The UB150 class in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship had long been considered as the highest level of competition for the genre of underbone racing anywhere in the world. The unique heritage race that began in the South East Asian triumvirate – Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia – had, in recent years, garnered a lot of attention and interest from other Asian nations such as Vietnam, Myanmar, and the Philippines to name a few.
In 2018, changes to the tyre regulations will see Dunlop Moto3 medium compound tyres fitted on all Underbone 150 bikes competing in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship.
The change was noticeably almost immediately. During the Championship’s pre-season test at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand, Wahyu Aji Trilaksana posted a new Circuit Record with a time of 2’02.357.
Mohd Amirul Ariff Musa of Yuzy Honda Vietnam Racing clocked second fastest with 2’02.371s followed by Mohd Haziq Mohd Fairues third with 2’02.617s, and Mohd Helmi Azman fourth with 2’02.892s.
Returning champion, Gupita Kresna Wardhana had clearly not lost his touch yet. Making a comeback with Yamaha SND Factory, Gupita was fifth fastest with 2’02.897s.
Defending champion Mohd Akid Aziz got off to a conservative start, he finished the first day in sixth with 2’03.798s.