GUPITA, STRONG AT CHANG

The opening practice sessions of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship Round 1 kicked  off with an electrifying display of skill and speed at Chang International Circuit at Buriram, Thailand  earlier today. As the riders geared up for the Underbone 150cc category, the competition heated up with  each passing lap, setting the stage for an adrenaline-fueled weekend. 

In Practice 1, Gupita Kresna Wardhana of 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team emerged as the fastest  rider, setting a blistering pace with a time of 2:00.841s. Following closely behind was Fahmi Basam  from YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA Racing Team, just seconds behind at 2:00.882s. Ahmad Fazrul  Sham of CARDINALS FACTORY RACING TEAM ARRC rounded out the top three with a time of  2:01.030s. 

Practice 2 saw a shakeup in the standings, with M. Murobbil Vittoni of YAMAHA LFN HP969  INDONESIA Racing Team claiming the top spot with a time of 2:00.914s. Despite facing some  challenges, Ahmad Fazrul Sham maintained his competitive edge, securing the second-fastest time at  2:01.201s. Farres Putra Mohd Fadhill, also from CARDINALS FACTORY RACING TEAM ARRC,  showcased his skill with a time of 2:01.294s, rounding out the top three.

However, it was not without drama, as Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin, the defending Champion,  encountered bike issues during Practice 2. Despite this setback, Nazirul demonstrated resilience,  rejoining the track and battling for position until the final lap. In a thrilling finish, Ahmad Fazrul Sham  and Farres Putra Mohd Fadhill managed to overtake Nazirul, securing second and third place  respectively, while Nazirul settled for fourth. 

The combined fastest lap times from Practice 1 and Practice 2 further highlight the fierce competition  in the Underbone 150cc category. Gupita Kresna Wardhana maintained his dominance, topping the  charts with a time of 2:00.841s from Practice 1, closely followed by Fahmi Basam at 2:00.882s from  Practice 1 followed by M. Murobbil Vittoni at 2:00.914s from Practice 2. 

Gupita said, “I was rather pleased during Practice 1 today as I achieved a commendable lap time.  However, in practice 2, my engine encountered some troubles, thus preventing me from replicating the  same lap time as in Practice 1. Nevertheless, I am looking ahead to tomorrow’s qualifying, superpole,  and the race. I am committed to putting in the hard work necessary to secure a top position. Hopefully,  I can clinch the podium in race 1.”