2-times Suzuka 4 Hour Champion, Peerapong Boonlert, placed himself and his Yamaha YZF-R6 at the top of the timing sheets during the first day of pre-season tests for the 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship.
The newly revamped 600cc class has resulted in a grid split evenly among familiar names and new upcoming young riders from the Asian region. The YAMAHA Thailand Racing Team rider led the first day of pre-season tests with 2’11.900s.
Behind Peerapong, 2018 Underbone 150 winner Mohd Helmi Azman has proven his chops astride the Honda CBR600RR when he clocked second fastest with 2’12.189s. The Musashi Boon Siew Honda Racing Team rider is no stranger to the Sepang Circuit. In 2018, Helmi finished second overall in the local MSBK races.
Indonesia’s Andi Farid Izdihar is also looking comfortable in third. Andi, who races for the Astra HONDA Racing Team, posted 2’12.476s in the first practice session.
Malaysians Azroy Hakeem Anuar, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin and Ahmad Afif Amran, all of whom have had at least a full season in the 600cc class, clocked fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
Newcomers to the class, Passawit Thitivararak, 2018 Asia Production 250cc champion Rheza Danica Ahrens, Malaysian Moto3 rider Adam Norrodin, and KritchapornKaewsonthi rounded up the top 10.