Zhuhai International Circuit, China

{Race 1}


Underbone 150

Never a dull moment in the Underbone 150cc race category with riders moving swiftly in a line to take lead. Among them, Md Akid Aziz of CARDINALS FACTORY RACING TEAM ARRC stood out, impressive in his moves today in Race 1 as he sprinted ahead to bag his very first victory in Round 5 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship as Zhuhai International Circuit.

 

During the Super Pole session late morning, Akid Aziz took charge of the circuit when he clocked in fastest at 2’00:218s. That was an added advantage for the pole-man who went on to compete with the other two frontliners, Shafiq Rasol of ONEXOX TKKR Racing Team and Murrobil Vittoni of LFN H. PUTRA 969 INDONESIA Racing Team who both marked their fastests at 2’01:064s and 2’01:529s respectively.

It was a good start for Akid who quickly went on to lead. Seconds into the race, a number of riders crashed. With Akid leading, Fazrul and Murobbil kept close with Shafiq at P4 and Fahmi at P5, making up for the leading troop. By the end of lap 2, the positions remained. Among the back troop, Nazirul took charge with Haziq competing competitively. The pole-man seemed confident as he kept guarded his position.

By mid-race, Fahmi moved into P2. With two more laps to go, the back troop closed the gaps with the front troop and the battle heated up. Akid dropped to P7 as Shafiq took lead. Before the lap ended Akid cleverly moved back into his original position with Gupita at P2 and Hafiza at P3. Nazirul, at P4 was on a lookout for opportunities. Mid-lap, Nazirul took a slide into P3. Akid kept to his racing line diligently and avoided threats from left and right before succeeding with flying colours at 12’08:644s.

Commenting on the race, Akid said, “I am truly happy today for the win. Thanks to the team, my family and friends who have been a great support system to me. There is another race tomorrow and I am keeping my fingers crossed, hoping that I would have the same opportunity once again. Thank you all and please don’t forget to keep our Malaysian friend, Izzat Zaidi in your prayers.”

Taking the second spot on the podium was Ahmad Fazrul Sham of Pitsbike JRT Tech 2 OneWay Racing Team at 12’08:735s.

Third place went to Md Shafiq Rasol of ONEXOX TKKR Racing Team at 12’08:831s.

 


Asia Production 250

The Asia Production 250cc was nothing short of a powerful stride among the best of Asia with both the lads and lasses heating up the circuit in their mission top the chart. Muklada Sarapuech of Honda Racing Team claimed victory today in Race 1 of Round 5, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship that was held at the Zhuhai International Circuit.

 In the qualifying session that took place earlier this morning, Veda Ega of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM went on to score the fastest lap time at 1’50:117s consequently bagging the pole position for the weekend. At second and third spot on the grid were duo of Honda Racing Thailand, Jakkreephat and Muklada with their best lap time at 1’50:383s and 1’50:569s respectively.

Jakkreephat did not waste a moment as soon as the race was flagged off. He took a quick slide ahead of the troop, into P1 with Veda and Muklada behind him. But very quickly, Veda recovered P1. Before the lap ended, Veda drew a gap leaving trio Muklada, Herjun and Jakkreephat rivalling for the next spot. Before lap 2 ended, Herjun slipped and sled straight into the gravel. His teammate, Veda on the other hand was cruising comfortably at arm’s length with a gap of 2.339s while duo of the same team, Muklada and Jakkreephat went on a fierce battle. Behind them, Faerozi was waiting to strike with Rheza making swift moves between them. Before lap three ended, Rheza made it into P3.

As Veda glided comfortably ahead with no threats and pressure, the battle for P2 was striking among Jakkreephat, Muklada and Rheza. By lap 6, Faerozi joined the troop. The only Yamaha rider struggled to keep up pace with the Honda riders. With three more laps to go, Veda has drawn an impressive 7.421s gap with the troop behind unfortunately at the 8th lap, Veda who had to serve his penalty was left behind when the trio quickly overtook at high-speed. At the final lap, the rivalry continued between Muklada at P1 and Rheza at P2. The lady rider was not about to give in to her male counterpart. At the last turn, she fled towards her first victory at 18’35:277s.

Commenting on the race, Muklada said, “Rheza and Jakkreephat were really strong. It was a fierce fight with them all the way. We had the advantage at the long straight towards the end of the race today. Of course, I hope to make it again tomorrow. I thank my team members, crew, family and friends for their support and let’s see how it goes tomorrow.”

Taking the second spot was Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM at 18’35:476s.

Jakkreephat Puettisan of Honda Racing Thailand made it third at 18’35:565s.

 


TVS Asia One Make Championship

TVS Asia One Make Championship has been a boost to the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship since its debut season. Featuring some of the best names in its class, the race category has never ceased to make an impression in each round. Today, standing tall once again among the troop was Hiroki Ono of Japan who bagged the winning spot in Race 1 of Round 5 at Zhuhai International Circuit.

 During the qualifying session earlier today, Malaysian boy, Muzakkir made it fastest with his best lap time at 1’48:053s. That qualified him as a pole-man for the weekend. At second spot on the grid was Hiroki Ono of Japan with his best lap time at 1’48:149s. Taking the third spot on the grid was Taiyo Saito of Japan with his best lap time at 1’48:492s.

The race started with Hiroki Ono speeding up to take lead at the first turn followed by Taiyo Saito at P2 and Muzakkir at P3. Meanwhile, Ramdan was at P4 with Vorapong chasing furiously. Into lap 2, Malaysian duo Muzakkir and Ramdan overtook Taiyo Saito and went on to close the gap with Hiroki however, the latter went on at the pole position with a gap of 0.936s. By the end of lap 3, Muzakkir was seen picking up on his speed. Vorapong on the other hand made it into P4.

Muzakkir seemed to match the pace of Hiroki as he maintained his position, close to the Japanese. By mid-race, he was only 0.130s away from Hiroki. While Ramdan tried to catch up with the duo ahead, Muzakkir was on a lookout to strike. Hiroki was careful not to slip. Vorapong was trying his best to inch closer to Ramdan before the two crashed out. At the final lap, Muzakkir found his way to slide from the inside at turn one and take lead for a moment before the latter snatched his position back. Towards the finish line, Hiroki took speed and went on to hit it first at 14’23:448s.

Commenting on the race, Hiroki said, “The race today was not easy at all. I had to push 100% on each lap. The other guy behind me was extremely good too. I had to keep watch. But the last lap, it was easy because I have a lot of experience and I managed to make it. I am very happy for the win today. There is another race tomorrow, so, we shall see!”

Md Muzakkir Mohamed of Malaysia made it second at 14’23:748s. With that, Muzakkir topped the overall chart with a total of 128 points.

Taiyo Saito of Japan made a lucky finish at the third spot on the podium at 14’33.093s.

 


{Race 2}


Underbone 150

The endless battle for victory is one of the most important features in the Underbone 150cc race category which makes it different from the rest. Md Shafiq Rasol of ONEXOX TKKR Racing Team concluded the competition this evening when he claimed the winning spot in Race 2 of Round 5, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at Zhuhai International Circuit.

 

The 6-lap race began with Akid on the pole-position. As the battle heated up, the usual exchange of positions happened, swiftly amidst the chaos. Standing tall and striking in his moves was Akid who maintained his position at P1 on 5 laps. While the other riders attempted to take him down, he confidently rode on the racing line before dashing towards the finish line. He took his first win for the season. Behind him, Fazrul took second followed by Shafiq at third.

Akid once again went on to take lead at the first turn followed by Shafiq and Murrobil. By the end of lap 1, Shafiq emerged ahead of the troop followed by Fazrul before Akid struck to take back his position. By the end of lap 2, Akid drew a gap of 1.058s away from Afif. The huge troop behind him chased him while playing their part in staying ahead of their contenders. By mid-race, Akid was comfortably gliding ahead with a gap of 1.788s.

By then, it seemed almost impossible for the big troop to catch up with Akid. Unfortunately, luck was not his side. His machine gave way and threw him off his game. With two more laps to go, the competition became stiff as the riders aggressively fought to stay ahead. On the final lap, Wawan took lead with Shafiq trailing but after the final turn and towards the finish line, Shafiq slip-streamed ahead of Wawan and clocked in first at 12’10:676s.

Commenting on the race, Shafiq said, “I would first like to say a big thanks to the team and crew for their hard work and endless support. This was an amazing race for me. In fact, the weekend was truly an awesome one. I took third yesterday and being able to win today is a great achievement for me. During the race earlier, I tried to stay ahead of the troop from the beginning but I was left out mid- race. At the final lap, I tried as much as possible to get back ahead and I managed to get it right!”

Second was Murrobil Vittoni of LFN H. PUTRA 969 INDONESIA Racing Team clocking in at 12’10:685s.

Wawan Wello of Pitsbike JRT Tech 2 OneWay Racing Team made it third at 12’10:753s.

 


Asia Production 250

The competition among the Asia Production 250cc riders has always been a captivating one with the ladies and gentlemen of the best kind taking the rhythm up a notch. Sailing through flawlessly and bagging the top spot was Veda Ega Pratama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM in Race 2 of Round 5, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship which was held at Zhuhai International Circuit.

 Recapping the performances of Race 1, Veda took charge of the circuit making waves on each lap while,Muklada, Jakkreephat and Rheza battled their rivalries behind. With two more laps to go, Veda who had made a 7-second gap, had a ride through penalty, which gave the trio an instant pass to supersede him. Veda lost his chance but the lady was all out to bring the boys down. On the final lap, Muklada blazed her way to victory with Rheza taking the second spot and Jakkreephat landing himself third.

Veda was quick to make his move at turn one, immediately taking lead as Jakkreephat and Muklada took P2 and P3. Nevertheless, Faerozi and Rheza were quick in getting ahead of Muklada before lap 1 ended. Muklada would not give up. As her teammate diligently trailed Veda, Muklada was fighting a battle with Faerozi and Rheza for the third position. She embraced the challenges as she went on to compete competitively. By the end of lap 3, Veda was 0.7s away from Jakkreephat who maintained his pace at P2. Mid lap 4, Herjun began making his moves and glided ahead of the trio. By then, Viet Nam emerged among the second troop.

By mid-race, the duo in front were pacing with no pressure. But the intensity among the back troop became nerve-wrecking. Herjun took lead with Faerozi and Viet Nam chasing aggressively for the third place. With another three laps to go, Veda was 4.8 seconds away from Jakkreephat. Herjun and Faerozi picked up speed but Viet Nam caught up quickly. On the final lap, Veda and Jakkreephat went on to complete the race at first and second spot respectively. The second troop had one final battle before Herjun took speed to finish third.

Commenting on the race, Veda who logged in at 18’20:774s said, “Race 1 didn’t work out for me because of the ride through. So, this was my time to make up for my loss yesterday. I did my best to stay focused and keep up with my pace. With that, I managed to draw a good big gap and avoided all threats from the back. I thank my team, crew members and everyone who have supported me throughout!”

Jakkreephat Puettisan of Honda Racing Thailand clocked in second at 18’30:018s.

Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM made it third at 18’34:804s.

 


TVS Asia One Make Championship

It was yet another exciting feat among the TVS Asia One Make Championship riders as they glided for a better spot. Hiroki Ono of Japan was unbeatable today as he went on with the much-anticipated moves to bag the best spot on the podium in Race 2 of Round 5, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship held at Zhuhai International Circuit.

 

It was Hiroki as usual at the lead position in Race 1. Different this time around was Muzakkir who kept his pace close to the Japanese, placing intense pressure. Ramdan and Vorapong trailed behind. Mid- race, it was game over for Ramdan and Vorapong when they collided, opening a wide pathway for Taiyo a P3. With no threats from behind, Muzakkir went all out to attack Hiroki. Hiroki however was not about to be defeated. He broke free from that intensity and fled towards victory.

During the race earlier, Hiroki was quick to take his spot ahead of the others followed by Muzakkir at P2. Mid-lap, Vorapong swerved ahead for a moment before Malaysian duo took a slide ahead with Muzakkir at P2 and Ramdan at P3. On lap 2, Ramdan picked up speed and made it past Muzakkir. Hiroki remained strong in the lead position. The battle was evident between Ramdan and Muzakkir and by the third lap, the latter made it back into P2. Meanwhile, Piyawat was at P4 and Taiyo at P5.

The Malaysian duo went on to pressure Hiroki. As they exchanged positions multiple times, Hiroki did not engage in the threats. By mid-race, Hiroki drew a gap of 0.613s while Muzakkir and Ramdan battled furiously. With another two laps to go, Hiroki was getting faster and further away from pressure at 2.826s gap. Muzakkir remained steadily at P2 with Ramdan attempting to close the gap. At the final lap, Hiroki was already on his way towards yet another double victory while Ramdan looked out to strike. Hiroki clocked in at 14’28:690s.

Commenting on the race, Hiroki said, “Today was great. I kept to my lap time well. I have made five wins in total out of the six races since my entry into this race category. I thank my Japanese sponsors for that and I thank TVS Asia team for the wonderful opportunity given to me. My ultimate goal and drive every round were to take a win, nothing more and nothing less. That’s how I motivate myself to push beyond the limits. It is not so much of the championship title. This weekend has definitely been a wonderful one!”

Md Muzakkir Mohamed of Malaysia was consistent as he concluded the game second at 14’31:751s.

Taking third was Md Ramdan Rosli of Malaysia, logging in at 14’31:814s.