Asia Production 250
The Asia Production 250cc race category was made exciting with riders striding aggressively to take lead in Race 1 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship held at Chang International Circuit. However, Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM had the upper hand when he graced the finish line first, bagging his first victory for the season.
Earlier this morning, Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM made an impressive mark when he topped the qualifying session at 1’50:860s. His teammates Rheza Danica Ahrens and Veda Ega Pra Tama made their best lap time at 1’50:897s and 1’51:162s making them the top three riders in the session.
With the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM trio taking the front row on the grid, the advantage was amplified for Rheza Danica who made a quick move to take lead at the first turn. With that impressive act, Rheza took control of the circuit, slowly increasing speed lap-by-lap. By the end of lap 3, teammate Veda Ega positioned himself steadily at P2 with Muklada trailing close behind. Herjun who was then at P4 overtook Muklada at sector 2 and by end of lap 4, the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM trio aligned themselves on the top 3 positions.
Rheza was then fleeing comfortably ahead at P1 with Veda Ega fighting to close to gap. At P3, it was an exchange between Muklada and Herjun, mid-race. Muklada lost her chances at top 5 as Jakkreephat went ahead but she was determined to make the cut. The feisty battle for the third position went on between Herjun, Muklada and Jakkreephat.
With one last lap to go, Rheza was confirmed for a win with Veda Ega at the second spot. It was at the last turn that the excitement mounted with Herjun and Muklada making one last push towards the
chequered flag. As Rheza clocked in his masterclass performance at 18’37:710s, Veda Ega made his best at 18’38:639s. At third place, Herjun clocked in just in time to bag to third spot at 18’45:659s.
Commenting on the race, Rheza said, “It was a quite tough race today especially with the heat steaming up the track. In the beginning, I kept my consistency intact by being completely focused. I presume that Race 2 will be equally hard but I will do my best tomorrow.”
reposted from asia road racing chanpionship
Underbone 150
It was a neck-to-neck battle of Asia’s best in the Underbone 150cc race category during Race 1 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship held at Chang International Circuit. Md Shafiq Rasol of ONEXOX TKKR RACING TEAM made his first cut for the season when he bragged victory.
Earlier this morning, Md Hafiza Rofa of ONEXOX TKKR RACING TEAM made the fastest lap time at 2’02:176s in the Superpole session. Wawan Wello of PITSBIKE JRT TECH 2 ONEWAY RACING TEAM hit it at 2’02:508s while Md Izzat Zaidi of CARDINALS FACTORY RACING TEAM ARRC recorded his fastest lap time at 2’03:828s. While the pole position may not pose a significant advantage in the Underbone race category, it however sets a tone to the race.
The race flagged off with the troop making a bolt to find the best position. Wawan Wello however was quick to find his pace as he took lead after turn one. However, mid lap 2, Ahmad Fazli Sham managed to pressure his way into P1. Hafiza who was then out of sight in the top 5 group picked up pace and emerged at P1. The competition was stiff as riders looped in and out of the top 3 position.
Mid-race, Izam Ikmal took lead before Wawan Wello took his shot ahead. However, Izam managed to up his pace back into P1. With one more lap to go, Wawan Wello took lead but was struck by Nazirul Izzat and Murobbil Vittoni. By turn 5, Haziq Fairues took lead with a gap that kept his away from the troop trailing him. He held on fiercely but was superseded by Shafiq Rasol from the inside before the duo engaged in one final battle for the win. Md Shafiq Rasol of ONEXOX TKKR RACING TEAM clocked in at 16’31:851s.
Commenting on the race, Shafiq said, “First of all, thank you to my team for the opportunity to race in this category. During the first few laps, I took my time among the back group. I did not push myself too much. It was not until the last few laps that I worked on my moves to take lead. That worked for me!”
Md Haziq Md Fairues of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM came close behind at 16’31:863s.
Third place on the podium went to Wawan Wello of PITSBIKE JRT TECH 2 ONEWAY RACING TEAM logged in at 16’31:909s.
TVS Asia One Make Championship
TVS Asia One Make Championship was made even more competitive this season with the likes of extraordinary riders marking the entry list. This time around, Vorapong Malahuan of Thailand found his way to the top of the podium in Race 1 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship that was held at Chang International Circuit.
During the qualifying session in the morning, Piyawat Patoomyos of Thailand clocked in at 1’49:742s followed by Md Muzakkir Mohamed of Malaysia at 1’50:388s. Vorapong Malahuan, defending champion made his best at 1’50:935s.
The riders were off to a fantastic start as soon as the race was flagged off. Vorapong immediately found the opportunity to strike and took the lead at turn one but was superseded by Ramdan who seemed confident striding aboard the TVS Apache RR310. Vorapong however struck back. In the second lap, Kerwin managed to loop himself ahead of the troop at the second sector and by the end of lap 2, Ramdan once again bolted ahead.
By mid-race, Vorapong was back at the lead position. Nevertheless, he was strained by Malaysian duo Ramdan and Muzakkir and by the end of lap 5, Thai rider Piyawat emerged at P1. The pressure mounted with each lap and with two more laps to go, Ramdan faced issues with his machine consequently slowing him down. At the last lap, it was nip and tuck between Vorapong and Piyawat nevertheless, the Season 2022 champion was fiery in defending his title. As the last turn, he increased speed and bolted ahead clocking in at 14’55:442s.
Commenting on the race, Vorapong said, “This place is really hot. At the starting grid too, it was super- hot! Yesterday was not so good for me as I couldn’t achieve a good lap time. But during the qualifying, I was more confident with my machine because I could obtain a better lap time. I am really happy to bag the first win for the season.”
Taking the second spot on the podium was Piyawat Patoomyos of Thailand with his best time at 14’55:582s.
Taiyo Saito of Japan took the third place on the podium, logging in at 14’59:756s.