The roaring sound of machines will once again fill the spaces of the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend as it welcomes Round 5 of the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU Boon Siew Honda Racing and Kiattisak Singhapong of HONDA Racing Thailand are all geared up for the next challenge that awaits them in the SuperSports 600cc race category. Will they make it top three?
It is definitely a much better season for Malaysian rider Azroy in the ARRC after battling the misfortunates of last season. Although he began the season with a double DNF, the rider was not shaken up but instead went full on to recalibrate his fate. In Round 2, Azroy pulled a stunner when he barged towards the chequered flag, taking his first victory for the season and again in Race 1 of Round 4. He currently takes the third spot overall with a total of 84 points and while Sepang could be an added advantage, will luck be on his side this coming round?
Commenting on the race, “When racing, incidents are quite normal. What matters most if how quickly we bounce back up. Each year, although I have gained various experience, is still a learning curve for me. I learn new things and I try to keep improving as much as possible. I keep an open mind and this way; I am able to grow faster. This category comes with many young and fast riders. I have to constantly be on par with them. The coming round on my home-ground, while it is an added advantage, it also depends on how quickly we optimise our experience. The goal is to collect as many points and catch up with the little time left. Personally, I think we are very competitive but again, the entire troop is equally good. My training sessions including fitness so that I am physically and mentally prepared each time I am on the machine. My aim is all the way to the top!”
Kiattisak on the other hand may be just a rookie in SS600, but the rider has over the last four rounds showcased potential to compete competitively in what is considered a fiery feat. The rider certainly holds the right experiences to blend-in accordingly and while the competition has been tight, Kiattisak diligently delivered consistency before pulling through to make his first podium-finish in Race 2 of Round 4. He currently sits at the fifth spot overall with a total of 74 points, no far off from the top three positions. Would Sepang open a pathway for him to climb up the ladder?
Commenting on the race, Kiattisak said, “To me, it has been a very challenging time stepping up from the 250cc race category to the 600cc race category that comes with a big difference. I struggled a lot but I learnt to a great extent the mechanics of controlling the machine and also its character. I recently rode the NFS250 in Asia Talent Cup in Sepang. Continuous corners with high-speed in the circuit is definitely challenging. With the 600cc machine and the race category being more aggressive and faster, there is an advantage in the smoothness when positioning the machine. However, my body is still small and there is a slight imbalance compared to the size of the machine. Part of my routine includes exercising, training on the machine and eating proper meals. Throughout the season, I have learnt a lot from my mistakes and flaws. I tried to adjust as much as possible and adapt as quickly as possible. My goal is to try for the podium and finish in Top Three positions.”