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DECHA AND CHALERMPOL GRAB HOME ADVANTAGE IN FREE PRACTICE

2017, 2017 Round2, Latest News, Supersports 600, Uncategorized /

Yamaha Thailand’s dynamic duo, Decha Kraisart and Chalerpol Polamai, banked an early home advantage on day one of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) Round 2 at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand. Early in Free Practice 1 AP Honda’s Ratthapong Wilairot joined his compatriots at the top of the timing screens, but was pushed down during the second half of the 40 minute session as the Manual Tech Kawasakis of Azlan Shah and Ahmad Yudhistira got into their groove, along with Anthony West, who looked as likely as ever to stir things up on the Akeno Speed Racing Yamaha. 2016 champion, Zaqhwan Zaidi, riding with a painful foot injury after his crash two weeks earlier in Johor, looked out of sorts and was almost two seconds off the pace of the front runners. At the chequered flag, it was Chalermpol who took the honours with a late charge that clocked up a lap of 1:40.341, 0.099 of a second ahead of Yudhistira. Decha, Azlan and West, all under 1:41. With air and track temperatures rising for Free Practice 2, Azlan set the early pace, chased by Decha and Chalermpol. Behind them, Zaqhwan quickly sliced a second off his FP1 time, stopping after six laps to make further adjustments. When he rejoined he took another full second of with his first flying lap and jumped to the top of the board, a full four tenths clear of Azlan. The response from the Thai Yamahas was fast and decisive, with Chalermpol and Decha making the first breaks into the 1:39s. They remained at the top until the end of the session, ahead of Zaqhwan, Azlan and West, with the Yamaha of Yuki Ito and the RAMA Honda of Taiga Hada being the last riders below 1:41. A more business like atmosphere prevailed in Free Practice 3, as riders fined fine tuned their settings. This time it was Decha who finished top with a lap of 1:39.583, the best of the day and 0.117 seconds faster than Chalermpol. Zaqhwan was next with 1:39.937, ahead of the Kawasakis of Azlan and Yudhistira and the Yamaha of West, who maintained his watch in the top six. While Yamaha Thailand will be aiming to build on their advantage in tomorrow morning’s qualifying session, they are sure to be tested to their limits by the Manual Tech Kawasakis and the veteran Australian on the canary yellow Yamaha.

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PRESS RELEASE: ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM AIM TO CONTINUE GOOD DYNAMIC IN THAILAND

2017, 2017 Round2, Asia Production 250, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Gerry Salim arrives at the Chang International Circuit as the leader of the Asia Production 250cc class, after making history in Johor. In the SuperSports 600cc category, Irfan Ardiansyah will look to continue his progress after achieving his first podium in the inaugural race. After a fantastic start to the campaign in Malaysia, the Astra Honda Racing Team (AHRT) travels to Thailand this weekend for the second round of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). In an historic inaugural event of the season, Gerry claimed the first victories for an Indonesian rider in the AP250 class, whilst Irfan made his podium debut in SS600. Now the team faces a new challenge at the Chang International Circuit, with the ambition of maintaining the positive momentum and fighting for the top positions in both classes. Gerry and Irfan have previous experience in Thailand thanks to their time in both the Asia Talent Cup (ATC) and the ARRC itself. Gerry took two podium finishes -2nd in 2016 and 3rd in 2015- in the ATC, and last season he finished 6th in both races at Chang in the ARRC. Irfan’s best placing is 8th in the ATC (in both 2016 and 2017), although this round will be his debut there in the SS600 class. Rheza Danica and Awhin Sanjaya will start from scratch at the Thai track, focusing on adapting as quickly as possible to a new circuit onboard their Honda CBR250RR bikes. Last year, the team’s best result in Thailand was that of Dimas Ekky, who placed fifth in the sixth round of the season. This year’s visit to the Chang International Circuit will be held on April 14-15th, with two races held on Friday and Saturday.     QUOTES “I’m very excited about this second round of the ARRC in Thailand. Having two victories in the opening round and also good experience from the ATC’s round in Thailand gives me confidence to fight against the local riders. They are tough and have further experience riding in the Chang Circuit. In addition, the support from the Indonesian people will give me additional energy to achieve the best result.” Gerry Salim | AHRT ASIA PRODUCTION 250CC RIDER     “I couldn’t finish on the podium in the opening round in Johor, but I want to make it up in this second round. It won’t be easy, because the circuit is new for me and local riders will perform strongly. But I believe that with the CBR250RR bike I will be able to fight again in the front group. I won’t disappoint the people who have supported me.” Rheza Danica | AHRT ASIA PRODUCTION 250CC RIDER     “I couldn’t finish on the podium in the opening round in Johor, but I want to make it up in this second round. It won’t be easy, because the circuit is new for me and local riders will perform strongly. But I believe that with the CBR250RR bike I will be able to fight again in the front group. I won’t disappoint the people who have supported me.” Awhin Sanjaya | AHRT ASIA PRODUCTION 250CC RIDER     “The experience in Johor was so memorable for me. Fighting in the front group and being able to finish on the podium was nice. I want to repeat it in this second round. The team have given his maximum contribution to improve my bike, and now it’s my turn to put the Honda CBR600RR among the front riders. I hope I could make history for AHRT. Thank you all for your support.” Irfan Ardiansyah | AHRT SUPERSPORTS 600CC RIDER        

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PAIN IS NOTHING FOR GRITTY ZAQHWAN

2017, 2017 Round2, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Three cracked toes on his right foot is hardly a deterrent for Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi as he revs up his title defense in the SuperSports 600cc category of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The gritty Malaysian rider is determined to press on with his gruelling race schedule in spite of the injury he sustained during Round 1 of the Asian series held at the Johor Circuit in Malaysia. “Riders have won races with all kinds of injury. The pain is nothing. I’m already at a disadvantage because I did not pick up any points from Race 2 in Round 1,” said Zaqhwan who crashed out on Lap 2 while fighting for the race lead and is currently third overall on the standings with 25 points. “I must overcome the points deficit in Round 2 at Buriram this weekend.” There will be no rest for the intrepid Malaysian rider in April. Immediately after Round 2 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship wraps up on April 15 in Thailand, Zaqhwan will be heading east to take part in the Suzuka 2&4 Race in Japan onApril 22 and 23. “The Suzuka 2&4 Race is part of our training regime for the Suzuka 8-hour Endurance in July. If I miss the coming event, I will lose out on valuable track time,” Zaqhwan explained.

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WAHYU LOOKING FORWARD TO BURIRAM

2017, 2017 Round2, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Reigning Underbone champion, Wahyu Aji Trilaksana is looking forward to Round 2 at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand this weekend after an opening round that did not quite go according to script. Wahyu had hoped for a strong start to the 2017 season even though his pre-season test had been beset by problems. Team Yamaha Racing Indonesia had clearly made tremendous steps towards resolving the technical issues as Round 1 progressed in early April. “Full credits to my team and especially our engineers. They turned the bike around in a remarkably short period of time,” said Wahyu. Unfortunately, Wahyu’s charge to the first podium of the season was derailed when he and team mate Anggi Setiawan crashed out on Lap 6. Undeterred, Wahyu finished second in Race 2 to get his title run back on track. The loss of points from Race 1 has dropped Wahyu down to sixth overall in the rankings. Round 2 in Thailand will be crucial for Wahyu to redeem his position. “The switch up to the Underbone 150 category has been hard for all the riders. The lack of data makes it harder to prepare our bikes. But I am really optimistic ahead of Buriram. Our bike showed good improvement in Race 2 and we’re well on our way to a solid result in Thailand. Buriram is also one of my favourite tracks, so I’m really looking forward to racing there.”

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A-KID TO LOOK OUT FOR

2017, 2017 Round2, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Mohd Akid Aziz of team UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor has cemented his status as the next exciting name in Malaysian motorsports. The 19-year-old had been nothing but impressive, leading not only the CP115 class of the national championship, but also the Underbone 150cc ladder in the regional FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Prior to the start of the Asian series, team principal Yong Ying Hoe raised eyebrows with his decision to put two junior riders on to the competitive Underbone 150cc grid of the ARRC. “Due to the high level of competition in the regional series, teams usually hedge their bets by fielding one seasoned campaigner with a rookie. But Akid rewarded my belief in him many times over with a double podium performance at the Johor Circuit two weeks ago. He rode with a coolness and maturity that eclipsed the fact that it was his first time racing against strong riders from Indonesia,” said Yong. The local racing industry is already abuzz with news that Akid could be the next to follow in the footsteps of Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin. He would most likely be the Malaysian candidate for the Yamaha VR46 MasterCamp this season. However, the news is yet to be officially confirmed by Hong Leong Yamaha. While training stints with racing idols in Europe may beckon in the mid-term, for now, Yong would prefer if his dazzling young protege focuses on the task at hand. “I just want both Akid and Haziq to prepare for Round 2 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship that will take place at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand this weekend. Now that the rest of the field have taken the measure of their abilities, we no longer have the element of surprise working to our favour. But if they continue to perform as they have done, the rewards will come their way.” Round 2 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will be held at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand fromApril 13 to 15, 2017.

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AFFENDI ROSLI SANCTIONED WITH A 1-ROUND SUSPENSION

2017, 2017 Round1, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Mohd Affendi Rosli had been sanctioned with a 1-round suspension from the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Affendi was found to have raced in an irresponsible manner during Race 1 of the Underbone 150cc category in Round 1 of the 2017 season. The incident was deemed to have been potentially dangerous to the other participants. Therefore, Affendi will not be racing in Round 2 of the Asian series which will be held at the Chang International Circuit on April 14 and 15, 2017. Full clip of the incident :

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NEW TALENT SHINES IN RACE 2

2017, 2017 Round1, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Exciting new talent came to the fore as the season opening round of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship came to a close at the Johor Circuit last weekend. A pair of teenagers, 18-year-olds Taiga Hada of Japan and Irfan Ardiansyah from Indonesia, stole the limelight when they dominated Race 2 of the SuperSports 600cc category amidst a field of seasoned campaigners Despite high expectations that Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi would repeat his Race 1 victory, the polesitter’s race got off to a bad start when he lost the holeshot to Hada. On Lap 2, Zaqhwan’s dream of a double win was smashed when he crashed out at Turn 2. Two laps later, another strong contender, Thailand’s Decha Kraisart also ended his race on the gravel. While the high profile riders stumbled, Taiga Hada of team RAMA Honda by NTS T.Pro Ten10, put in a stunning masterclass of inch-perfect racing throughout the 16-lap race. He kept his cool and his lead to clinch the first 600cc win of his career with a time of 24’51.787s. “My rear tyre was a bit slippy throughout the race, but apart from that, I have no other complaints. It was a thoroughly enjoyable race,” said a delighted Hada. Meanwhile, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman who suffered from engine woes in Race 1, fared better when he wheelied to the finish line in second place with 24’56.876s. Finally, Indonesian rider Irfan Ardiansyah from Astra Honda Racing stole the spotlight when he rode like a raging bull to go from 12th on the grid to third in the race with a time of 25’04.928s. Further down the field, Ahmad Yudhistira took fourth place with a time of 25’08.480s. Thai rider Ratthapong Wilairot stormed home in fifth place. Noriyuki Haga, Tatsuya Yamaguchi, Teppei Nagoe, Sena Yamada and Chalermpol Polamai completed the top 10. Hada now leads the SuperSports 600cc class with 45 points followed by Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, second with 33 points and Zaqhwan third with 25 points. Thanks to the young rider, team RAMA Honda by NTS T.Pro Ten10 holds the provisional lead in the team awards with 45 points. Team Manual Tech Kawasaki Racing and MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda Racing are tied in second with 33 points apiece. Round 2 of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will take place at the Chang International Circuit on April 14 and 5, 2017.

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DOUBLE VICTORY FOR GERRY AND ASTRA HONDA

2017, 2017 Round1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Race 2 of the Asia Production 250cc class brought the coveted double win for Indonesian rider Gerry Salim. The Astra Honda Racing rider dominated the proceedings as he led from start to finish with a time of 20’54.397s. A rocket start allowed Gerry to lead into Turn 1 with poleman Anupab Sarmoon and Takehiro Yamamoto hot on his tail. Gerry managed to carve out a lead when his team mate Rheza Danica Ahrens got mixed up within the front group. Rheza’s presence distracted the other riders enough for Gerry to pull away. “The race went easier for me today,” said Gerry. “Everything went according to script. I pushed hard in the first five laps and then brought the pace down a bit to conserve my tyres until the end.” Unable to catch up to Gerry, Anupab role a solo race in second place with a time of 20’56.112s. Takehiro Yamamoto edged out Tomoyoshi Koyama for third position with a time of 20’59.050s. Meanwhile, Rheza Danica was undoubtedly the man of the hour for Astra Honda Racing. He started the race from fourth on the grid but was penalized with a ride-through penalty when he jumpstarted the race. Rejoining the grid at P15, Rheza went past one rider after another to complete the 12-lap race in fifth place. As the sole double winner of the weekend, Gerry goes home with the maximum 50 points to his name. Takehiro Yamamoto tied with Anupab Sarmoon in second overall with 36 points each.

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AKID IMPRESSES IN ARRC DEBUT

2017, 2017 Round1, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Race 2 from Round 1 of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship turned out to be a good day for the rising in the Asian series. Just as Taiga Hada and Rheza Danica Ahrens shone in the SuperSports 600cc and Asia Production 250cc classes, debutant Mohd Akid Aziz gave a thrilling performance when he rode to a stunning victory in the Underbone 150cc category. The 19-year-old Akid had been strong throughout the weekend, narrowly losing out to countryman Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam in Race 1 at a photo finish. In Race 2, Akid redeemed himself with a stunning ride that saw him match Indonesian duo Wahyu Aji Trilaksana and Anggie Setiawan pace-for-pace during the run-up to the finish line. Akid scored his first Asian victory with a time of 14’52.561s, leaving defending champion Wahyu to settle for second place with 14’52.888s and Anggi in third with 14’52.959s. “Race 2 was less challenging than Race 1,” said a very frank Akid. “I just had to keep my pace within the leading group and then power up at the final lap. My thanks to my team for preparing such a great bike.” After Round 1, Akid is now the provisional Underbone 150cc leader with 45 points. Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam is second overall with 33 points while Tengku Amirul Haffiruddin was third with 24 points. Akid’s results had also given team UMA Racing Yamaha Maju a decisive lead in the opening stages of the 2017 season. Team Maju holds 45 points against SCK Rapido Hi Rev Honda Racing in second overall position with 36 points.

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FILIPINO CONTINGENT STRONG IN SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE 2017

2017, 2017 Round1, Latest News, Suzuki Asian Challenge /

The Filipino contingent brought their A-game to the season opening races of the 2017 Suzuki Asian Challenge. After Mario Borbon Junior’s win in Race 1, trio April King Mascardo, Mario Borbon and Eane Jaye Sobretodo went to Race 2 fired up for a clean sweep of the podium. The Filipino riders put on an immediate assault at the start of the race as April King charged into the lead. Unfortunately, in their zeal to carve out a margin at the front of the pack, Eane Jaye tangled up against two other riders on Lap 2. The crash slowed down the group, allowing April King easy access to the lead. April King easily held on to his position, crossing the finish line with a comfortable six-second lead in front of the rest of the field. Tetsuya Fujita emerged as the second placed rider with 14’05.794s and Punchana Kulrojchalalai was third with 14’05.922s. Race 1 winner Mario Borbon Junior got caught up with the main pack and was only able to finish eighth. Nevertheless, Mario leads the 2017 rankings with 33 points while April King is second overall with 32 points. Indonesia’s Nur Al Fath Sam Ahmad is ranked third after taking third place in Race 1 and fourth in Race 2.

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