Underbone 150
Easily deceivable, the Underbone 150cc race category with a trademark of long trailing riders is one that is not to be missed in the Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Today, it was a day to celebrate for Nazirul Izzat Bahauddin of UMA Racing YAMAHA Maju Motor Asia Team when he made a grand finish in Race 1 of Round 3 at the Sportsland Sugo International Racing Course.
Earlier this morning, the Super Pole session saw 15 riders working on their lap time to add the pole position to their advantage and among them M Murobbil Vittoni of LFN H. PUTRA 969 INDONESIA Racing Team made the cut with the best lap time at 1’46:401s. Taking the second spot on the grid was
Nazirul Izzat Bahauddin of UMA Racing YAMAHA Maju Motor Asia Team who clocked in at 1’47:097s followed by Wahyu Aji Trilaksana of RACETECH SIXTY Racing at the third spot on the grid at 1’47:468s.
The race began with Wahyu taking lead as the troop furiously trailed behind. But seconds before the end of lap 1, ONEXOX TKKR riders, Hafiza and Shafiq Rasol made it into P1 and P2. By mid of lap 2, Shazras took lead before Gupita and Nazirul emerged in the first two positions. By the end of lap 3, Nazirul made it to P1 with Gupita and Wawan close behind. It was opportunity waiting to be struck and riders were on a constant lookout as they trailed on through the laps.
By mid-race, Wawan took lead shortly before Haziq overtook. Wawan was seen managing his pace at P2 while Nazirul kept at P3 before striking Wawan. By the end of lap 7, Nazirul was leading followed closely by teammate Haziq at P2. The exchange of positions went on among the riders but the trio maintained their momentum well at the top three positions. With one more lap to go, the robust riders went on for one last push. After the last corner and going uphill, it was battle between Wahyu and Nazirul and in a stiff exchange, Nazirul slipstreamed his way into victory at 18’03:880s.
Commenting on the race, Nazirul said, “I am truly grateful for the win today. During the race earlier, everyone was at their best. It was a huge battle among all of us. I stayed focused and tried to get ahead. I utilised the strategies to ensure that I stayed among the front troop. As a rider with a teammate, I always try to help out in whichever way I could and the sign language earlier was an indication to him to strategise.”
At the second spot was Wahyu Aji Trilaksana of RACETECH SIXTY Racing, clocking in at 18’03:975s.
Gupita Kresna Wardhana of 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team made his best at 18’04:411s.
Asia Production 250
It was a no-shocker in the Asia Production 250cc when Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM charged towards the chequered flag ahead of the rest for an impressive win in Race 1 of Round 3, Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship that was held at Sportsland Sugo International Racing Course this evening.
During the Qualifying session that was carried out in the morning, Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA Racing Indonesia marked the fastest lap time at 1’39:078s giving him the additional boost needed for the race. At second fastest was Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM at 1’39:097s followed by Muklada Sarapuech of Honda Racing Thailand at the third place with the lap time of 1’39:270s.
Faerozi was off to an awesome start from the pole position however seconds into the race, Rheza grabbed P1 from him while teammates Muklada and Jakkreephat moved into P2 and P3 respectively. Mid lap 2, Irfan Ardiansyah found the opportunity to strike and immediately took P3. While it was not surprising of Rheza to makes waves once again at the circuit, female rider Muklada was quite a stunner at Sugo. She was relentless as she went on a chase to bring Rheza down.
Meanwhile at P4 and P5 teammates Herjun and Veda made it past Jakkreephat and began pressuring Irfan. By the end of lap 5, Veda succeeded. The trio was left battling for a better position as duo, Rheza and Muklada fled ahead with neither distraction or pressure from the troop. By end of lap 7, Aiki closed his gap with teammate and moved in P5 before overtaking Herjun. With another 3 laps to go, Rheza began working his magic as he drew wider gap with Muklada.
At the final lap, it was almost impossible for Muklada to make her moves. Rheza was on his way to yet another victory and clocked in at 19’58:348s.
Commenting on the race, Rheza said, “After the practice sessions yesterday, we have achieved quite a good lap time so we were aware of our strengths and the capacities of the machine. During the race, I was able to manage my rhythm well and I avoided making mistakes on each lap. I know that Muklada was right behind me at each lap but I kept my focus on creating some gap towards the last few laps. For the remaining rounds of the season, I aim to give my best shot even though there have been some changes after the RPM cut. It definitely will require more work but I will do my best.”
Muklada Sarapuech of Honda Racing Thailand took the second spot on the podium at 20’00:396s.
Veda Ega Pratama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM made it third at 20’00:456s.
TVS Asia One Make Championship
Riding aboard the TVS Apache 310 machine, the riders of the TVS Asia One Make Championship put on their best performance to dominate Race 1 of Round 3, Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship which was held at the Sportsland Sugo International Racing Course. Standing tall with victory in hand was Hiroki Ono of Japan.
The day at the circuit began with the Qualifying session of the race category. Hiroko Ono of Japan went on to amaze audience with his remarkable lap time of 1’37:772s which consequently secured him the pole position. At the second fastest spot was Decky Tiarno Aldy of Indonesia with his best time at 1’39:378s. Md Muzakkir Mohamed of Malaysia made the third fastest at 1’39:402s.
As soon as the race started, Japanese lad, Hiroki took lead at the first turn with Deck close behind at P2 and Ramdan at P3. Before the lap ended, the red flag was waved due to a casualty involving Chiranth of India. The race continued shortly after with a reduced number of laps and this time, Muzakkir took lead at the first turn followed by Decky and Ramdan. Before the end of the race, Hiroki stole P1 and went on full-throttle.
By mid of lap 2, Hiroki has drawn a gap of 0.8s from Muzakkir. Meanwhile, Ramdan who was at P4 broke into P3 in lap 3 and Decky maintained his speed to avoid Ramdan’s moves. Into the fourth lap, Hiroki was way ahead of the troop with a 3.813s gap. With two more laps to go, Ramdan was pressuring relentlessly from behind but Decky was careful not to slip. By then, Muzakkir has lost his chances of moving into the top 3.
With one more lap to go, Hiroki was gloriously speeding ahead towards victory. The battle went on between Decky and Ramdan but the former was determined to bag the second spot. Ramdan refused to give up and went on to chase Decky down but the latter confidently glided to the chequered flag ahead first.
Hiroki Ono clocked in at 9’53:668s.
Commenting on the race, Hiroki said, “So the race was awesome. I kept focusing on and monitoring the riders trailing me. For me, it was an easy feat furthermore with only 6 laps. It did not strain me physically and mentally. But, there is another race tomorrow and I am certainly looking forward to it.”
Decky Tiarno Aldy of Indonesia made it second on the podium at 9’59:457s.
Malaysian rider, Md Ramdan Rosli took the third spot at 9’59:830s.