Supersports 600

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)

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)

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.

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?

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)

Round 6 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 delivered a thrilling Race 1 in the SS600 class at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand, where Thailand’s Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA TNP stormed to a commanding victory in front of his home crowd. At the start, Indonesia’s Aldi Satya Mahendra of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA launched strongly to lead the field, only to be overtaken by Apiwath and Thailand’s Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM. The race took an early twist as championship contender Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM crashed out of contention. By Lap 2, Anupab led the pack with Apiwath close behind, followed by Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING, and Kitsada Tanachot of HONDA RACING THAILAND. Early incidents saw Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and Kitsada crash, narrowing the competition. Anupab set the fastest lap time 1’40.180s on Lap 3, but the lead continued to change hands. By Lap 5, Apiwath recorded a blistering lap time 1’39.761s to claim the front position, closely pursued by Kasma and Thanat, while Anupab temporarily dropped to fifth. The intensity escalated as Aldi boldly surged to the lead, with Thanat second, Apiwath third, and Anupab fourth. Multiple overtaking attempts reshuffled the front group, but Apiwath remained relentless, timing his decisive attack to perfection. On Lap 11, he powered past the leaders, setting a pace no one could match, with Anupab in hot pursuit until the finish. Crossing the line first, Apiwath clocked a winning time of 20’06.029s, followed by Anupab at 20’06.295s and Aldi in third at 20’06.618s. Apiwath said, “It was a crazy race, so many overtakes from the beginning until the end. Big battles everywhere. For me, it was very exciting to return to SS600 and race again. I felt confident with the bike, and I want to thank my team for all their support.” Updated standings after Race 1, Kasma leads with 154 points, Adenanta is second with 152 points, and Anupab is third with 151 points. With just three points separating these three riders, Race 2 promises to be intense and a race to watch. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. APIWATH WONGTHANANON – YAMAHA TNP (20’06.029s) 2. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (20’06.295s) 3. ALDI SATYA MAHENDRA – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (20’06.618s) 4. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (20’06.744s) 5. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (20’06.977s)

Round 6 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 ignited today at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand, where the SS600 class saw riders push the limits during three competitive practice sessions. Khairul Idham Pawi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA set the pace for the weekend, topping the combined practice results with a fastest lap of 1’39.587s in Practice 3. Despite a minor setback earlier in the day, Khairul demonstrated resilience and precision to secure the benchmark lap ahead of tomorrow’s Qualifying session. Close behind, Thailand’s Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM posted 1’39.625s for second overall, while Malaysia’s Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING completed the top three with 1’39.684s. Fourth place went to Khairul’s teammate, Muhammad Helmi Azman (1’39.709s), and Thailand’s Apiwath Wongthananon rounded out the top five with 1’39.756s. Khairul stated, “In this morning’s Practice 1, I felt better compared to the previous round. During Practice 2, I crashed at Turn 4, but thanks to my mechanics who worked tirelessly to get my bike ready for Practice 3, I was able to set the fastest lap time. I hope tomorrow will be even better than today.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE RESULT 1. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (1’39.587s) 2. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (1’39.625s) 3. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (1’39.684s) 4. MUHAMMAD HELMI AZMAN – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (1’39.709s) 5. APIWATH WONGTHANANON – YAMAHA TNP (1’39.756s)

  SuperSports 600cc race category of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship certainly unveiled a twist and the unexpected side of home-boy Syarifuddin Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA in Round 5 who emerged with a flawless strategy to swipe a victorious double-win, instantly defeating chart topper Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and fellow countryman, Kasma Daniel of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING. While his chances of making the top three cut are slim, the odds have definitely been a valuable lesson that nothing is impossible in motorsports. With an 8-point difference between Adenanta and Kasma, it boils down to the implementation of strategies including taking calculated risks, managing expectations and moving swiftly against the motion of pressure in the season finale. Both the riders from the neighbouring countries have stamped an exceptional track record in the race category throughout the season with Adenanta holding superiority after marking seven podium-finish including four wins however the challenges inevitably lie in the unexpected nature of the sports and with that, it is a matter of luck and time when a twist of fate could potentially redirect the course. As for Kasma who has withdrawn from the limelight of the premier race category this season, his strategy in SS600 has certainly created waves while simultaneously adding on to the already mounted pressure among the rivals and right now, evidently on Adenanta who will be facing the brunt of rivalry directly from Kasma. Who will withstand the challenges of the circuit? In Round 1, Adenanta celebrated his first victory for the season in Race 1 but he was defeated by Kasma in Race 2. While their level of competencies match, the minor differences is all that matters. Commenting on the upcoming race, Adenanta said, “The coming race is about to get heated for sure. But of course, I want to do my best and avoid mistakes as much as I can although it’s not an easy task considering the close contention from Kasma and Anupab. Let’s see how it goes. The goal is to make it and I hope that while I am at that, luck will also be on my side. It’s just two races but the weekend will surely be a long one – a lot of hard work not only on my side but also on the crew and mechanic’s side. We will look for the best settings for the machine which will help me optimise my performance and with the strategies in place, we hope to make the best and most of the weekend.” “Chang circuit can be tough depending on our riding styles and techniques. It has many stop-and-go corners and exiting the corners is key during racing. The strategies have to align with this and fine tuning my riding techniques are crucial for this. I am 100% compatible with the machine and I think I have found my comfort spot while riding it so I have no issues in that aspect. This season has been a wonderful one for me – almost perfect with its ups and down and the successes and achievements are definitely attributed to my team who has always supported me through good times and bad times. If I own this championship title, this would be the best motivation for my future career.”

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship saw an exhilarating Race 2 in the SS600 class at the Sepang International Circuit, as Malaysia’s Muhammad Syarifuddin Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA secured his first double win on home soil.At the start, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING got off to a strong launch, followed by Muhammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and Syarifuddin in third. By Lap 2, Kasma continued to lead, while Syarifuddin overtook Adenanta to move into second, keeping close to the front runner. Adenanta settled in third, followed by Wahyu Nugroho of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA and his teammate Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah. On Lap 3, Syarifuddin clocked the fastest lap of 2’09.936s, keeping Kasma under pressure as the top two riders pulled a one-second gap from the chasing group. Lap 4 saw Syarifuddin close in on Kasma by 0.147s, with the gap to the second group gradually extending to two seconds by Lap 7. Adenanta held third, while Wahyu and Faerozi rounded out the top five. The decisive moment arrived on the final lap when Syarifuddin seized a daring opportunity on Turn 8 to overtake Kasma. He accelerated decisively and pulled away, crossing the finish line first at 21’50.647s, securing his second victory of the weekend. Kasma took second place at 21’51.524s, while Adenanta completed the podium at 21’53.088s. Syarifuddin said, “I would like to say a big thank you to my team for giving me so much confidence on the bike. During the race, I really enjoyed the opening lap, and then I set the fastest lap time of 2’09.697s. At the end, I tried to find a way to overtake Kasma on the final lap. Kasma blocked the line very tightly, but I saw a small space to pass him, and finally I got through and secured a double win. This is the first time I’ve achieved a double win here on home soil. I can’t even describe how happy I am. Thank you so much to all the supporters who came to cheer for all the Malaysian riders. I love you all!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2