It may be the final leg of the 2016 season in the Asia Road Racing Championship, but the SuperSports 600cc provisional entry list looks to be promising a cracker of a race on December 3 and 4.
At the top of the agenda, is of course, the 4-way fight for the SuperSports 600cc title. Tomoyoshi Koyama, Zaqhwan Zaidi, Yuki Takahashi and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman are still scrabbling for the ultimate Asian motorcycling prize. Apart from Koyama, the other three protagonists have all won the titles in previous years. Takahashi is the defending champion while Zaqhwan took the honours in 2014, Azlan in 2013.
Statistically, Takahashi has the best track record at the Chang International Circuit. In 2015, the MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda rider was unbeatable on this battlefield – with four wins to his name. But earlier this year, both Koyama and Zaqhwan have taken one win each during the second round.
But title fight aside, a number of interesting wildcards and replacement entries will be adding spice to an already exciting race.
Current WSS riders Zulfahmi Khairuddin and Hikari Okubo will be making an appearance. The Malaysian rider will wildcard as Azlan’s team mate for team BikeART Racing Kawasaki. Okubo, the first Asia Dream Cup Champion in 2012, will be replacement rider for T.Pro Yuzy Honda NTS WoW, taking the place of Sarath Kumar who was injured during the Indian round.
Yamaha Thailand has brought in 2009 champion Chalermpol Polamai who had just wrapped up the All Japan Championship as the vice-champion in the JRR ST600 class. He will be racing alongside long-time team mate Decha Kraisart and Anucha Nakcharoensri.
AP Honda Racing Thailand has also decided to add a wildcard with Japanese ace Tatsuya Yamaguchi.
Andhi Farid Izdihar will be filling in for Gerry Salim who was injured in a national championship prior to the ARRC finale.