Kasma Daniel Kasmayuddin delivered on his promise of a final gift to team Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia prior to his departure from the Asian scene for his Moto2 debut in 2020. Race 2 of the SuperSports 600cc at the season finale in Thailand was Kasma’s last chance to bring home a win for the team that had nurtured his transition from underbone to full-frame racing.
The 19-year old traded opening-lap overtakes with polesitter Adam Norrodin (SIC Junior ZK Racing Team) before losing the top spot to 2019 SuperSports 600cc champion, Peerapong Boonlert (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team). Having wrapped up the SS600 Asian title the last time out in Sepang, Peerapong was intent on finishing the 2019 season in style.
Behind Peerapong, Kasma was made to sweat over his second place y persistent attacks from Adam. The intensity of their battle narrowed the gap to Peerapong and Kasma managed to pull ahead of Adam on Lap 7. By Lap 8, Kasma was literally breathing down Peerapong’s neck, 0.2 seconds behind. The Malaysian rider made a successful pass on Lap 9, but Peerapong responded by pushing Kasma down to second on Lap 10.
While Peerapong was preoccupied by Kasma, Adam had arrived to make it a 3-way battle. The three riders were neck to neck as they began the final lap of the race. Adam took the lead on Turn 3 but Kasma got onto the inside of Turn 4 and muscled his way into the front. A smart move by Kasma checked Adam’s advances into Turn 12 and Malaysia’s latest Moto2 debutant stormed into the win with 19’53.494s.
Adam pipped Peerapong to the finish line in second place while Ahmad Afif Amran completed a solo race in fourth. Astra Honda Racing Team’s Andi Farid Izdihar, was next to see the chequered flag in fifth.
While Peerapong did not manage to create a new championship record by taking the highest number of wins in a season, he did break the three-century point by scoring an even 300 at the top of the championship table. Kasma Daniel cemented his second overall position with 224 points while Adam settled for third with 170 points.
The Yamaha Thailand Racing Team was also confirmed as the team winner with 300 points.