Round 5 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia delivered intense contest in Race 1 of SS600 category. Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND claimed a vital victory and tightened the title chase.
Earlier in Qualifying, championship leader Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING dominated by clocking pole position at 2’14.884s, more than a second clear of Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM and Muhammad Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA.
As the race started, Anupab made a solid launch to seize the holeshot, followed closely by the YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA pairing of Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah and Wahyu Nugroho. Kasma settled into fourth while Thanat steadily pushed forward from sixth on the grid, picking off Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM by lap 2. Kasma mounted a furious charge, posting the fastest lap of the race on lap 3 with a blistering 2’10.256s to capture the lead, but had to immediately serve the first of two long lap penalties.
The turning point unfolded on lap 4 when Kasma served his second consecutive long lap penalty, dropping down to seventh. Thanat pounced instantly, sweeping past Anupab to inherit P1. From that moment, the race developed into a duel between the Thai frontrunners. Thanat focused on hitting his marks, while Anupab kept the pressure relentless, hovering just 0.263s behind.
Behind them, Wahyu launched a steady comeback, executing a decisive pass on Herjun on lap 7 to secure third place.
On the 10th and final lap, Anupab closed down a half-second deficit to sit just 0.177s behind Thanat, waiting for an opening to strike. However, Thanat held defensive lines to cross the finish line first at 21’58.357s, edging out Anupab by 0.103s. Wahyu completed the podium in third at 21’59.307s, while Herjun and Helmi rounded out the top five.
Thanat shared, “Heading into the race in these conditions, my confidence was high because we’ve had so many positive outings here at Sepang. We knew we had the outright speed, so during the race my objective was simply to focus on my own rhythm, stay mentally grounded, and maintain strong race pace without letting outside distractions affect me.”
“We desperately needed P1 today, and when Kasma had to take the double long lap penalty, I knew it was our moment to capitalize and leave everything on the track. Taking the win brings my points so much closer to Kasma in the championship fight. It’s an incredible feeling for me and the entire team, and we’re ready to carry this hunger into tomorrow.”
TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1
1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (21’58.357s)
2. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (21’58.460s)
3. WAHYU NUGROHO – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (21’59.307s)
4. HERJUN ATNA FIRDAUS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (22’02.414s)
5. MUHAMMAD HELMI AZMAN – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (22’03.849s)