HIGH PROFILE COMEBACKS AND NEWBIES IN 2020 SS600

High profile comebacks and newcomers are the order of the day in the SuperSports 600cc (SS600) category this year.

Even before the inclusion of wildcards, the SS600 grid has expanded by 35% with the influx of new teams – many of them bringing exciting comebacks and talented raw talent into the class.

With the departure of Peerapong Boonlert to Europe, Ratthapong Wilairot will shoulder the responsibility of team YAMAHA Thailand Racing Team’s title defense. The 2018 SS600 Asian champion is expected to square off against the equally seasoned Ahmad Yudhistira, who is also making his own 600cc comeback.

However the 600cc title chase is not expected to be confined between the two senior riders. ZK Racing has recently announced that it will pair talented siblings Adam Norrodin and Ibrahim Norrodin for 2020. The two brothers are known as Sepang experts and can be expected to mount a serious challenge for the crown.

Akeno Speed YAMAHA Racing, owned by former ARRC rider Makoto Inagaki, will be making a return following a short hiatus. The team has earmarked Yusuke Nakamura and Soichiro Minamimoto for this season’s challenge.

Japanese team SpeedHeart DOGFIGHTRACING JP YAMAHA brings more Japanese talent into the class with Rie Toshima in their line-up.

Malaysian Ahmad Afif Amran will team up with young Filipino talent McKinley Kyle Paz in the YAMAHA GEN BLU Racing Team.

Of course, Muklada Sarapuech’s first official SS600 race will draw much attention. The A.P. HONDA Racing Team rider is expected to continue breaking records in the 600cc class.

YAMAHA Racing Indonesia’s Faerozi Toreqottullah along with Troy Alberto from team Honda Philippines Okada Manila Access Plus Racing are also expected to be in the spotlight.

ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team will pair Ramdan Rosli with newcomer Nazirul Izzat Bahauddin in the SS600 class. Ramdan, who struggled with consistency issues in 2019, has the potential to be a title contender this season.