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In motorsport, it is always an all-or-nothing moment when opportunity comes, especially in the final moments of a race. 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.

Stepping into the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is never easy. 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.