An unexpected battle between SuperSports 600cc newcomers Peerapong Boonlert and Muhamad Adam Mohd Norrodin is on the cards as the clock ticks down to the first two races of the season at the Sepang Circuit this weekend.
Thai rider Peerapong Boonlert, newly arrived in the sophomore class after spending two years in the Asia Production 250cc category, is also a 2-times Suzuka 4 Hour Champion. The Yamaha Thailand Racing Team rider checked in as the fastest rider of the group with 2’10.610s.
0.324s behind, Malaysian rider Muhamad Adam Mohd Norrodin is living it up on his team’s home track. Adam, who races under the SIC Junior ZK Racing team colours, was a Moto3 rider for three seasons. The 21-year-old Malaysian racing star clocked 2’10.934s as the second fastest 600cc rider of the day.
Behind the two leaders, nine other riders managed to lap within 2’11s. Mohd Ramdan Rosli was the third fastest of the day with 2’11.027s followed by AzroyHakeem Anuar fourth with 2’11.168s and Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin fifth with 2’11.189s.
Mohd Helmi Azman, now carrying the trademark Musashi number 634, seems to be feeling the weight of expectations. After lapping at the top of the timesheets during the pre-season test, the Malaysian rider dropped to sixth fastest with 2’11.254s.
The best performing Indonesian rider on the 14-rider grid was Andi Farid Izdihar from the Astra Honda Racing Team, seventh with 2’11.314s.
Ahmad Afif Amran, Passawit Thitiravararak and Kritchaporn Kaewsonthi also made it into the top 10.