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Access Plus Racing partners with Okada Manila to enter ASB1000 & SS600 in Asia Road Racing Championship Coming on the back of a successful debut season, Access Plus Racing confirms its return to the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) this 2020 with an expanded lineup that now includes entries in both ASB1000 and SS600. The Philippine-based team also welcomes Okada Manila, which was recently awarded the Forbes Travel Guide five star rating, as its new partner and will be running as Access Plus Racing-Okada Manila for the upcoming season. The team will again enter two Panigale V4Rs from Ducati Philippines in the ARRC’s top category – the Asia Super Bike 1000 (ASB1000). Headlining their lineup is two-time Philippine Superbike Novice and Intermediate Class Champion TJ Alberto. The 22-year-old is a seasoned rider with racing experience in the Italian Superbike Championship and World SBK Superstock 1000. As the lone Filipino on the ASB1000 grid, he competed in all seven ARRC rounds last year and consistently finished in the points with a best 6th place finish during the season. He will then be reunited with Federico Sandi who now comes back as a full-time entry in 2020. The Italian rider brought with him a wealth of experience during his two wildcard appearances last year, helping the team close the gap to the front runners. He also asserted the Panigale V4R as a strong title contender with his impressive performances at Sepang and Buriram where he fought for outright race wins. New for 2020 is the addition of a SuperSports 600 (SS600) entry with Troy Alberto onboard a Honda CBR600RR from Honda Philippines Inc. Like his older brother TJ, Troy is also a two-time Philippine Superbike Class Champion. And despite his young age at only 18 years old, he has raced in the FIM CEV European Talent Cup, Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, and most recently at the Honda Thailand Talent Cup where he finished on the podium on four occasions. Carved on 44 hectares of picturesque oceanfront, Okada Manila is a luxurious integrated casino resort and hotel complex located on the Entertainment City gaming strip in Parañaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Its partnership with Access Plus Racing will see Okada Manila’s branding and purple livery featured on the team’s ASB1000 and SS600 motorbikes, as well as all three riders’ suits throughout the ARRC’s 2020 season. The Asia Road Racing Championship’s upcoming race calendar consists of seven rounds with two races per event. Its curtain raiser will take place at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia this March, followed by races in Australia, Japan, China, and conclude in Thailand in November. Toti Alberto, Team Principal: “We’re thrilled to be back in the ARRC after a learning season last year. The whole team is looking forward to racing again with TJ and Federico in ASB1000 with the addition of Troy in SS600. We’d also like to welcome Okada Manila as our new partner for the upcoming season and race together under Access Plus Racing-Okada Manila.” Access Plus Racing-Okada Manila is sponsored by Okada Manila, Essenza, AELLA, Öhlins Philippines, and Dickies Philippines, with Ducati Philippines for the team’s entry in ASB1000 and Honda Philippines Inc. for SS600. For more info and the latest updates about the team, follow www.facebook.com/AccessPlusRacingPH/ on Facebook and riders www.facebook.com/TjAlberto7, www.facebook.com/Fedesandi23, and www.facebook.com/TroyAlberto9Official.

Kejuaraan Motosikal Asia (ARRC) FIM edisi ke-25 akan bermula pada 7 dan 8 Mac ini di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang. Berikut antara beberapa perkara yang anda boleh jangkakan pada edisi pembuka tirai musim ini: PERLUMBAAN PALING MENDEBARKAN, TERBESAR, PALING LIAR SERTA DI LUAR JANGKAAN Ini sajian terbaik buat anda peminat sukan permotoran kerana jentera BMW S1000 RR akan turun untuk mempertahankan gelaran juara Asia berdepan cabaran daripada pesaing terhebatnya seperti Ducati Panigale V4 R, Honda CBR RR R Fireblade, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR serta Yamaha YZF-R1M. Berikut dipaparkan sedikit informasi mengenai kategori jentera yang akan bersaing pada edisi pembuka tirai minggu ini: ASB1000 – TERBESAR, TERHEBAT Ini merupakan medan pertarungan buat nama-nama besar dalam sukan permotoran di Asia. Tumpuan sudah pasti terarah kepada juara bertahan, Azlan Shah Kamruzaman yang bakal berdepan tentangan sengit daripada barisan pencabarnya seperti Zaqhwan Zaidi, Broc Parkes, Yuki Ito, Federico Sandi, Markus Reiterberger, Thitipong Warokorn, Apiwath Wongthananon dan ramai lagi.   SS600 – PALING LIAR Kategori ini dilabel sebagai ‘budak jahat Asia’.  Ratthapong Wilairot dan Ahmad Yudhistira bakal menjadi perhatian dalam kelas 600cc yang bakal menghadapi cabaran daripada pelumba yang sedang meningkat naik seperti Azroy Hakeem Anuar. Begitupun, Muklada Sarapuech yang merupakan pelumba wanita pertama beraksi satu musim penuh dalam kelas 600cc tidak boleh dipandang mudah oleh pelumba lain.   AP250 – YANG PALING MENDEBARKAN Kelas AP250cc ini tidak pernah gagal memaparkan persaingan sengit dan situasi itu bakal berterusan musim ini. Bagi edisi 2020, sejumlah 23 pelumba telah mengesahkan penyertaan.   UB150 – PALING SUKAR DIRAMALKAN Tiada siapa yang berani meramalkan pelumba mana yang akan menguasai saingan perlumbaan Underbone. Ia perlumbaan yang sangat sengit dan setiap pelumba bersaing terlalu rapat antara satu dengan yang lain. Situasi itu sudah menjadi kebiasaan dalam saingan kelas Underbone. Pendahulu perlumbaan bersilih ganti di setiap selekoh kerana semua pelumba akan mempamerkan kehebatan masing-masing ketika berada di atas litar.       2. TIADA TIKET, TIADA BAYARAN PARKIR, TIADA KEKECOHON – MASUK ADALAH PERCUMA KE GRANDSTAND BUAT PARA PENONTON Para peminat sukan permotoran tidak perlu risau untuk membayar harga tiket dan parkir apabila menyaksikan Pusingan 1 Kejuaraan Motosikal Asia (ARRC) di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang minggu ini. Lebih menarik, pintu masuk ke kawasan grandstand akan dibuka kepada orang ramai pada 7 dan 8 Mac. Anda hanya perlu datang ke SIC, sekali gus menikmati keseronokan yang bakal ditawarkan pada edisi pembuka tirai ARRC 2020 ini! 3. KEISTEMEWAAN PARKIR KHAS KEPADA PARA PENUNGGANG MOTOSIKAL SERTA KUMPULAN KONVOI Aksi Pusingan 1 ARRC bukan sekadar perlumbaan tetapi turut dianggap sebagai Fiesta Motosikal. Para penunggang motosikal akan menikmati keistimewaan tempat parkir. Satu kawasan lapang akan dijadikan sebagai zon parkir dan ia dijamin selamat. 4. KEMPEN HAPPY BAG – PELUANG MEMBAWA PULANG SEBUAH MOTOSIKAL BAHARU JENAMA HONDA RS150 ATAU YAMAHA Y15 Anda mungkin menjadi pemenang bertuah untuk membawa pulang sebuah motosikal baharu sama ada jenama Honda RS150 atau Yamaha Y15. Apa yang perlu anda lakukan hanyalah mengambil bahagian dalam cabutan bertuah dengan berbelanja RM50 untuk mendapatkan satu Happy Bag. Apa kadungan dalam Happy Bag tersebut? Ia mengandungi satu botol minyak pelincir enjin motosikal jenama Idemitsu 10W-40 serta sehelai baju-T edisi terhad sempena sambutan ulangtahun ke-25 ARRC. Happy Bag tersebut bernilai RM100. 5. PITWALK – PELUANG PEMINAT UNTUK BERJUMPA BARISAN PERSONALITI DI PADOK ARRC Para penonton akan diberi peluang menyertai pitwalk selama satu jam sebelum perlumbaan pada hari Ahad (8 Mac) bermula. Jadi, jangan lepaskan peluang ini untuk berselfie dengan pelumba kegemaran anda. Sepanjang pitwalk ini, anda juga boleh meminta tandatangan daripada para pelumba selain mendapatkan cenderahati kenang-kenangan daripada setiap pasukan.   6. 12 NEGARA, 80 PELUMBA, PELBAGAI KATEGORI PERLUMBAAN SERTA PERLUMBAAN TANPA HENTI Kejuaraan Motosikal Asia FIM merupakan gelanggang yang menawarkan pelbagai kelas perlumbaan iaitu daripada kelas Underbone sehinggalah ke kelas Superbike. Jangan lepaskan peluang menyaksikan aksi hebat ini secara langsung di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang kerana barisan pelumba terbaik daripada 12 buah negara akan beradu tenaga memburu kemenangan pertama musim ini. Ayuh! Apa tunggu lagi, datanglah beramai-ramai ke Litar Antarabangsa Sepang minggu ini (7 dan 8 Mac) untuk menyaksikan perlumbaan terunggul di Asia itu.

The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will kick start its 25th season this March 7 and 8 at the Sepang International Circuit. Here’s what you can expect from the season opener: 1. THE BIGGEST, BADDEST, FIERCEST AND MOST UNPREDICTABLE RACING This one’s for all you bike lovers as the BMW S1000 RR defends its Asian title against the determined onslaught from the Ducati Panigale V4 R, the Honda CBR1000 RR R Fireblade, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR and of course the Yamaha YZF-R1M. Here are the bikes competing in the weekend so far: ASB1000 – THE BIGGEST The battle ground for the biggest names in Asian motorsports. Watch as defending champion Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman goes toe to toe against rivals like Zaqhwan Zaidi, Broc Parkes, Yuki Ito, Federico Sandi, Markus Reiterberger, Thitipong Warokorn, Apiwath Wongthananon and so much more.   SS600 – THE BADDEST The bad boys of Asian motorsports race here. Ratthapong Wilairot and Ahmad Yudhistira are setting the stage for a showdown in the 600cc class against upcoming young talents like Azroy Hakeem Anuar. Watch out for Muklada Sarapuech, the first female rider to race full season in the 600cc class!     AP250 – THE FIERCEST Fierce competition is a daily affair in the Asia Production 250cc. Expect some phenomenal racing from the 23 riders confirmed on the grid to date.     UB150 – THE MOST UNPREDICTABLE Not even the most seasoned Underbone analyst would dare to bet on the outcome of an Underbone race where close contact racing is de rigueur. Leads change at every corner as the Super Cubs strut their stuff on the tarmac.     2. NO TICKETS; NO PARKING FEES; NO FUSS – FREE GRANDSTAND ACCESS FOR SPECTATORS Catch all the racing action at the Sepang International Circuit without worrying about tickets and parking charges. The gates to the grandstand will be open to the public on March 7 and 8. Simply walk in, and enjoy!     3. SPECIAL PARKING PRIVILEGES FOR BIKES AND CONVOYS It’s a bike fest, so it’s only right that bikers enjoy some special privileges. A segment of the mall area will be cordoned off and converted into a secured motorcycle parking zone. This is where your bike needs to see and be seen!     4. HAPPY BAG CAMPAIGN – STAND A CHANCE TO RIDE HOME WITH A BRAND NEW HONDA RS150 OR YAMAHA Y15 You could be one of two lucky winners to ride home with either a brand new Honda RS150 or a Yamaha Y15. All you have to do, to take part in the lucky draw, is to spend RM50 on a Happy Bag. What’s inside the Happy Bag? A bottle of Idemitsu 10W-40 motorcycle lubricant and a limited edition 25th Anniversary ARRC T-Shirt. The contents of the Happy Bag are worth up to RM100.   5. PITWALK – GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL TO THE COLOURFUL PERSONALITIES IN THE ASIAN PADDOCK The race schedule on Sunday (March 8) will feature an hour-long pitwalk where race fans and the race fraternity can hang out together. Grab your favourite rider for a selfie, pick up team memorabilia and other small momentos, pick up an autograph or two. 6. 12 COUNTRIES; 80 RIDERS; DIVERSE RACE CLASSES; NON-STOP RACING From Underbone to Superbikes, the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship has it all. Catch the excitement live and in person at the Sepang International Circuit as the best riders from 12 countries battle it out for the first win of the season.

With only a fortnight to go before the start of the 2020 FIM Asia Road Racing season, here’s a recap of the biggest movers and shakers to date:   CLASS TEAM WHAT’S HAPPENING? UB150 Cardinals Racing Malaysia The team finished 8th on the 2019 Team Standings in its debut season with Rozaiman Said, Fitri Ashraf Razali and Chepy Armansyah. The team has announced a brand new line-up for 2020 and will partner seasoned campaigner Ahmad Fazrul Sham with debutant Iqbal Amri. UB150 4S1M Racing Team The momentum from the Philippines continue following McKinley Kyle Paz’s title winning performance last year. The 4S1M Yamaha Racing Team will be the first Filipino satellite team to compete in hyper competitive UB150. For its debut season, the 4S1M Yamaha Racing Team will combine the talents of John Emerson Inguito with 2014/2015 Underbone champion Gupita Kresna Wardhana. ASB1000 SS600 AP250 UB150 ONEXOX TKKR SAG TEAM Still the largest team line-up in the Asian paddock, the formidable ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team will field 11 riders across the four championship classes. ASB1000 – Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman will again don the green and black livery of the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team for his ASB1000 title defense. Having won the riders award last year, the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team has set its eyes on clinching the team title this season. Towards that end, Azlan is now partnered with Swiss WSBK rider Markus Reiterberger. SS600 – Ramdan Rosli will reprise his role as the team’s lead rider in this class. The Malaysian rider landed 9th on the standings after an inconsistent season in 2019 with one win, two podiums and a number of DNF results. Nazirul Izzat Bahauddin’s career will go up a notch as the team moves him up from the AP250 to SS600. AP250 – The team has retained the services of Indonesian rider Rey Ratukore to spearhead their AP250 campaign. Rey will be joined by Malaysian Muzakkir Mohamed and Syafieq Aiman. UB150 – The partnership between Wahyu Aji Trilaksana and Ahmad Fazli Sham is set to continue. The duo will race alongside Hafiza Rofa and Faiz Zekri. ASB1000 SS600 Yamaha Thailand Racing Team ASB1000 – Apiwat Wongthananon, who finished fourth in the ASB1000 inaugural season, will be taking another shot at the Asian title this season. Anupab Sarmoon returns to the Asian Championship after a season in the CEV Moto2 European Championship and will be racing alongside Apiwat in the ASB1000. Outside of the Asian paddock, the team’s top performers from 2019, Peerapong Boonlert and Keminth Kubo, will be heading West to race in the CEV Moto2 European Championship. SS600 – Ratthapong Wilairot will return to the SS600 class to defend the title for Yamaha Thailand Racing Team. ASB1000 SS600 AP250 Victor Racing Team ASB1000 – Chinese rider Li Zheng Peng had a successful wildcard ride at the Zhuhai Circuit last year when he finished 7th and 10th in Race 1 and Race 2 respectively. Li is back for more as he joins the line-up of elite riders for a full season in the ASB1000. SS600 – Indonesian rider Ahmad Yudhistira believes that he will be more effective in the SS600 class. Yudhis’s return is expected to spice things up in the intermediate category. AP250 – The Victor Racing Team will facilitate the debut of the class’s first entry from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region – Leong Nang Tse. UB150 Team One For All Team One For All will maintain the same line up for this season with Mohd Affendi Rosli and Peerapong Luiboonpeng. ASB1000 Yamaha Racing Team ASEAN The strongest ASB1000 pair returns for the 2020 season. Broc Parkes and Yuki Ito combined for a total of 3 wins and 13 podiums in 2019.  Their first target of the season would surely be the Azlan Shah-Markus Reiterberger combo. UB150 Proliner RCB 549 Kaboci Racing Team The Proliner RCB 549 Kaboci Racing Team will form a 3-rider squad in 2020 – comprising of Richard Taroreh, Iswandi Muis and Aldy Taufil. UB150 RCB Yamaha YY Pang Team RCB Yamaha YY Pang goes international with the inclusion of Vietnamese rider To Ha Dong Nghi into the team’s line-up with Mohd Adib Rosley and Mohd Izzat Zaidi. SS600 AP250 Astra Honda Racing Team Still no indication of an ASB1000 debut, the Astra Honda Racing Team continues to focus on rider development in the SS600 and AP250 classes. Irfan Ardiansyah will join Rheza Danica Ahrens in the SS600 class. Lucky Hendriansya will lead the AP250 trio with newcomers Herjun Atna Firdaus and Mohammad Adenanta Putra. SS600 AP250 UB150 Yamaha Racing Indonesia Team Yamaha Racing Indonesia is expanding its presence in the new season of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The team will make its SS600 comeback with Faerozi Toreqottullah. Wahyu Nugroho and Anggi Setiawan will maintain the team’s presence in the AP250. Young maverick Aldi Satya Mahendra will stay in the UB150 for one more season. SS600 Akeno Speed Yamaha Akeno Speed Yamaha is back! Former ARRC rider Makoto Inagaki is set to place two young riders in the SuperSports 600cc class – Soichiro Minamimoto and Yusuke Nakamura. SS600 AP250 AP Honda Racing Thailand AP Honda Racing Thailand made waves when it decided to field Muklada Sarapuech in the SS600 class alongside Passawit Thitivararak. Muklada will be creating history as the first female rider to race full season in the intermediary class. Rookie rider Kantapat Yakantai will fill the vacuum left by Muklada in the AP250 line-up, and join forces with Piyawat Patoomyos. UB150 SND Factory Racing Rapido Wawan Wello is set to return to the UB150 grid with SND Factory Racing Rapido in 2020. The team has also recently signed up Muhammad Hildan Kusuma as their second rider. Hildan competed in the Asia Talent Cup last year and finished 12th overall. ASB1000 Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA Solo no more, Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi gets a team mate this year. Gerry Salim will be racing alongside Zaqhwan in the Honda Asia Dream Racing with SHOWA’s 2020 line-up.

The Maxpeedingrods Chieton China Racing Team is set to make history as the first Chinese team to participate in the full season of the ASB1000, the Superbikes class of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The team announced its entry on Wednesday at their home base in Beijing and will be supported by BMW Motorrad China. For its first full season, the team will feature two strong Chinese riders – Ma Sai who had raced as wildcard in the SuperSports 600cc category last year and seasoned campaigner Huang Shi Zhao. With the exception of the first two opening rounds, Ma Sai raced as a wildcard in the five remaining legs of the 2019 season. His best results in the SS600, came predictably, from the China round where he claimed two top-10 finishes in front of his home crowd. Huang Shi Zhao is no stranger to the Asian series, having competed in the championship several times in the course of his decades-long career. He made a wildcard appearance in the ASB1000 class during the Chinese leg last year where he finished a credible 9th in Race 1 and placed 11th in Race 2. photo : Maxpeedingrods Chieton China Racing Team