600cc race category in Season 2022 and is definitely playing his cards right this season in the ASB1000 with eyes on the prize. Running for a second term, it is not just about learning and managing the machine but it also includes integrating strategies and aiming for an outcome worthy of applause. Andi went straight for the kill in Race 2 when he grabbed the opportunity to strike his closest contender and that was an ability that comes with complete focus and anticipation of “what could possibly happen”, a quality that makes good sportsmanship. Andi went on to complete the remaining laps and bagged his first win for the season. Commenting on the race, Andi said, “It was a great start for me this season but to be honest, I struggled quite a bit in Round from the very beginning. It was very difficult to find the right setting of the machine but we kept on trying. Finally, we manged to find the right setup and continued to work on it until I felt really good about it. In Race 1, I did exactly in the way I have targeted which is to push from the very beginning and it worked out really well. Unfortunately, the tyre wore out in the last 4-3 laps which gave Azlan to opportunity to catch up. In Race 2, I changed my strategies to make sure that I save up on the tyres. I followed the troop and waited for the right time to attack and it was a profound finish.” “The machine is a completely different one and it definitely requires time to find the right settings. But once the settings are achieved, the outcome is nothing but positive. The machine is much lighter than the older version. While struggling, we have also been analysing the previous data from the very beginning and finally found the direction. Zhuhai is not my favourite circuit. Last season was very difficult for me but it is good to get back there and challenge myself further. I have to make the most from the race and be better off than the last time. I can’t wait to be there, frankly.” On a team of three riders, Andi said, “It has been really good to have three riders in the team. We learn a lot together, progressively and we try to help each other improve. We share our thoughts about the machine and also the circuit. Different perspectives are good and important so that we see things from different lenses. When you have a strong teammate, it makes it easier to step up in the game. The entry list for this season is a tough one. Everyone is of high-calibre although each one of us have our own individual strengths and weaknesses. Somehow, that makes it even more interesting and it sparks the will to excel further. The target for me is to be on the podium this time around in Zhuhai. Last season, as I said was a struggle but I am fully motivated and energised to take the leap. So, keeping my fingers crossed!” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

It was a victorious moment for the Indonesian rider when Andi Farid Izdihar of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo nailed the top spot of the podium for the Asia Superbike 1000cc of Race 2 in Round 1 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The scene started with Nakarin Atiratphuvapat from Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo leading the pack, closely pursued by JDT RACING TEAM rider, Hafizh Syahrin, Andi, and Yuki Kunii of SDG Team HARC-PRO Honda Ph. As the laps unfolded, Hafizh surged to the front, with Yuki and Andi close behind. However, Hafizh maintained his lead through the early stages of the race. Despite the fierce competition, Hafizh continued to dominate the race, maintaining his position at the front. However from behind, Andi closed the gap and eventually overtook Hafizh on the ninth lap. With Andi then leading, Hafizh fought fiercely to reclaim his position, but Andi thwarted his attempts. Although followed closely by Hafizh and Nakarin, Andi maintained his lead, crossing the finish line in first place at 20’49:192s. Andi commented, “It was a challenging race, I tried to go to the front spot at the beginning but I was struggling with the front tyre so I decided to wait for the right moment and then try my best to get to the top spot. Also, this win is for yesterday’s fault, and I couldn’t sleep well last night. And not forgetting to thank my team for all the hard work, this is for them.” At second place, it was Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM marking his best at 20’49:963s. Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo made it to third place at 20’50:001s. Top 5 Fastest – Race 2 Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

Round 1 of IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship reached new heights with Race 1 in the fiercely contested Asia Superbike 1000cc category at Chang International Circuit. In a stunning display of skill and determination, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of TKKR BMW Racing Team emerged triumphant, thrilling spectators with his remarkable performance on the track. Azlan began fifth on the grid with his fastest lap time at 1’34:978s behind Nakarin Atiratphuvapat and Andi Farid Izdihar of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo who finished in first and second at 1’34:287s and 1’34:603s. Hafizh Syahrin from JDT RACING TEAM took third on the grid at 1’34:733s. As the race started, Nakarin took an early lead, setting a blistering pace at the front of the pack. Behind him, Andi and Yuki closely trailed, eager to challenge the top positions. By the fourth lap, Azlan made a remarkable surge from P7 steadily climbing up the ranks and showcasing his determination to vie for victory. With each lap, Azlan continued his ascent, overtaking competitors and steadily closing in on the leaders. In a breathtaking series of maneuvers, Azlan overtook Nakarin and Yuki to secure P2 by the ninth lap, setting his sights on leader Andi. With relentless determination, Azlan closed the gap, eventually overtaking Andi in the last corner of the race and crossing the finish line in first place with the total time of 20’50:147s. Azlan expressed, “I pushed too hard initially and lost a few positions, but I managed to regroup and maintain my pace while controlling the tire wear. In the end, I was able to pass Andi in the last corner, and I am overjoyed with the result. Thanks to the team, the bike performed exceptionally well today, despite being last year’s model and engine.” Top 5 Fastest – Race 1  Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The Chang International Circuit reverberated with the thunderous roar of engines as the Asia Superbike  1000cc category kicked off with Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The  practice sessions provided a thrilling preview of the intense battles to come, with Markus Reiterberger  from TKKR BMW Racing Team back to top the Practice Session.  In Practice 1, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of TKKR BMW Racing Team set the pace with an impressive  lap time of 1:35.421s, closely followed by his teammate Markus at 1:35.560s and Nakarin  Atiratphuvapat from Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo showcased his speed when he clocked in  at 1:35.601s, rounding out the top three.  Practice 2 saw Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman maintain his dominance with the fastest lap time at  1:35.443s, while Yuki Kunii from SDG Team HARC-PRO Honda Ph. demonstrated his prowess with a  strong performance at 1:35.487s. Meanwhile, Markus secured the third spot at 1:35.589s.  The race intensified in Practice 3 as Markus stormed to the top of the timesheets with the fastest lap  time at 1:35.411s, signaling his intent to defend his overall championship title. Despite facing challenges  with his bike, Markus found the right setup, setting the stage for an exciting Qualifying session tomorrow.  The combined practice results revealed the top contenders in the field starting with Markus of at  1:35.411s followed by Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman at 1:35.421s and Andi Farid Izdihar of Honda Asia Dream Racing with Astemo at 1:35.456s.  Markus said “I have to push harder to be on the top as all the riders are very fast and it will not be an  easy task for sure. Azlan is very strong, not forgetting Andi and other Honda riders, as well as Hafizh  Syahrin who displayed a drastic improvement with his Ducati bike. As for the machine, I am trying out  new engine and some parts, so hopefully will be able to adapt to it in shortest time possible.” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The roar of the Asia Superbike 1000cc is getting louder as riders march their way to a weekend of fast and fury at Chang International Circuit for the season opener of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Blue-eye boy of ONEXOX BMW TKKR Team, Markus Reiterberger was on a roll last season, with multiple back-to-back victories that landed him the champion title with a staggering 250.5 points to his name. Surprisingly though, with so many wins in a season, he unfortunately failed to carve himself a hat-trick but that’s probably not a big deal for the German lad who clearly was more adamant in bagging the golden spot at the grand finale, which he did, rightfully. Round 1 last year at Chang may have been just a navigating phase, trying to figure out the riding patterns however he definitely seemed to have decoded the game from Round 2 onwards as he went on to dominate the circuit grounds with his mastery. Of course, the rivalry between him and his closest contenders never ceased as they went on to provoke his aptitude but Markus was never off his A-game and despite the nagging threat that trailed him, he succeeded with flying colours. Commenting on his achievements, Markus said, “For this season, it is all about defending my title. I hope that it would be possible although there are many clashes this season. But ARRC is working to make one less clash so that we are able to attend minimum five races. That would give us a better opportunity to fight for the championship. The challenge for me would be the entry list especially with Hafizh Syahrin with Ducati. The others, more or less we know their performance but we can’t take anything for granted as we have many improvements to be done. The circuits are all good and I know and understand all of it now compared to last season. So, that gives me greater confidence. Nothing has changed in terms of the machine so far because we have a really good pace with the machine for now. We won many races so, it must be good. For sure, Round 1 last season was tough and I struggled a bit with the tires. So, that was the lesson learnt. We did some test back on the rear and we already had a good experience last season, so it should have been sorted out. My expectations are to win both races but I know it is not going to be easy because of the new contenders, the weather condition and the new season itself. Some things have also changed in terms of manpower as we made a very short and quick decision about our participation due to the clashes. So, we shall see. I work a lot in the workshop, that has helped me sharpen my skills and I have also tested for world endurance so I know the technicalities of it and I think I am fully prepared for the weekend.” Duo of Honda Asia-Dream Racing Team ASEAN, Md Zaqhwan Zaidi and Andi Farid Izdihar on the other hand watched Markus like a hawk throughout the season, waiting to strike however their best then was only to guard their own positions and induce challenge at each other. Of course, Zaqhwan had the upper-hand considering his time in the ASB1000 race category coupled with his remarkable sportsmanship aboard the Honda CBR1000RR R however for a debutante, Andi Farid was up to the mark and more than just learning the tricks and trades, he went on his way in setting a benchmark for the team. With two strikingly imposing characters to keep the heat on among the rivals, the ABS1000 race category is bound to get feisty this season. Adding on the line-up of the team is Nakarin Atiratphuvapat who graduated from SS600 after making it third overall. What’s the team going to be like this season for the trio? Zaqhwan said, “Last year was not so much about my mistakes but the fact that I could not compete in speed. I was frustrated because I failed to reach my target with the machine. I know that I could have done better but I think we need to try and solve the issue and improve the level of performance. We are still waiting for the pre-season test in March. As I know, there will be a new machine which could potentially be better than last season. But of course, it would take some time to learn and adapt to the new settings. Definitely, there will be changes to the electronics and the performance. Having said tha, at the end of the day, it is all about maximising speed. As for the teamwork, Andi and I go a long way. We understand each other and communicate on matters to help each other out. We also worked together in the 8-hour endurance challenge and have fostered a kind of trust towards each other. This season would be a little different with Chip Nakarin but I believe it’s a great move for the team. We are excited to work together. My advantage on Chang circuit would be familiarity. Apart from it being my fav, it is also one that I am used to. I understand its layout well. However, I believe it’s the same for many other riders too. So, while it motivates me to a certain extent, I know that I also have to be prepared for challenge for the others. At the moment, I am fully focused on improving my stamina and building my physique. Keeping my fingers crossed that it would be a great start for the season!” Andi commented, “Being on a competitive stride is inevitable and of course, riding is a never-ending game of learning and perfecting the strikes. This would be my second year in the ASB1000 but my will is strong and all I want to do is to make it better than last season. It was