The Asia Production 250cc of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is bound to get feistier in the season finale at Chang International Circuit which will take place this weekend. With the likes of teammates Herjun Atna Firdaus and Md Kiandra Ramadhipa of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM against Md Faerozi Toreqotullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia, it is a race not to be missed!
It has been quite an overwhelming season for the AP250 riders but duo of ASTRA HONDA has stayed above the rest in their bid to secure the finest spot on the chart. Herjun of course would not give in to a debutante considering his prowess and years in the race category but Ramadhipa is not one to shy away from the limelight too. The battle between the teammates while has been relentless has also been a powerful motivational force that drove both towards multiple victories. Herjun currently takes lead with six podium-finish including two wins whereas Ramadhipa takes second on the chart with three podium-finish including a double-win. Will the dynamic duo be able to ward off the threats ahead?
Commenting on the race, Herjun said, “I believe that we can work as a team to keep the contenders at bay. Our team is always prepared and they are all about us making it at the top. It would definitely be a competitive round at Chang – from start to completion especially at the final turn where the drama unfolds. I like the circuit and I have had my special moments there when I won the Thailand Talent Cup in 2018. So, I am pretty confident, I would say! But of course, everyone wants the fine piece of the pie but I want it more and I am almost there. Next round, I will follow ASTRA HONDA’s rider formation and go all out towards victory. I want to move on to the next level. My body is too big for AP250 already!”
Ramadhipa on the other hand said, “We will definitely fight in our own ways and capacities with the same goal – to win! My current challenge is the RPM limitations and I am trying my best to optimise the potentials of the machine for a maximised outcome. The Chang circuit is quite tricky for our machine but what I love about it is the long-straight in sectors 1 and 2. There are the low-speed corners too which need more acceleration which could be a challenge for us. Our goal of course is to become a champion for sure but again there are many of us with the opportunities and its all about striking while the iron is hot. I will continue to be in the moment and do my best.”
Shying away with a 2-point difference at the third spot is Faerozi who shot to fame this season with his brilliant and competitive stride. If last season was a bummer for the Indonesian lad, this year came along with his A-game with three wins and two podium-finish. The rider took home a 25-point in Race 1 during the season opener at Chang circuit which also means that Faerozi is one-up on the circuit ground. Will he be able to replicate the victorious moves is but a question that comes with greater disputes. Faerozi has nevertheless come a long way and what other better way to justify his accomplishments if not with a win?
Faerozi said, “The first win at Chang changed my perspective of the overall season. It gave me enough fighting spirit to be on the podium in the consequent rounds. Not only that, racing on the Yamaha YZF-R3 machine for the first year has given me a lot of advantages throughout and I am pretty confident that I will be able to put on a good showdown in the season finale. I like the Chang circuit but I am also sure that all the other riders have their own advantages there too. So, we shall see. Overall, this season has been a great one for me. It is a total package – great machine, experience and team work. This has also given me the boost that is needed to perform better and fight for podium. The primary challenge is definitely the possibilities of becoming a champion which also means bucking up and no more fooling around. My goal is only one – to be the AP250 Asian Champion!”
Malaysian rider, Md Syarifuddin Azman of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing Team is not far off and its all about pulling in the right stunts at the season finale. The rider finished podium twice this season and clearly, it has been quite a struggle for him however the opportunity is open and with the right and much-needed moves, he might just be in for a celebration.