After years of fighting through highs, lows, and long stretches of silence on the podium, Peerapong Luiboonpeng enters the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 season ready to rewrite his story in the AP250 category. The ONE FOR ALL rider steps into a new chapter after spending recent seasons in UB150, carrying the weight of experience, resilience, and renewed belief, strengthened by an unforgettable moment last year when he finally stood on the top step again.
In Round 6 of the 2025 season, at his home race in Thailand, Peerapong broke a six-year drought to claim an emotional victory that meant far more than a single win. Reflecting on that moment, he shared, “It was the goal that my team and I had been fighting for during the past six years. That victory brought back so much confidence. It reminded us that all the effort, all the patience, and all the belief were worth it. It’s a feeling that motivates me heading into 2026.”
This year, Peerapong returns to the AP250 category, a class he last competed in back in 2017. Nine years on, the landscape has changed, the competition is sharper, and the machines have evolved. “Back in 2017 and now, the bike model plays a huge role in the AP250 fight. But this season we’re using the Yamaha R3, the bike I feel most comfortable with and have trained on consistently. That gives me confidence to adapt quickly.”
But the step back into AP250 is far from easy. With faster riders, stronger teams, and tighter lap times than ever before, Peerapong knows the challenge ahead is immense. “This year’s AP250 race is a very tough one for me because many of the riders have competed here consistently. The pace is high, the experience level is high, and I know I have a lot of work to do.”
However, his years in UB150 have equipped him with valuable strengths that he believes will carry over into this new campaign. “Racing UB150 taught me a lot, especially about maintaining concentration and solving problems immediately during intense pack battles. Those skills will help me a lot as I adapt to AP250 again.”
As for expectations, Peerapong’s answer is simple but powerful, “We are competing to win. My team and I will do our best to fight for victory.”
With a highly competitive AP250 entry list for 2026, identifying rivals is difficult, but Peerapong remains open and focused. “Honestly, all the racers are talented. We’ll have to see how things develop at the first race. From there, we’ll know where we stand and what we need to improve.”
Now, with Sepang International Circuit hosting the season opener, Peerapong enters 2026 with a mix of gratitude, determination, and quiet fire. His long-awaited victory last year reignited something powerful, and AP250 might just be where that fire burns brightest.