For long time fans of the Asian racing scene, Rafid Topan Sucipto’s double win in Zhuhai last month came as no surprise. Those who had watched him win the Asian Underbone 115cc title in 2011 would know the true capabilities of this Indonesian rider.
Come Round 6 of the 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Sepang Circuit on September 21 and 22, the onus is now on Rafid and the Bike Corner SYS KYT Racing Team to prove that he is really back in winning form.
The 50 points he raked in from Zhuhai has boosted Rafid’s standings on the AP250 ladder. The Bike Corner SYS KYT Racing Team along with the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team are the only two privateer teams in an AP250 field dominated by the factory outfits.
Currently 10th on the standings, Rafid trails championship leader Andy Muhammad Fadly by 67 points. There are four more races left in the 2019 calendar. Mathematically at least, Rafid still has a chance to join the title chase.
Another double win in Sepang could possibly push the Bike Corner SYS KYT Racing Team rider into the top five. Free of the equalizer rule that had been applied on five of the top six riders, Rafid stands a fighting chance of more podium finishes in Round 6.