Indonesian rider Gerry Salim became the first Indonesian to win the Asia Production 250cc category after an inch-perfect performance in Race 1 of the season opener at the Johor Circuit.
Starting the 12-lap race from third on the grid, Gerry grabbed the holeshot ahead of polesitter Anupab Sarmoon from team Yamaha Thailand Racing. Gerry, along with Anupab and 2015 250cc champion Takehiro Yamamoto quickly established themselves as the leaders of the race. Despite the frequent overtaking around the 3.86km circuit, Gerry was consistently in the lead when the pack crossed the start/finish line.
The Indonesian rider kept a cool head and defeated the rigorous assault from Yamamoto to clinch the win with a time of 20’52.279s, only 0.055s in front of the Sidrap Honda Ikazuchi rider. Anupab ended the race in third place with 20’52.738s.
“The bike was really good and I must thank my team for their hard work. The only thing that put a damper on our race was the weather. It was really difficult conditions out there. I hope the skies will clear up so that we can have a better race in Race 2,” said Gerry who was also the only rider to have won both SuperSports 600cc and Asia Production 250cc races in the Asian series so far.
Behind the leading trio, Astra Honda’s debutants Rheza Danica Ahrens and Awhin Sanjaya put in creditable performances with a fourth and fifth place finish respectively. Rheza stopped the clock at 20’58.657s while Awhin posted 21’01.623s at the head of the second group.
Former SuperSports 600cc rider, Tomoyoshi Koyama ended his first 250cc race in seventh place while the sole Kawasaki on the grid finished eighth.