Trailing by 16 points to Malaysian youngster Mohd Akid Aziz in the Underbone 150cc category, title defender Wahyu Aji Trilaksana is still optimistic of a successful campaign even as the 2017 season winds down to its final two rounds.
Wahyu won the last Underbone 130cc crown on offer in 2016. The South East Asian heritage class had since evolved into the highly popular Underbone 150cc category. However, a new race class brought problems of its own to Wahyu and team Yamaha Racing Indonesia.
Lack of data had resulted in a roller coaster of a season for Wahyu. He scored five podiums and two wins but was handicapped by two DNF results.
The rider who capitalized the most on this situation was Mohd Akid Aziz of team UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor.
“We struggled a bit this year, mainly because we did not have the benefit of data from previous years to assist in our setup. The first two rounds, especially, brought some small problems. The Malaysian contingent may outnumber the Indonesians in the Underbone class this year. But that had never been a factor in my mind. With or without compatriots, I am confident of my own race-winning abilities,” said Wahyu.
“The season is not over yet so there is little cause to say that the 2017 title is slipping out of my hands. I am still confident that we will be able to turn the situation around, especially when the championship finale heads to a familiar battleground – Buriram.”