Supersports 600

The final curtain rises this weekend at Chang International Circuit Buriram, Thailand, as the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2024 reaches its climax. Among the contenders for glory, Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM stands poised for battle. The Indonesian rider entered the SS600 finale just 14 points shy of championship leader Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team ASEAN. Adenanta embodies the spirit of a determined challenger. While Apiwath enjoys the home advantage at a track he has mastered, Adenanta remains unshaken, treating the final round as an opportunity to prove his resilience, skill, and determination to the very end. With consistent performances throughout the season and a deep desire to push his limits, the stage is set for a captivating showdown between these two exceptional riders. Will Adenanta’s calm resolve overturn the odds, or will Apiwath’s dominance at Chang International Circuit seal the title? The answer awaits as the final battle commences. Adenanta shared, “My preparation has been consistent and focused. I’ve been training hard every day, both physically and mentally, to be ready for this final round. I’ll give my best performance and enjoy every step of the journey.” Adenanta’s journey to the final round has been one of resilience. Despite facing setbacks, including a crash in Race 1 of Round 5 that widened the points gap to Apiwath, he has maintained his composure and continued collecting valuable points. He remarked, “From Round 1 to Round 5, I’ve had strong results in most races. While I didn’t always win, I managed to stay consistent. The crash in Round 5 was indeed tough. But it has made me more determined to fight harder for the final round.” With only a 14-point gap separating him from Apiwath, Adenanta remains optimistic about his chances to claim the title. “I know 14 points might seem like a lot, especially since Apiwath is strong at Buriram. But for me, nothing is impossible. I have confidence in my abilities and will give my best until the very last race,” Adenanta stated firmly. During Round 1 at Chang International Circuit Buriram, Adenanta demonstrated his capability with a P3 finish in Race 1 and P2 in Race 2. Heading into the same venue for the finale, his goal is straightforward. “My focus is to finish ahead of Apiwath in both races. It’s as simple as that,” he asserted. When asked about his personal targets, Adenanta said, “Of course, I want to be the champion. But more than that, I want to give my absolute best, improve step by step, and enjoy every session. My priority is to find more speed, set a strong race pace, and stay focused on each lap.” Unbothered by external pressures, Adenanta’s calm mindset is his greatest asset. “I don’t have any major concerns. I just focus on staying positive and enjoying the process because it helps me perform better. A positive mindset is the key to success for me.” As the battle for championship intensifies, with contenders like Apiwath, Adenanta, Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Muhammad Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team all vying for the title, Adenanta’s measured approach and steady focus measure him as a formidable challenger. Ready to give his all, Adenanta is poised to shine in the decisive SS600 finale!

A “DNF” (Did Not Finish) in racing is always a letdown for riders, and IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team rider, Muhammad Helmi Azman’s recent experience at Round 4 IDMTSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia was no exception. After a promising second-place finish in Race 1, the disappointment of a race-ending technical issue in Race 2 was a tough blow. However, Helmi remains focusing on leveraging his upcoming home circuit advantage. With a clear plan and renewed determination, he aims to turn the setbacks into a strong performance in the next round. Helmi shared his experience during Round 4, “Race 1 was a challenging yet satisfying race,” he reflects. “Coming from the back to secure a P2 was a significant achievement, but the engine trouble in Race 2 was a major setback. These setbacks are part of racing, and I’m focusing on bouncing back stronger.” Currently sitting in the top 4 of the overall standings, Helmi is optimistic about his prospects. “I’m feeling positive about my position. There’s always room for improvement, and I’m committed to pushing myself further,” he said. His focus is now on intense training and optimizing performance to secure better results in future races. With the coming round being at his home circuit in PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Helmi sees a significant opportunity. “The home race gives me a great advantage. I know the track well and I’m confident I can use that familiarity to my benefit,” he explained. His goal is clear. It is to break into the top 3 and maximize his points. “I’m aiming for a double win. It’s crucial to capitalize on this opportunity.” Having raced at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit multiple times, Helmi is well-acquainted with the track. “I know the circuit’s nuances, including the key overtaking points and challenging corners,” he said. Despite the preparations, Helmi acknowledges the challenges ahead. “The biggest challenge is maintaining the right feel and confidence on the bike. Ensuring the bike setup is optimal and feel comfortable is key to my performance. If I can manage that, I believe it will greatly enhance my performance.” he admitted.

The roaring sound of machines will once again fill the spaces of the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend as it welcomes Round 5 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing and Kiattisak Singhapong of HONDA Racing Thailand are all geared up for the next challenge that awaits them in the SuperSports 600cc race category. Will they make it top three? It is definitely a much better season for Malaysian rider Azroy in the ARRC after battling the misfortunates of last season. Although he began the season with a double DNF, the rider was not shaken up but instead went full on to recalibrate his fate. In Round 2, Azroy pulled a stunner when he barged towards the chequered flag, taking his first victory for the season and again in Race 1 of Round 4. He currently takes the third spot overall with a total of 84 points and while Sepang could be an added advantage, will luck be on his side this coming round? Commenting on the race, “When racing, incidents are quite normal. What matters most if how quickly we bounce back up. Each year, although I have gained various experience, is still a learning curve for me. I learn new things and I try to keep improving as much as possible. I keep an open mind and this way; I am able to grow faster. This category comes with many young and fast riders. I have to constantly be on par with them. The coming round on my home-ground, while it is an added advantage, it also depends on how quickly we optimise our experience. The goal is to collect as many points and catch up with the little time left. Personally, I think we are very competitive but again, the entire troop is equally good. My training sessions including fitness so that I am physically and mentally prepared each time I am on the machine. My aim is all the way to the top!” Kiattisak on the other hand may be just a rookie in SS600, but the rider has over the last four rounds showcased potential to compete competitively in what is considered a fiery feat. The rider certainly holds the right experiences to blend-in accordingly and while the competition has been tight, Kiattisak diligently delivered consistency before pulling through to make his first podium-finish in Race 2 of Round 4. He currently sits at the fifth spot overall with a total of 74 points, no far off from the top three positions. Would Sepang open a pathway for him to climb up the ladder? Commenting on the race, Kiattisak said, “To me, it has been a very challenging time stepping up from the 250cc race category to the 600cc race category that comes with a big difference. I struggled a lot but I learnt to a great extent the mechanics of controlling the machine and also its character. I recently rode the NFS250 in Asia Talent Cup in Sepang. Continuous corners with high-speed in the circuit is definitely challenging. With the 600cc machine and the race category being more aggressive and faster, there is an advantage in the smoothness when positioning the machine. However, my body is still small and there is a slight imbalance compared to the size of the machine. Part of my routine includes exercising, training on the machine and eating proper meals. Throughout the season, I have learnt a lot from my mistakes and flaws. I tried to adjust as much as possible and adapt as quickly as possible. My goal is to try for the podium and finish in Top Three positions.”