Supersports 600

Race 2 of Round 3 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, witnessed a victorious moment for the wild card rider from Japan, Kengo Nagao of TEAM KENKEN who nailed the top spot of the podium for SuperSport 600cc category. The scene started with Kengo leading the pack, closely pursued by the duo from IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team, Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Muhammad Helmi Azman at P3. On lap 7, Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team Asia pursuit fiercely, made his way up to P3, followed closely aiming to overtake Azroy. Kengo was consistent maintaining his position at P1, with P2 nearly 5 seconds behind him. On last lap, the race intensified with Azroy, Apiwath and Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM battling for P2. The race concluded with Kengo confortably passing the finishing line at 22’54:596s, Apiwath overtook Azroy to claimed second place at 22’59:080s, and Azroy placed third at 22’59:235s. Kengo said, “I’m absolutely thrilled! Race 1 was a bit challenging with some mechanical trouble, but thanks to the support from my team, today’s race went exceptionally well. Winning this race fills me with immense happiness and satisfaction!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2SS600

The intensity of Race 1 of Round 3 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship continued at Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, with the highly competitive SuperSport 600cc category as Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team Asia emerged victorious, cementing his place at the top of the podium. In the Qualifying session, Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team claimed the pole position with the fastest lap time of 1’53:225s, closely pursued by the wildcard rider, Kengo Nagao of TEAM KENKEN, at 1’53:298s, and Muhammad Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team at 1’53:344s. Azroy wasted no time as the race started by surging to the front but was soon overtaken by Kengo, who led the pack. Behind Kengo and Azroy was Veda Ega Pratama of ASTRO HONDA RACING TEAM, with Apiwath following and Helmi at P5. Entering lap 4, Kengo maintained his position leading the race, and behind him was Apiwath, who slowly made his way from P4 to P2, leaving Azroy and Adenanta at P3 and P4. On lap 8, Kengo made a slight mistake, allowing Apiwath to overtake him, but Kengo managed to reclaim the position on lap 9. However, Apiwath did not stop putting pressure on Kengo by trailing closely behind. On the final lap, as Kengo was expected to win the race, Apiwath stunned everyone when he overtook Kengo in the last corner and crossed the finish line in first place at 22’57:221s. Apiwath said, “The race was truly amazing for me. This weekend posed several challenges, especially on the first day when the setup wasn’t quite right. However, today, I experimented with various adjustments on my bike, and fortunately, it all paid off in a positive way. During the race, I pushed myself to the absolute limit, and to my delight, clinched victory. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to my team for their endless support, as well as to the passionate fans from Thailand who cheered me on every step of the way.” Second place went to Kengo, who concluded the race at 22’57:440s, while Adenanta placed third at 23’01:889s. TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1SS600

The Supersports 600cc category brought the heat to practice sessions at the Round 3 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, held at Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan with Kengo Nagao of TEAM KENKEN topped the practice session that ended on Friday. In Practice 1, Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team ASIA leading the pack with a blazing lap time of 1’55:304s. Muhammad Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team made it second at 1’55:355s followed by Kengo Nagao of TEAM KENKEN at 1’55:367s. In Practice 2, Kengo topped the session with the fastest lap time of 1’54:450s. Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team who clocked his best lap time of 1’54:851s and Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM at 1’54:864s filled the second and third spots respectively. Practice 3 showcased Kengo who continued to impressed with the fastest lap time of 1’53:728s, firmly placed himself in the top spot. Behind Kengo was Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team who made it second at 1’54:324s followed by Adenanta at 1’54:434s. The combined practice results, Kengo appeared as the fastest overall, while Azroy and Adenanta closely followed suit, taking the second and third spots respectively. Kengo said, “Today in FP1 and FP2 I have some minor problem with my machine. But I’m glad our team made improvement, session by session. Overall, it was okay, as my best lap time in this circuit was around 1’52:500s. Also, last year in Sugo round, I secured the pole position, so this time I am aiming the same, and that I can win the race tomorrow.” Fastest Lap Time:Practice Session (Combined)

The intensity of Race 1 of Round 2 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship continued at Zhuhai International Circuit with the highly competitive SuperSport 600cc category as Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team emerged victorious, cementing his place at the top of the podium. In a gripping Qualifying session, Mohammad Adenanta Putra from ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM claimed pole position with a lightning-fast lap time of 1’36:890s, closely pursued by Azroy Hakeem Anuar at 1’37:069s and Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team Asia at 1’37:241s. Azroy wasted no time as the race started by surging to the front of the pack with Apiwath hot on his heels. In a stunning maneuver at the second turn, Apiwath briefly overtook Azroy, setting the stage for an intense battle for the lead. The race witnessed a flurry of position change as Azroy and Apiwath traded places. Despite the pressure from Apiwath, Azroy remained resolute, reclaiming the lead multiple times throughout the race. On the fifth lap, a crash involving Rheza Danica Ahrens from ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM allowing Thanat Laoongplio from Honda Racing Thailand to climb into fifth position. As the race reached its climax, Azroy faced a fierce challenge from Apiwath, who made a valiant effort to overtake him in the final lap. However, Azroy held firm, crossing the finish line in first place at 19’36:159s, closely followed by Apiwath in second with 19’36:542s and Muhammad Helmi Azman from IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team who clocked 19’39:194s in third. Azroy said “I am out of words. Last round in Buriram, I didn’t finish both Race 1 and Race 2. That put me in a bad mood and all I wished for this round was just to complete the race. But when the race started, I saw my lap time was good. Behind me, sometimes I could hear Apiwath close to me, sometime I couldn’t. That’s when I realized that my pace was strong. Apiwath is a dangerous rider. When he overtook me at turn 6, I thought he would win this race but I didn’t want to give up easily, so I kept attacking to pressure him and I won the race. I’m really thankful for my team for putting up the good work, and I will try my best to keep this momentum going for tomorrow’s race 2.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1SS6001.⁠ ⁠Azroy Hakeem Anuar – IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team – 19’36:159s2.⁠ ⁠Apiwath Wongthananon – YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team Asia – 19’36:542s3.⁠ ⁠Muhammad Helmi Azman – IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team – 19’39:194s4.⁠ ⁠Mohammad Adenanta Putra – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM – 19’44:968s5.⁠ ⁠Thanat Laoongplio – Honda Racing Thailand – 19’45:298s Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The Supersports 600cc category brought the heat to practice sessions at the Round 2 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, held at Zhuhai International Circuit, China, with different riders conquering each practice session that ended on Friday. In Practice 1, the track came alive with Muhammad Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team leading the pack with a blazing lap time of 1’39:057s. Apiwath Wongthananon – YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team ASIA made it second at 1’39:647s followed by Mohammad Adenanta Putra – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM at 1’39:832s. In Practice 2, Apiwath asserted his dominance, topping the session with the fastest lap time of 1’45:409s. Wahyu Nugroho of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia who clocked his best lap time of 1’46:441s and Thanat Laoongplio of Honda Racing Thailand at 1’46:783s filled the second and third spots respectively. As Practice 3 started, Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM displayed a impressive performance to clocked fastest lap time of 1’38:474s, solidifying his position as a front runner. Azroy and Rheza continued to impress with fastest lap time at 1’38:766s and 1’38:862s respectively, rounding out the top three position. The combined practice results, Adenanta appeared as the fastest overall, while Azroy and Rheza closely followed suit, intensifying anticipation of a gripping showdown in tomorrow’s Qualifying session as they vie for pole position. Adenanta said, “Today’s practice sessions’ intensity was high, where everyone was giving their very best to be on the top, And alhamdulillah, I clocked the fastest lap time despite the challenge from the wet track condition. There are more room to improve and improvements in terms of setup need to be done for me to perform better in tomorrow’s qualifying.” Fastest Lap Time:Practice Session (Combined) Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The SuperSports 600cc race category posed a challenging twist for the season in the presence of highly robust riders, setting the bar at a different height while pushing their limits towards greater excellence. McKinley Kyle Paz of YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team ASEAN is an addition to the race category with hidden calibre and is all set for Round 2 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship which will be held at Zhuhai International Circuit this weekend. Kyle Paz is no stranger to the ARRC scene. He made a stunning finish in season 2019 when he hailed champion in the Underbone 150cc race category before graduating into the SS600 in Season 2020 with the determination to make it big. His brief entry came to a halt during the 2-year hiatus however with opportunities to soar, he took a leap into the international domain. Returning to ARRC after four years may not necessarily be a drawback considering his time at CEV Moto2 series but having said that, it may not necessarily be an upside as well considering the hard-core bunch making the entry list for the season.  From what was seen in Round 1, Kyle definitely has what it takes to accelerate further into stardom but it will come in various phases, different levels of push and a whole load of exposure and learning in an environment that is rough and tough. Race 2 was a booster that was needed to set the momentum for Kyle in a highly demanding season and with that podium-finish, it is presumed that he would be pumped further to fit the expectations into reality. Commenting on the season, Kyle said, “It is truly great to be back in ARRC after many years. The challenges are real in the sense that I ned more time to get adjusted to a different machine. For the last three years, I have been riding the Moto2 machine and of course, different machines would require different manoeuvring techniques. But my team has been really helpful especially in providing me with an excellent machine which made it quite effortless for me to get adjusted. Round 1 was tough for me though as I started 9th on the gird. My plan was to get along with the pack but unfortunately, the incident before the 1st corner disrupted my pace and I ended up riding alone at the back. In Race 2 however, I was determined to pick up speed from the very beginning. When the race resumed after the red flag, all I ever thought of was to fight a good battle, to make my country proud, to prove that we can fight equally with the best of Asia. I did it and I thank God not only for the safe ride but also a prize on the podium.” “So far, I think the machine has got a good top speed. The machine is a very good one and handling is easy. That is definitely an advantage for us. The team has also prepared the machine well and even though I am still familiarising, surprisingly, I don’t really feel uncomfortable. It is user friendly and I am quite satisfied with it. My riding buddy, Apiwath has been my idol for a long time and he has taught me how to improve my lap time. He allows me to trail him so that I can understand and get into the right pace. I am thankful for him as a teammate and with the chemistry that we both have, I have a strong feeling that we will get through any challenges well, together.” On the circuit, Kyle said, “Zhuhai is my 2nd time racing. I had my first experience there in 2019. But that was in the UB150 race category. Right now, the challenge would be adapting to the circuit with a 600cc machine but I am confident that I will pick up fast especially with the help of my team and with the right setup. The goal is to make it first, just like every other rider. But that will not be possible without the desire and perseverance. We are currently full on, practicing for the coming round here in Philippines with the support of Yamaha Philippines. Every day counts. There is not time to waste. We need to be physically and mentally fit once again for our country! See you Zhuhai. Gaspoll!” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The Supersports 600cc went on swiftly at Chang International Circuit in Race 2 of Round 1 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team ASIA made Thailand proud once again when he concluded the race for the day with yet another victory. Apiwath Wongthananon, taking an early lead at the front of the pack as the race commenced. Close behind him were Muhammad Helmi Azman and Azroy Hakeem Anuar both from IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team, vying for positions in the top three. Apiwath continued to maintain his lead, with Helmi and Azroy in hot pursuit. However, on the fourth lap, a dramatic turn of events unfolded as both Azroy and Helmi suffered crashes. The red flag was raised. After a brief interruption, the race resumed with five laps. Although it was a short period of time, there was a serious battle between the Yamaha and Honda riders. While Apiwath fended his position at P1, Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM went to pressure him in the front troop. At P3 Veda Ega Pratama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM put on a good fight however Mckinley Kyle Paz of YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team ASIA went on to supersede him. At the final lap, while Apiwath went on to claim a double victory, his teammate, Kyle increased his speed after the final turn and bagged the third spot at 8’23:894. Mohammad Adenanta Putra took second place when he logged in at 8’22:053s. Apiwath who clocked in 8’21:918s commented, “I started in a good position, after lap 5, I pushed to maximum because the tyre is very less. But when restarting the race, the tyre was really finishing. Honda riders were very strong, but I’m glad I could fight with them and win the race.” Top 5 Fastest – Race 2 Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship continued with Race 1 in the highly competitive category of Asia Superbike 1000cc. Amidst the excitement and anticipation, Apiwath Wongthananonof YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team ASIA emerged victorious, showcasing exceptional skill and strategy at Chang International Circuit. Apiwath began third on the grid after the Qualifying session with his fastest lap time at 1:38.734s behind duo of the same team, Muhammad Helmi Azman Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team who finished first and second with their fastest lap time at 1:38.600s and 1:38.606s respectively. As the race started, Apiwath was quick to take lead, setting a blistering pace from the outset. Behind him, Helmi and Azroy closely followed, eager to seize the opportunity to challenge the Thailand rider. In a thrilling exchange of positions, Apiwath maintained his lead from the early laps, with Helmi chasing him down furiously. However, Helmi’s determined efforts paid off only for a short while as he overtook Apiwath on the third lap, before theThai lad reclaimed the position. The intensity of the race escalated on the fifth lap as Azroy encountered a crash with Wahyu Nugroho from YAMAHA Racing Indonesia, forcing Azroy out of the race while Nugroho continued without falling. As a result, Wahyu took over P3. Meanwhile, Mohammad Adenanta Putra of Astra Honda Racing Team showcased remarkable resilience as he climbed up the ranks, eventually overtaking Wahyu Nugroho on the seventh lap to bag the third position. In a breathtaking display of speed and skill, ApiwathWongthananon surged ahead in the final laps, leaving a gap between him and Helmi, ultimately crossing the finish line in first position with total time of 20’00:231s. Apiwath Wongthananon expressed gratitude to his team and Yamaha for their support, stating, “Today is a perfect day for me. At the start in Qualifying session, I forgot to concentrate on the game, but I pushed 100% in the race. I am rather grateful that the bike was very fast and easy to ride, thanks to Yamaha for making the necessary settings.” Coming in second was Muhammad Helmi Azman form IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team clocking in at 20’02:752s. Mohammad Adenanta Putra clocked in at 20’03:385s which placed him at the 3rd spot on the podium. Top 5 Fastest – Race 1  Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The excitement was palpable as the Chang International Circuit played host to the opening round of the  IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, featuring the intense battles of the Supersports 600cc  category. Practice sessions saw Apiwath Wongthananon of YAMAHA TEKHNE Racing Team ASIA  pushing the limits, setting the stage for a weekend filled with adrenaline-fueled racing. In Practice 1, Apiwath stormed to the top of the leaderboard with a blistering lap time of 1:38.902s,  showcasing his speed and skill on the track. Rheza Danica Ahrens from ASTRA HONDA RACING  TEAM with his best lap time of 1:39.514s and Muhammad Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU Boon Siew  Honda Racing Team at 1:39.570s were also impressive with their performances, securing the second  and third positions, respectively.  Practice 2 witnessed Apiwath maintaining his momentum, reaffirmed his dominance with another  impressive lap time at 1:38.898s. Azroy Hakeem Anuar from IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team  showcased his consistency, securing the second spot at 1:39.283s, followed closely by Muhammad  Helmi Azman at 1:39.366s.  The intensity reached new heights in Practice 3 as Azroy Hakeem Anuar delivered a stellar  performance, clinching the top spot with the fastest lap time at 1:39.419s. Mohammad Adenanta Putra  from ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM showcased his skill with the best lap time at 1:39.524s, securing  the second position, while Apiwath rounded out the top three at 1:39.555s.  As the combined practice results were unveiled, Apiwath came out fastest for the day with his best lap  time at 1:38.898s. Azroy who clocked the best lap time of 1:39.283s in Practice 2 and Muhammad Helmi  Azman too recorded 1:39.366s in Practice 2 showcased their consistency, securing the second and  third positions, respectively, setting the stage for an electrifying battle in the upcoming races.  Apiwath said “I am happy with the result for today, and I will try more new parts on my bike tomorrow  and see how it goes. For sure, it will be better in the race. Besides that, the weather is very hot and the  track temperature hit 70 degrees Celsius, but I learned how to keep the tyre at minimal consumption. I  am quite confident for this round, Although I must admit that the Honda riders are very fast, but we will  figure out a way for a better performance tomorrow.” Connect with Us! Latest news at asiaroadracing.com

The distinguishing sound of the Super Sports 600cc machine will be heard once again on the vast space of the Chang International Circuit this weekend during the season opener of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Even more exciting is the entry list for the season which will complement the roar of the engines. If last season, Apiwath Wongthananon was seen making strokes in favour of his teammate, Soichiro Minamimoto in locking the championship deal, this year, he will be filling in the vacant spot as the latter graduates into ASB1000 race category. It was a brilliant move by the team, placing Apiwath as a wildcard rider in the grand finale considering his recognizable capacities in conquering the machine and his home-ground circuit. Apiwath may have missed the full-season but what he brought to the table was worthy of an applause. This year, he is full-on to take lead in the narratives of the SS600 race category. It is not an easy feat though with rivals waiting to prey at just about every inch. Striding alongside him would be Pilipino rider, McKinley Kyle Paz. Commenting on the season, Apiwath said, “I am extremely excited to be back in ARRC for a full season. This definitely feels like home to me. Although I am fully aware that this season will be filled with a different kind of challenge for me, I am determined to strike it in the best possible way and make the most of my time here this season. Everyone wants to win for sure so, it is going to be a pretty tight fight. For sure, I have to be very careful. I can’t afford to be careless because these players watch like a hawk for their moment of opportunity. Having onboard with Kyle Paz would be something new as I have not worked with him but I am certainly looking forward to it. It all looks good with the machine and as far as I know, there has not been much changes to it from the last season. We will still use the original specs and test further during the pre-season test. The upside to the season opener would be my home-ground for sure. Chang has always been my favourite racing ground. Having said that, I would still have to practice hard and be more detailed oriented during the race week. Also, I have to constantly remind myself that Chang is also a favourite to many seasoned riders which means, it’s a one up for them too. My overall aim is nothing less than to be a champion.” Of course, with one of the main contenders, Khairul Idham Pawi off to a different play-ground, it would probably be much easier for Apiwath to make his mark. However, it would be presumptuous to claim that it would be touch and go for him with the remaining duo of Boon Siew, Helmi Azman and Azroy Hakeem still on the scene. The dynamic duo has proven their dexterity last season in the midst of the highs and lows. They definitely seemed poised aboard their machines and were bold in their moves in injecting the right amount of pressure on their counterparts. The synergy between the two buddies is exactly what is needed for a more competitive stride in the race category. Commenting on the coming race, Helmi said, “Last year, I was already there, maintaining top three throughout the championship but unfortunately, in the last round at Chang, I struggled with the machine and couldn’t make it with a better result. This season, it is definitely going to be more challenging because there will be many experienced riders as well as new comers. It is pretty clear that Apiwath would be a strong contender as he already gained a different kind of experience at WSSP. Also, he has been in the ASB1000 race category so it would surely be an uphill battle. Machine wise, there has been some improvement compared to last season and the team is working really hard to ensure that the details we struggled with last season are rectified. At Chang, my favourite part would be turn four, there is a fast corner which is crucial in making a good lap time. In terms of preparation, I am focused on building up my physique through bicycle rides. It improves my overall stamina and gives me the advantage of handling the machine better. Personally, SS600 is an interesting race category and what I love most is speed and the weight of the machine which gives a better slide when the throttle is maximised. That feeling is the best for me!” As for Azroy, he said, “Last year has been quite a bitter-sweet experience for me. Somehow, while I did my best and I am sure that I was great with the machine, luck was just not on my side. Therefore, this season is all about redemption. I am in a better space, mentally and emotionally and I am prepared to do better than last season. Keeping my fingers crossed, that luck will be on my side too! As for the rider line-up, it is hard to say who will be my closest contenders. We have quite a strong bunch of them riding this season so we have to wait and see how it goes. In terms of the machine, nothing much has been changes. We will still be using the same machine, like last season. It is all about warming up and getting into the right mindset for now. The Chang circuit is one of the hardest circuits for me to be frank. It is quite hard for me to maximise my speed on each lap. There is also a tricky corner in the second sector which I would need to familiarise and practice on more. At the moment, I focus on my fitness training every single day. It is an important aspect in racing to maintain our physique. The exciting thing about SS600 is that