Latest News – Page 88 – Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship

AZLAN GETS 2018 OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

2018, 2018 Test, Latest News, Supersports 600 / webadmin webadmin

Only a few days to go before the start of the 2018 season and the teams competing in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship are already at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand for two days of pre-season testing. In the premiere class, defending champion Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman and team Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing are looking good for the new season as they dominated Day 1 at the pre-season test. Azlan topped the timesheets throughout the day, ending with the fastest time of the day 1’38.936s. According to Azlan, critical improvements to the bike’s suspension system has the team well on the way towards taming the Chang International Circuit. While more developments will be implemented for the second day of pre-season test, the defending champion is bullish of his chances to win the first race of the season this weekend. Decha Kraisart, always strong on his home track, was the second fastest rider on the grid with 1’39.132s followed by Zaqhwan Zaidi third with 1’39.190s and Ahmad Yudhistira fourth with 1’39.197s. Ratthapong Wilairot caused quite a stir this week following an announcement that he will be moving from the AP Honda Racing Team to the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team. Ratthapong, who has been a Honda-rider throughout his career had quickly adapted to the Yamaha. He posted fifth fastest with 1’39.303s. Tomoyoshi Koyama, back on the 600cc bike, was sixth fastest. Yuki Ito, out on track on the new model Yamaha R6, was only able to go out for the third practice session. He posted seventh fastest with 1’39.968s. Taiga Hada, Andi Farid Izdihar and Azroy Hakeem Anuar rounded up the top 10.

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ANUPAB EYES 2018 250 TITLE

2018, 2018 Test, Asia Production 250, Latest News / webadmin webadmin

With 2017 Asia Production 250cc Champion Gerry Salim off to Europe for the CEV and Tomoyoshi Koyama back in the SuperSports 600cc class of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Yamaha Thailand Racing Team’s Anupab Sarmoon is heavily tipped as the best bet for the title in 2018. During the pre-season tests at the Chang International Circuit, Anupab proved himself equal to expectations with the fastest laptime of 1’53.180. Anupab was 0.342 seconds faster than the existing circuit record he created in Round 6, a time of 1’53.522s. Anupab’s team mate, Peerapong Boonlert, joined him among the top ranks of the 250cc riders. Peerapong posted third fastest. The Astra Honda Racing Team title will be defended by Rheza Danica Ahrens, Awhin Sanjaya and newcomer Mario Suryo Aji. Rheza checked in with the second fastest with of the day – 1’53.779s. Most impressive from the first day of practice was the performance by the Astra Honda Racing Team rookie Mario Suryo Aji. At 14, Mario is the youngest rider in the Asia Production 250cc class but have had previous race experience at the Chang International Circuit, having taken part in the Thailand Talent Cup last year. He posted fourth fastest with 1’54.437s on his first day out on the track. Andy Muhammad Fadly from team Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing will be using the new 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 250 this season. Fadly finished the day seventh fastest with 1’55.211s.

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MOTO3 TYRES ON UNDERBONE BIKES

2018, 2018 Test, Latest News, Underbone 150 / webadmin webadmin

The UB150 class in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship had long been considered as the highest level of competition for the genre of underbone racing anywhere in the world. The unique heritage race that began in the South East Asian triumvirate – Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia – had, in recent years, garnered a lot of attention and interest from other Asian nations such as Vietnam, Myanmar, and the Philippines to name a few. In 2018, changes to the tyre regulations will see Dunlop Moto3 medium compound tyres fitted on all Underbone 150 bikes competing in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. The change was noticeably almost immediately. During the Championship’s pre-season test at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand, Wahyu Aji Trilaksana posted a new Circuit Record with a time of 2’02.357. Mohd Amirul Ariff Musa of Yuzy Honda Vietnam Racing clocked second fastest with 2’02.371s followed by Mohd Haziq Mohd Fairues third with 2’02.617s, and Mohd Helmi Azman fourth with 2’02.892s. Returning champion, Gupita Kresna Wardhana had clearly not lost his touch yet. Making a comeback with Yamaha SND Factory, Gupita was fifth fastest with 2’02.897s. Defending champion Mohd Akid Aziz got off to a conservative start, he finished the first day in sixth with 2’03.798s.

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CONGRATULATIONS HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH

TEAM MUSASHi BOON SIEW HONDA’S 3-MAN STRATEGY FOR 2018

2018, Latest News, Supersports 600 / webadmin webadmin

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Honda’s recent line-up announcement has revealed the depth of planning that has gone into the motorcycling giant’s strategy for the Asian title. For the first time in six years, team MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda will field a 3-rider line-up comprising of Malaysian duo Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi and Azzroy Hakeem Anuar as well as Japanese rider Tomoyoshi Koyama. While the team has yet to name the lead rider, expectations are that Koyama will assume the leading role in the team’s 2018 campaign. This impression is further reinforced by recent updates about Zaqhwan’s full-season ride in the JSB1000 class of the All-Japan. This development leads to the logical conclusion that the 2-time Asian Champion is being groomed to win the ASB1000 crown when the litre class is finally introduced in 2019. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4688″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] Name: MOHD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI Age: 23 (1995) Nat: MAS Bike No: 21 Make: Honda Team: MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda Class: SuperSports 600cc CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 2014 CHAMPION – SuperSports 600cc, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship CHAMPION – CP130, PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship 2015 Moto2 World Championship (4 rounds) 10th overall – SuperSports 600cc, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2016 CHAMPION – SuperSports 600cc, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 4th overall – CP130, PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship 2017 2nd overall – SuperSports 600cc, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Along the same veins, Malaysian-based MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda will still need a strong local rider to eventually fill Zaqhwan’s slot when he moves up to the 1000cc. 19-year-old Azzroy Hakeem Anuar fits the bill to a T. Azzroy, alongside young riders like Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin, are increasingly viewed as the next rising motorsports star in Malaysia. This will be Azzroy’s first full-season astride the 600cc bike.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4708″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] Name: AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR Age: 19 (1999) Nat: MAS Bike No: 20 Make: Honda Team: Yuzy Honda Vietnam Racing Class: Underbone 150cc CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 2013 13th overall – Honda Future One Make Challenge, Malaysian Cub Prix Championship 2014 2nd overall – Honda Future One Make Challenge, Malaysian Cub Prix Championship 2015 14th overall – Asia Talent Cup 2016 15th overall – Underbone 130cc, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2016 4th overall – CP115, Malaysian Cub Prix Championship 2017 5th overall – Underbone 150cc, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] But with all that planning going towards 2019, let’s not forget that there is still a title to be won in 2018! This is where Tomoyoshi Koyama comes in. Nicknamed ‘The Shadow’ by the Asian racing fraternity, Koyama’s neat, precise and flawless rider often has him overlooked on a track filled with drama and theatrics. Overlooked, that is, until he powers his way up to the podium. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4709″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] Name: TOMOYOSHI KOYAMA Age: 35 (1983) Nat: JPN Bike No: 71 Make: Honda Team: RAMA Honda Class: Asia Production 250cc CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 2002 3rd overall – All Japan Road Race 2003 2nd overall – All Japan Road Race 2004 2nd overall – All Japan Road Race 2005 GP125 World Championships 2007 3rd overall – GP125 World Championships 2011 – 2012 Moto2 World Championships 2013 5th overall – SuperSports 600cc, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2014 5th overall – SuperSports 600cc, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2015 2nd overall – SuperSports 600cc, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2016 2nd overall – SuperSports 600cc, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2017 2nd overall – Asia Production 250cc, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Japanese rider is a seasoned campaigner and is no stranger to the intense title chase in the 600cc premiere class. Koyama came close to taking the 2015 and 2016 title. With team MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda, Koyama has earned himself a third shot at the elusive SuperSports 600cc crown. Together, these three riders will be tasked with the mission of taking back the Asian title against a highly motivated Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman and his Kawasaki team. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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RE-introducing: GUPITA KRESNA WARDHANA

2018, Latest News, Underbone 150 / webadmin webadmin

The biggest news to hit the Asian paddocks in the run-up to the 2018 Asia Road Racing Championship so far had been the news of the impending return of Gupita Kresna Wardhana. The Indonesian rider has confirmed his comeback with a new team – SND Racing. Countryman Syahrul Amin will be his flanksman as Gupita attempts to re-establish himself among the top ranks of Underbone racing. Who is Gupita Kresna Wardhana? Two names loomed large during the 130cc era of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (2012 to 2016). These were Hadi Wijaya and Gupita Kresna Wardhana. Back then, the two were team mates with Kawasaki’s Manual Tech team. This was before Manual Tech’s successful bid for the premiere class crown in 2017. The two riders won back-to-back titles in the Underbone 130cc category. Hadi Wijaya took the honours in 2012 and 2013 before the baton was passed to Gupita in 2014 and 2015. In 2014, Gupita won the title by a 49-point margin ahead of Taiga Hada (yes, the same Taiga Hada who was in title contention for the SuperSports 600cc championship in 2017). During that year, he picked up 1 win and 6 podiums out of 12 races. In 2015, Gupita ended his campaign in dramatic fashion when he literally ran for his title at the final sprint at the Losail International Circuit. The Comeback Although Gupita had only left the ARRC for two short seasons, much had changed in the Asian heritage category. For one, the Underbone 130cc had been discontinued and replaced by the Underbone 150cc. The 28-year-old Gupita will also be coming back to a much younger grid. The average age of the riders in the Underbone class had been dropping steadily over the past two years. As of 2017, the average age was 21.6 years. Although the age factor could be negligible for a rider of Gupita’s calibre, he is likely to have his hands full with feisty teenagers with a no-holds barred approach to racing. Controversial Team Mate While 2018 will be the first full season for Gupita’s team mate, Syahrul Amin in the Asian series, the younger rider is not an unknown factor in the world of Asian racing. He has been celebrated as a fast rider but often criticised for his lack of sportsmanship. Syahrul was suspended for a few months in 2017 for his ‘pull-no-punches’ style of racing. Taking The Trophy Home Undergone racing had always been the purview of the Indonesian riders. Since 2004, there had been nine Indonesian champions in the Underbone category. Beginning with M. Fadli Immammuddin (2004), Doni Tata Pradtia (2005), Gilang Praam Sukma (2006), Wahyu Widodo (2007), Owie Nurhuda (2008), Hadi Wijaya (2010, 2012 and 2013), Rapid Topaz Sucipto (2011), Gupita Kresna Wardhana (2014 and 2015), and finally Wahyu Aji Trilaksana (2016). In 2017, Wahyu Aji Trilaksana, frequently the sole Indonesian rider on the grid, eventually lost the title to Mohd Akid Aziz. Gupita and Syahrul Amin’s presence on the 2018 grid is expected to balance out the two opposing forces, leading to an even more exciting championship in 2018.

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ARRC RELEASES 2018 CALENDAR

2018, Latest News / webadmin webadmin

The 2018 season of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will feature a 6-round calendar with a new stop down under in Australia. The Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand will host the curtain raiser with the pre-season tests and Round 1 scheduled to be held at the booming Thai circuit from February 27 to March 4, 2018. The ARRC contingent will next hop down to Adelaide, Australia where the championship is scheduled to become the first international motorcycle racing event to be held at the brand new The Bend Motorsports Park. The highly anticipated double-bill with the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) will be a four day bike-extravaganza taking place from April 19 to 22, 2018. Japan’s iconic Suzuka Circuit will be the third battleground of the season, set to take place from June 1 to 3, 2018. The second half of the season will resume at the Madras Motor Race Track in Chennai, India from August 3 to 5, 2018 followed by the Indonesian round (Round 5) from October 12 to 14. As the season winds down, the Chang International Circuit will once again host the season finale from November 30 to December 2. 2018 FIM ASIA ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP – PROVISIONAL CALENDAR Pre-Season – Chang International Circuit, Thailand | February 27 – 28, 2018 Round 1 – Chang International Circuit, Thailand | March 2 – 4, 2018 Round 2 – The Bend Motorsports Park, Australia | April 19 – 22, 2018 Round 3 – Suzuka Circuit, Japan | June 1 – 3, 2018 Round 4 – Madras Motor Race Track, India | August 3 – 5, 2018 Round 5 – Sentul Circuit, Indonesia October | 12 – 14, 2018 Round 6 – Chang International Circuit, Thailand | November 30 – December 2, 2018

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ARRC HAS A DATE WITH THE ASBK AT THE BEND MOTORSPORTS PARK IN 2018

2018, Latest News / webadmin webadmin

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] What do you get when you put the best of Asia and the best of Australia together on a brand new world-class circuit? An Australasian motorsports extravaganza that will take place at The Bend Motorsports Park in South Australia next April. The ARRC-ASBK double bill will be the first international motorcycle event at The Bend. The four-day racing fest is scheduled for April 19 to 22, 2018. Ron Hogg, Director, Two Wheels Motor Racing We are very excited with this new partnership between the ARRC, the ASBK and The Bend Motorsports Park. We hope that by working together, we will create more opportunities that will benefit the motorsports industry in both regions. The ARRC have always sought to work closely with all the stakeholders involved in the sport. This is not just limited to sponsors, teams and riders, but also extends to the respective federations (such as Motorcycling Australia), the national championships (in this case the Australian Superbike Championship), and last but not least, the circuit owners (The Bend Motorsports Park). We believe that by pooling our resources and efforts, we can generate more growth and opportunities for Asian and Australian riders alike. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G-CdiItEPY”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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A SEASON OF BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS AS AZLAN LIFT SECOND SUPERSPORTS 600cc CROWN

2017, 2017 Round6, Latest News, Supersports 600 / webadmin webadmin

As the curtains come down on the 2017 season of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman triumphed over a season of blood, sweat and tears to lift the second SuperSports 600cc title of his career. The Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing rider overcame the disadvantage of multiple crashes, and rode through the pain to craft a final magnificent comeback. He was 10 points adrift of championship leader Zaqhwan Zaidi at the start of the season finale but boosted his chances with a fifth place finish in Race 1. As the riders lined up for Race 2, the final race of the 2017 season, Azlan had cut the margin to half, trailing Zaqhwan by only five points. Polesitter Apiwat Wongthananon of team Yamaha Thailand Racing improved on his race start and quickly established a lead at the front of the pack. With Apiwat racing like a blue streak at the front of the group, Azlan was left fighting for third place against Chalermpol Polamai, Anthony West and Thitipong Warokorn. He maintained a third place position for the majority of the race but dropped to fourth when he was overtaken by Chalermpol on Lap 14. But the cohesiveness of the Kawasaki strategy came together in a big way for Azlan. While Ahmad Yudhistira worked to hassle Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi in midfield, marquee-mate Thitipong Warokorn acted as an able rear guard for Azlan in the second pack. A last lap push brought Azlan flying past Chalermpol at the closing minutes of the final race and he succeeded in claiming the third spot on the podium in 29’59.060s. Azlan was 5.9 seconds adrift of Apiwat who clinched the double victory in 29’53.158s. Anthony West finished second in the race. “Our team worked really through the night to prepare a third engine for me. My thanks to them for not giving up. It was really a tough situation to overcome. I just knew that I had to finish as high as possible. At the same time, I had to save my tyres for the end of the race. Luckily, the strategy worked and I was able to overtake Chalermpol at the final lap,” said Azlan who shed tears of happiness when he realized that he had won the title with 155 points. The last time Kawasaki had won the Asian title was in 2011 through Katsuaki Fujiwara. Azlan’s closest rival for the title, Zaqhwan (MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda), was seventh across the chequered flag. Consequently, he dropped to second overall with 153 points. Taiga Hada (RAMA Honda by NTS T.Pro Ten10) finished eighth in the race and completed his third SuperSports 600cc season third on the championship rung with 149 points. Yamaha Racing’s Yuki Ito was ninth across the finish line and dropped to fourth overall with 141 points. Azlan’s win also confirmed team Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing as the 2017 SuperSports 600cc Team Champion with 182 points.

A SEASON OF BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS AS AZLAN LIFT SECOND SUPERSPORTS 600cc CROWN Read More »

KOYAMA SECURES SECOND OVERALL POSITION

Leave a Comment / 2017, 2017 Round6, Asia Production 250, Latest News / webadmin webadmin

With the top honours in the Asia Production 250cc category taken up by Astra Honda Racing Team’s Gerry Salim, former title contenders Anupab Sarmoon (Yamaha Thailand Racing) and Tomoyoshi Koyama (RAMA Honda) were left squabbling for second overall position. Race 2 of the Asia Production 250cc category flagged off without Race 1 winner Rheza Danica Ahrens. The Astra Honda Racing Team rider, team mate to Gerry Salim, crashed during the Sunday morning warmup. The resulting broken collarbone kept him off the racing track. Without the pressure of the title chase on his shoulders, Gerry Salim looked supremely relaxed for the last race of the season. Meanwhile, Anupab and Koyama braced for a titanic battle in the race to finish second overall. Anupab leapt into the holeshot but was unable to keep his advantage for more than a corner. Despite starting the race from second row, Koyama was able to challenge Anupab for the lead by the middle of the first lap. The two familiar rivals locked horns for the full 10 laps, racing side-by-side to the finish line. Koyama stormed into the win in first place with 19’09.799s, a mere 0.040 seconds ahead of Anupab. Behind the two riders, AP Honda Racing Team’s Muklada Sarapuech gave her best ARRC performance to date. Muklada held her own in a 7-bike swarm consisting of Gerry Salim, Peerapong Luiboonpeng, Peerapong Boonlert, Vorapong Malahuan, Awhin Sanjaya, and Galang Hendra Pratama. Muklada would have scored her first Asia Production 250cc podium at Race 2 if not for a mistake that ran her wide on the final lap. Gerry Salim capitalized on Muklada’s mistake and slipped into third place with 19’17.532s. Peerapong Luiboonpeng, Peerapong Boonlert, Vorapong Malahuan and Awhin Sanjaya finished fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively. Muklada dropped to eighth. Gerry’s third place finish, his eighth podium of the season, solidified his status as 2017 Asia Production 250cc champion with 215 points. Koyama and Anupab tied with 188 points each but the Japanese rider won second overall position after having secured two wins ahead of Anupab’s one. The Astra Honda Racing Team, 2017 Asia Production 250cc Team Champions, brought their points haul to a total of 257 points at the final count. Teams Rama Honda and Yamaha Thailand Racing were also tied with 188 points but the advantage went to the Honda outfit with more wins.

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