Supersports 600

THANAT DEFIED LONG LAP PENALTY

The SS600 category delivered another closely contested race at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailandas Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND fought back from a Long Lap Penalty to secure victory in Race 2 of Round 2 in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026. The race got underway with Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING making a good launch, but a slight wheelie off the start slowed him down, allowing Anupab Sarmoon of HONDA RACING THAILAND to move into the lead. Kasma quickly settled into second, followed by Thanat in third, McKinley Kyle Paz of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING in fourth and Muhammad Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA in fifth. By Lap 2, Kasma had taken over at the front, leading ahead of Thanat and Anupab. However, the race took an unexpected turn when Thanat was handed a Long Lap Penalty, dropping the Thai rider down to 11th position after rejoining the race. At the front, the battle remained intense between Kasma and Anupab, with both riders exchanging positions while keeping the pace high. Anupab set the fastest lap time of 1’39.841s on Lap 3 as he continued to pressure Kasma. Behind them, McKinley, Helmi and Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA remained in contention. Thanat meanwhile began his recovery ride. The Thai rider steadily worked his way back through the field, setting the fastest lap time of 1’39.604s on Lap 4 before improving further with a 1’39.586s on Lap 7 and a 1’39.529s on Lap 8. By Lap 9, Thanat had rejoined the leading group and quickly moved into third position before overtaking Kasma for second on Lap 10. With two laps remaining, Anupab and Thanat pulled slightly clear of the chasing riders, setting up a close battle for victory. On the final lap, Thanat made his move at the final corner, going around the outside of Anupab before racing to the finish line to complete an impressive comeback win. Thanat crossed the line first in 20’02.096s to secure victory on home soil, with Anupab finishing just 0.130s behind in second at 20’02.226s. Behind them, McKinley made a bold final-corner move on Kasma to secure third place in 20’02.673s, relegating the Malaysian rider to fourth. Thanat expressed, “When I first found out that I had to take the long lap penalty, honestly, I lost some confidence and felt a bit discouraged. In a race like this, every second matters, so naturally I was worried about how much it would affect my chances. But my team kept encouraging me and telling me that I can do it and their belief gave me the confidence to keep fighting. In the end, I told myself to stay calm and focus on the race, and thankfully, the long lap was not a problem for me. I managed to recover, keep pushing, and achieve this result. I’m really happy and emotional because it has been such a long time since I last won here, and to finally do it again means so much to me. Honestly, it’s difficult to even describe how I feel right now. I just want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my team, supporters, and everyone who kept believing in me. This moment means a lot, and I’m truly grateful.”   Top 5 Fastest – Race 2 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (20’02.096s) 2. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (20’02.226s) 3. MCKINLEY KYLE PAZ – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (20’02.673s) 4. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (20’02.865s) 5. MUHAMMAD FAEROZI TOREQOTTULLAH – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (20’06.674s)

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KASMA STRUCK AT LAST TURN

The Race 1 of the SS600 category at Round 2 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 delivered breathtaking drama at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand, as Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING snatched an extraordinary victory by the slimmest of margins after a nail-biting final-corner showdown. Kasma emerged victorious in spectacular fashion, edging out Thailand’s Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND by a mere 0.003s after a photo-finish sprint to the chequered flag. Kasma crossed the line in 20’06.403s, with Thanat heartbreakingly close at 20’06.406s, while Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM completed the podium in 20’06.544s, capping off a fiercely contested all-out battle. Drama unfolded from the very beginning as Thanat stormed into the lead at lights out before hometown hero Anupab seizing control of the race. Starting from the second row, Kasma quickly settled into the leading pack, while poleman Wahyu Nugroho of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA, despite starting from the back of the grid following a penalty, carved through the field impressively in the opening laps. The pace at the front was relentless. Lap after lap, the top contenders traded positions in a relentless chess match at over 250km/h. Anupab led early proceedings before McKinley Kyle Paz of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING surged into contention midway through the race, briefly taking control as the front five remained separated by mere tenths of a second. By Lap 8, tension reached boiling point as McKinley launched repeated attacks on Thanat, eventually muscling his way through, only for the order to shuffle again moments later. Entering the closing laps, it became a four-rider battle involving Thanat, Anupab, Kasma and McKinley, with every braking zone turning into an overtaking opportunity. On Lap 11, McKinley suffered a costly slide at the final turn while fighting at the sharp end, leaving the battle for victory wide open heading into the final lap. Thanat looked destined for a memorable home triumph, leading into the final corner with Anupab and Kasma right behind. But Kasma had one final gamble left. Diving aggressively to the inside on a tighter line, the Malaysian rider powered side-by-side with Thanat in a breathtaking drag race to the finish line, winning by the tiniest of margins in one of the closest finishes. Kasma said: “Honestly, it was a really tough race for me today. We were battling hard from the beginning, and at one point I even dropped to fourth and fifth position as we kept overtaking each other lap after lap. It was a crazy and demanding race. In the first two or three laps, I focused on managing my tyres because I knew if I pushed too hard too early, I would lose performance near the end. So I stayed patient and waited for the right moment to attack. Alhamdulillah, there was a bit of luck for me again in the final corner, just like last year when I won the championship title. At that moment, I told myself, ‘This is the time to attack,’ and thankfully everything worked out. I’m very grateful for today’s result, and tomorrow we will push for even more.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (20’06.403s) 2. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (20’06.406s) 3. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (20’06.544s) 4. HERJUN ATNA FIRDAUS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (20’06.743s) 5. WAHYU NUGROHO – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (20’07.853s)

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ANUPAB STAMPED AUTHORITY

Home hero Anupab Sarmoon stamped his authority on the opening day of Round 2 in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 after delivering a commanding performance in the SS600cc category at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand. The YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM rider emerged as the benchmark across all three practice sessions, steadily raising the pace each time he hit the track before eventually setting the fastest combined lap of 1’39.402s in Practice 3. More impressively, Anupab consistently looked in control around the fast and technical circuit, combining blistering corner speed with remarkable straight-line performance, reaching a top speed of 257.80km/h in Practice 2. While the Thai rider led the charge, the battle behind him was anything but settled. Indonesia’s Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM stayed firmly in contention throughout the day and closed the gap significantly in the final outing. Herjun posted a strong 1’39.568s in Practice 3, just 0.166s adrift of Anupab, signaling that the fight for pole position and race victory is far from over. Malaysia’s Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin also reasserted himself as a serious contender after bouncing back strongly in Practice 3. The HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING rider improved his pace to 1’39.598s, ending the day third overall and only 0.196s behind the leader in an incredibly tight top three battle. Thailand’s Thanat Laoongplio ensured local riders remained firmly in the spotlight as the HONDA RACING THAILAND rider consistently featured among the front-runners in every session. Thanat wrapped up the day fourth overall with a best lap of 1’39.726s, further highlighting the growing strength of the Thai contingent on home soil. Not far behind was Malaysia’s Khairul Idham Pawi from IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, who steadily built momentum throughout the sessions before climbing into the top five in Practice 3 with a time of 1’39.749s. Khairul looked increasingly comfortable as conditions evolved, adding another experienced challenger into an already stacked field. Earlier in Practice 1, the pace had already hinted at the intensity to come, with the top five separated by less than half a second. Anupab drew first blood with a 1’40.162s effort, narrowly edging Kasma and McKinley Kyle Paz of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING, while Thanat and Muhammad Helmi Azman completed a fiercely contested top five. Anupab expressed, “We had a really positive day today and managed to perform well in all three practice sessions. Session by session, we kept improving the bike and understanding the track better, so that gives us a lot of confidence moving forward. Racing at home always brings a special feeling because we can feel the support from the local fans and everyone cheering for us. That motivation gives us extra energy and determination every time we go out on track. We know the expectations are high, but we are ready to give everything we have. Tomorrow will be another important challenge, and we will fight as hard as possible in qualifying and the race. We’ll continue pushing together as a team and hopefully make our home supporters proud with a strong result.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE 1. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (1’39.402s) 2. HERJUN ATNA FIRDAUS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (1’39.568s) 3. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (1’39.598s) 4. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (1’39.726s) 5. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (1’39.749s)

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ANUPAB HUNTS REDEMPTION AT HOME

Thailand’s Anupab Sarmoon returns to familiar ground at Chang International Circuit for Round 2 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026, determined to turn disappointment into momentum in the SS600 category. Representing YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM, Anupab enters the weekend with unfinished business, both from the opening round of the season and from the heartbreak of 2025, where he narrowly missed out on the championship despite finishing level on points with the eventual title winner. His 2026 campaign began with promise at Sepang International Circuit, securing an impressive second-place finish in Race 1. However, Race 2 brought misfortune, as a crash derailed what could have been another strong result. Although he managed to remount and salvage four points, it was a costly setback in the early stages of the title fight. Despite carrying a minor injury into Round 2, Anupab remains confident in his physical condition and ready to push. “I’m feeling okay overall. I picked up a minor injury on my left shoulder, but it’s nothing that will hold me back. Physically, I’m in good shape, and mentally I feel ready to get back on the bike and fight again.” Reflecting on the missed opportunity in Sepang International Circuit, Anupab does not hide his disappointment, but it has only strengthened his resolve. “Of course I’m disappointed with the result in Race 2. Only coming away with four points is not what we were aiming for. But in racing, these things happen. What matters now is how I respond. I’m determined to come back stronger and fight even harder in this round.” The crash itself, he explained, was a reminder of how quickly conditions can change at the highest level. “From what I felt, the surface was a bit damp in that section, and it caught me out. It’s one of those moments you learn from. I’ve taken it positively, and I’m coming into this round with a much more focused and optimistic mindset.” As the championship moves to Chang International Circuit, Anupab’s approach is no hesitation, only forward momentum. “When I line up on the grid, there’s only one thing in my mind, to move forward as quickly as possible and fight with everything I have. I want to be aggressive, but also smart, and make every lap count.” The return to Chang International Circuit also brings back memories of last season’s dramatic finale, where the title slipped away by the narrowest of margins. Yet for Anupab, that chapter has already been closed. “Last year was difficult to accept, especially missing out on the championship like that. But that’s racing, anything can happen. I’ve learned to move on from it, and now my full focus is on this season. I’m here to give my best and fight for every opportunity.” With motivation running high, home support behind him, and a point to prove, Anupab arrives in Chang International Circuit not just looking for results, but redemption.

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KASMA DELIVERS HOME GLORY

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, witnessed a spectacular showdown in the SS600 category as Malaysia’s Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING surged to a brilliant Race 2 victory in front of a passionate home crowd. At the start, Wahyu Nugroho of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA launched strongly, but it was Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND who quickly slipped into the lead. Malaysia’s Khairul Idham Pawi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA settled into third, while Anupab Sarmoon’s race took an early setback after a fall, forcing him out of podium contention despite rejoining the race. By Lap 2, the momentum shifted as Khairul spotted an opening and made a decisive move to take the lead. Close behind, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin capitalised on the opportunity, following Khairul through to position himself firmly at the front. The turning point came on Lap 3 when Kasma unleashed a blistering pace, clocking the fastest lap of 2’10.730s before executing a clean overtake on Khairul to seize control of the race. Wahyu held third, with Muhammad Helmi Azman and Herjun Atna Firdaus slotting into fourth and fifth respectively. As the race progressed into Lap 4, Kasma maintained his advantage while a trio of Honda riders—Thanat, Helmi, and Khairul—gave chase. Helmi, the Race 1 winner, began to show strong pace, climbing to third and steadily closing in on the leading duo. Behind them, Herjun moved past Wahyu to join the front battle. Lap 5 saw further drama as McKinley Kyle Paz of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING produced an impressive charge, slicing through the pack to climb into fourth position after overtaking Herjun, Khairul, and Wahyu in quick succession. By Lap 7, Kasma continued to dictate the race at the front, but Helmi had moved up to second after overtaking Thanat and was now within striking distance, just 1.798s behind. Thanat, meanwhile, remained firmly in contention, shadowing Helmi in the battle for the podium. On Lap 8, Kasma held steady under pressure, maintaining a consistent rhythm as Helmi attempted to bridge the gap while also keeping a safe margin ahead of Thanat. In the end, Kasma delivered a flawless performance to clinch victory with a winning time of 21’59.305s. Helmi crossed the line in second, just 1.442s behind at 22’00.747s, while Thanat completed the podium in third with a time of 22’02.228s. Kasma said, “I’m really surprised, but I knew we had the potential to be at the front. It was just about staying calm and understanding the bike better. Alhamdulillah, thanks to the team and everyone who came to support us. Racing in Malaysia is always special, and the fans are incredible. At the start, I wanted to attack early because if I waited, I might have destroyed my tyres lap by lap. Alhamdulillah, what I achieved today is a blessing from Allah.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (21’59.305s) 2. MUHAMMAD HELMI AZMAN – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (22’00.747s) 3. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (22’02.228s) 4. MCKINLEY KYLE PAZ – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (22’07.497s) 5. FADILLAH ARBI ADITAMA – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (22’09.157s)

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HELMI REIGNS AS KING OF SEPANG

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 delivered a gripping Race 1 in the SS600 class at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, where home hero Muhammad Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA rose above early setbacks to secure a hard-fought victory in front of the home crowd. The drama began even before lights out, as Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA was forced to retire during the warm-up lap due to a technical issue. Once the race got underway, Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND made a lightning start to lead the pack, followed by Wahyu Nugroho of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA and Malaysia’s Khairul Idham Pawi. However, Khairul wasted no time asserting himself, quickly surging into the lead. By Lap 2, Khairul led the charge, with Anupab Sarmoon just 0’141s behind, followed by Wahyu and Thanat, while Helmi had worked his way into fifth ahead of 2025 champion Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING. The battle intensified on Lap 3 when Anupab clocked the fastest lap of 2’11.198s to take over the lead, only for Khairul to respond immediately and reclaim the position. The relentless exchanges continued into Lap 4, where Helmi made a decisive move up the order, overtaking Wahyu to place himself firmly in podium contention behind Khairul and Anupab. Lap 5 marked a turning point in the race. While Anupab made another move on Khairul, Helmi capitalised brilliantly, slipping through unnoticed to seize the lead. From there, the Malaysian began to dictate the pace, with Anupab and Khairul in pursuit and Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM joining the leading group. Helmi maintained control on Lap 6, as Herjun posted the fastest lap of 2’11.120s to close in, while the top five remained tightly packed. On Lap 7, Helmi responded emphatically with a fastest lap of 2’10.828s, holding off relentless pressure from Anupab, Khairul, Wahyu, and Herjun. The pace intensified further on Lap 8, with Anupab hitting top speeds of 250 km/h and setting the fastest lap of 2’10.728s, but Helmi remained composed at the front. The race took another dramatic twist on Lap 9 when Khairul crashed out at Turn 4 while chasing second, promoting Wahyu and Herjun up the order. Heading into the final lap, Helmi led the charge ahead of Anupab, with Herjun moving past Wahyu into third. McKinley Kyle Paz of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING joined the top five as the battle reached its climax. Despite immense pressure from Anupab throughout the final sector, Helmi held his nerve and crossed the line in 21’58.392s, sealing a sensational victory and reaffirming his reputation as the “King of Sepang.” Anupab finished just 0.293s behind at 21’58.685s, while Herjun completed the podium at 22’02.372s after a consistent and determined ride. Helmi said, “From the test day, I struggled a lot with my bike because this year we are using a new ECU, so we had to start from zero and couldn’t rely on last year’s data. Even in qualifying, the bike had no power due to an issue with the ECU. But for the race, we worked hard to improve, and Alhamdulillah, we managed to fix it. I also crashed this morning at the beginning of qualifying, which affected my confidence, but I told myself to stay focused and calm. In the end, I achieved this result, and it means a lot because this is my dream when I come here. I want to thank my team for their hard work, and also ask everyone to pray for my chief mechanic, Fahmi. He couldn’t be here, I miss him, and I hope he recovers and returns for the next round.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. MUHAMMAD HELMI AZMAN – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (21’58.392s) 2. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (21’58.685s) 3. HERJUN ATNA FIRDAUS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (22’02.372s) 4. WAHYU NUGROHO – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (22’02.594s) 5. MCKINLEY KYLE PAZ – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (22’04.564s)

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KASMA FIRES EARLY WARNING

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 officially came alive today at the Sepang International Circuit, where Malaysia’s Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING delivered a powerful statement by topping the SS600 combined practice times. Kasma wasted no time asserting his presence in Practice 1, where he set the pace with a rapid 2’10.523s, putting him 0.365 seconds ahead of Khairul Idham Pawi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, who posted 2’10.888s. Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM held third with 2’11.098s, while Muhammad Helmi Azman and Thailand’s Anupab Sarmoon completed the top five in a closely matched opening session. Practice 2 saw Khairul respond with a strong lap of 2’10.834s, placing him at the top of the session, ahead of Kasma, who registered 2’11.042s. Helmi maintained his upward trajectory in third with 2’11.293s, followed by Herjun and Anupab, both displaying consistent and competitive form as the temperatures rose on track. But it was Practice 3 where Kasma delivered his strongest punch of the day. He clocked a blistering 2’10.498s, the fastest time across all sessions. Khairul kept the pressure on with 2’10.794s, and Helmi made it another strong outing for the Malaysian contingent with his 2’11.183s lap. Herjun remained steady in fourth, and Fadillah Arbi Aditama made his way into the top five with a 2’11.732s run. With all sessions results combined, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin emerged firmly as the fastest rider of the day, an important morale boost as he returns to his home circuit with high expectations. Kasma stated, “Everything went well today. The practice sessions were positive and we managed to set good lap times, although it is still not quite as strong as last year. We still need to make some adjustments to the setup. I hope tomorrow in Qualifying we can improve further and achieve a better lap time. I will stay positive, and I hope to secure a front-row position, insyaallah everything will go well.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE 1. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (2’10.498s) 2. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (2’10.794s) 3. HERJUN ATNA FIRDAUS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (2’11.098s) 4. MUHAMMAD HELMI AZMAN – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (2’11.152s) 5. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (2’11.257s)

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HERJUN TAKES ON 2026

As the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship enters the 2026 season, Herjun Atna Firdaus stands at the center of a new era for ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM in the SS600 category. With former teammate Mohammad Adenanta Putra stepping up to ASB1000 and newly crowned AP250 Champion Fadillah Arbi Aditama joining him in SS600, Herjun faces a fresh mix of pressure, opportunity, and motivation. Last season, Adenanta’s strong performances cemented Honda’s presence in the front group. This year, eyes naturally turn to Herjun, now one of the riders expected to carry forward Honda’s momentum in a highly competitive field. But Herjun remains grounded and focused. “I don’t really think of it as ‘my moment’ or a bigger role. But what I can promise is that I will give my absolute best for the team. Every season is a chance to improve, and I want to grow step by step while making sure I contribute positively to ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM in this category.” With Arbi joining him, fresh from a dominant title-winning season in AP250, the internal dynamic at ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM takes on a new dimension. While some riders might feel pressured by a fast teammate stepping up, Herjun sees it differently. “I don’t feel any pressure from having Arbi as my teammate. My focus is always on my own race. But seeing the impact Adenanta made last year, especially with such strong results, motivates me more than anything. It shows what is possible on the Honda. I still have so much to learn, and I want to keep improving so I can match that level.” When asked how he plans to stay ahead of Arbi as the more experienced SS600 rider of the two, Herjun answers humbly but with determination. “Of course, I’ll try my best. Having a champion like Arbi beside me pushes me to be sharper. It’s a healthy motivation because we both want to lift the team. The goal is not just to race each other, but to raise the overall performance of Honda in SS600.” Looking at the wider field, Herjun acknowledges the rising competition in 2026, with both seasoned contenders and emerging threats filling the entry list. “The field this year has many strong and experienced riders. I know the 2026 season won’t be easy at all. But I also know I have to believe in myself. Confidence is important. If I stay focused on improving every session and every race, I can fight for a strong position in the championship.” To handle the growing competition, Herjun has worked closely with the team to ensure he is ready for the challenge technically, mentally, and physically. “We’ve been working hard on getting the best setup to fight the Yamaha bikes because their acceleration was very strong last season. There are many areas I want to improve, and the team is supporting me a lot. This season, I want to show better performance than last year, and hopefully fight closer to the front.” As the season opener at the Sepang International Circuit approaches, Herjun carries a blend of calm focus and renewed ambition. With leadership changes, new team dynamics, and increased responsibility, 2026 could become a defining year in his SS600 journey. ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM believes in him. His fans believe in him. And now, it’s up to Herjun to show the next step of his growth.

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KASMA, GLORY BY INCHES

Kasma didn’t expect to hear his name. Who would have guessed that a few slightly better finishing positions could decide an entire championship? For Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING, that was exactly how the SS600 category of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 unfolded. After finishing fourth in the final race, while his closest rival, Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM came third, Kasma was convinced the title had slipped away. The announcement that he was the overall champion left him both surprised and elated. The championship had been claimed by a razor-thin edge of consistent performance. After last season in ASB1000, Kasma returned to SS600 and had to readapt to the class, the competitors, and the rhythm of the category. Yet the familiarity of SS600 worked in his favor. He didn’t need to dominate every lap. He rode intelligently, made the most of every opportunity, and let experience guide him when the stakes were highest. Each podium, calculated overtake, and point collected reflected the adaptability, skill, and racecraft honed over years at the highest levels. When the championship was finally confirmed, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin didn’t just claim the SS600 title. He turned a season of uncertainties into a triumph even he hadn’t fully anticipated. And now, with the 2025 season etched into history, what remarkable moments will Kasma deliver next?

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THANAT WON, KASMA CHAMPION!

The final race of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand delivered one of the most dramatic and unpredictable SS600 showdowns. Race 2 concluded with Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND won home race, and Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING crowned as 2025 SS600 Overall Champion. As the race started, Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM launched strongly from the grid. However, his early advantage was short-lived as Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING and Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND swept past to take control. By the second lap, the running order shifted again when Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA TNP slotted into the lead, followed closely by Thanat and Kasma. Behind them, Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM carved his way through the pack, overtaking both Kasma and Anupab to climb into third place. The intensity increased as the riders entered the middle stages. Adenanta continued his charge, challenging Thanat and closing in on Apiwath. The two leaders exchanged positions repeatedly, with Thanat momentarily seizing the lead before Apiwath retaliated. Meanwhile, Aldi Satya Mahendra of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA produced a strong surge of his own, overtaking Anupab and gradually inserting himself into podium contention. The race reached a boiling point around lap 6, with Aldi moving up to second place while the front group compressed into a tight, unpredictable six-rider battle. By lap seven, Adenanta briefly took control of the race before Aldi countered to reclaim the lead. The following laps were defined by fierce but clean racing, with Aldi, Kasma, and Anupab locked in a high-speed contest for first place, while Thanat, Adenanta, and Apiwath traded blows for fourth. With the second group rejoining the leaders by lap 10, the fight for the win became a six-way sprint. Thanat produced the fastest lap of the race at 1’39.582s, re-entering podium contention just as the field approached the final lap. What happened next dramatically altered the course of the championship. In the last-lap chaos, Anupab made a decisive move to overtake Aldi and capture the lead. Adenanta then executed a brilliant overtake of his own, momentarily placing himself in position to win both the race and potentially the championship. However, disaster struck when he crashed out, ending his podium hopes and his season-long title pursuit in a single moment. The opening created by the incident allowed Thanat Laoongplio to sweep through and claim a sensational victory on home soil with a winning time of 20’07.296s. Aldi crossed the line in second at 20’07.458s, followed by Anupab in third at 20’07.647s. Despite missing out on the podium, Kasma’s strategic race management and consistent performance watched him secured the SS600 Overall Championship title for season 2025. He ended the season tied with Anupab on 167 points, but his overall results across the year placed him at the top of the standings. Adenanta concluded his campaign in third with 152 points after his unfortunate final-lap exit. Thanat said, “I have waited for this moment for so long! This is my first victory of the season, and winning on my home soil makes it even more meaningful and special. This one is for everyone who never stopped believing in me and has always supported me.” Kasma said, “This is truly a gift from Allah. I still can’t believe it. During the race, I was really nervous and focused on staying safe, just trying to stick with the front group without crashing and hoping for the best. But as I said, this is a blessing from Allah. Even though I didn’t finish on the podium today, I still secured the title. Alhamdulillah, Allah’s grace is boundless.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (20’07.296s) 2. ALDI SATYA MAHENDRA – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (20’07.458s) 3. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (20’07.647s) 4. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (20’08.188s) 5. APIWATH WONGTHANANON – YAMAHA TNP (20’08.226s) TOP 5 – OVERALL RIDER STANDINGS 1. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (167 points) 2. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (167 points) 3. MOHAMMAD ADENANTA PUTRA – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (152 points) 4. WAHYU NUGROHO – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (121 points) 5. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (120 points) TOP 5 – OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS 1. HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (267 points) 2. IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (215 points) 3. HONDA RACING THAILAND (195 points) 4. YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (192 points) 5. ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (190 points)

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