ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM IS AP250 TEAM CHAMPION
Round 5 of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Madras Motor Race Track in Chennai, India would be the one round that Indonesian rider Gerry Salim would be eager to forget. Gerry flew to Chennai with the expectations of taking home the Asia Production 250cc title. But nobody would ever expect that Gerry would crash not just once, but twice, during the Race 1 formation lap. After that bitter experience, a cautious Gerry forewent another podium finish in Race 2.
But every cloud has a silver lining. The rider’s championship will be prolonged to the final round in Buriram, Thailand. However, the title chase among the Asia Production 250cc teams is officially over.
The Astra Honda Racing Team, through the strong performances of its stable of riders, has picked up seven wins, eight podium finishes and 216 points. This places the Astra Honda Racing Team 68 points in front of their closest competitor, the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team. With only one round and 50 championship points left on the table, the Astra Honda Racing Team is now confirmed as the Team Award winner in the Asia Production 250cc class.
Since the Asia Production 250cc class introduction in 2015, the Asian trophy has gone full circle. The first title was won by Takhiro Yamamoto astride a Kawasaki. Yamaha Thailand Racing Team took the 2016 crown through Apiwat Wongthananon. This season, the Team Award trophy will be heading to Indonesia with the Astra Honda Racing Team.w