Zamri leading group

The tussle for the Asian title continues as the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship moves to the Sentul Circuit next weekend. As one of the most colourful events on the calendar, the visit to Sentul always produces a fantastic atmosphere with the passionate crowd supporting Indonesian competitors as they battle for victory.

Last year Indonesian riders stole the headlines when M.Fadli (Astra Honda Racing Team) rocketed to victory while Yudhistira (Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki) bagged two podiums and Dimas Ekky secured another in the SuperSports 600cc.

And this year with the grid as close as ever, the SuperSports 600cc battle in Indonesia will be a crucial episode in the title race with Musashi Boon Siew Honda Racing duo, Zamri Baba and Yuki Takahashi coming under increasing pressure from local favourites, Dimas, Yudhistira, M.Fadli and Rafid Topan (Team Kagayama Suzuki ASIA) who will be hoping for home advantage.

Zamri who finished second in Race 1 and took victory in Race 2 at Sepang holds the championship lead with 45 points, 11 points ahead of Yuki followed by Dimas and Yudhistira with 24 points and 20 points respectively. Others to watch out for includes Thailand’s Ratthapong Wilairot who surprised the paddock by securing his maiden podium at Sepang.

Adding on to the excitement would be the all-new Asia Production 250cc (AP250) that will make its debut at the Indonesian circuit. The new class launched lived up to its reputation for providing incredible racing and that trend is expected to continue at Sentul where eight Indonesian riders aim to make their home-crowd proud.

Currently Apiwat Wongthananon (AP Honda Racing Thailand) leads the standings with 45 points with Japan’s Takehiro Yamamoto (Trickstar Racing) trailing by 7 points followed by Apiwat’s teammate, Vorapong Malahuan third with 36 points.

 

SAINGAN ARRC DIJANGKA LEBIH SENGIT DI INDONESIA

Pertembungan jaguh-jaguh handalan Asia dijangka semakin sengit sebaik seluruh kontinjen Kejuaraan Motosikal Asia FIM (ARRC) akan turun beraksi menghadapi pusingan kedua kejuaraan di Litar Antarabangsa Sentul, Indonesia bermula pada 4 hingga 7 Jun ini.

Beraksi di litar yang sentiasa meriah dengan kehadiran peminat-peminat tempatan selain pertembungan epik diantara pelumba-pelumba khususnya Indonesia dan Malaysia, Litar Sentul dijangka akan memberi kelebihan kepada pelumba tempatan berikutan kejayaan yang dicapai pada musim lepas dengan M.Fadli (Astra Honda Racing Team) meraih gelaran juara manakala H.A Yudhistira (Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki) berjaya meraih dua kedudukan podium di samping podium milik Dimas Ekky, kesemuanya dalam kategori SuperSports 600cc.

Meskipun begitu, kehadiran duo Musashi Boon Siew Honda Racing, Mohd Zamri Baba dan Yuki Takahashi yang muncul juara pada pusingan pembukaan di Sepang dijangka mampu untuk memberikan tentangan sengit sekalipun menerima tekanan daripada barisan pelumba tuan rumah seperti Dimas, Yudhistira, M.Fadli dan Rafid Topan (Team Kagayama Suzuki ASIA).

Selepas dua perlumbaan pada Pusingan 1 di Malaysia, April lepas, Zamri yang muncul naib juara Perlumbaan 1 dan juara Perlumbaan 2 kini mendahului senarai keseluruhan dengan 45 mata, 11 mata mendahului rakan sepasukan, Yuki diikuti Dimas dan Yudhistira, masing-masing dengan 24 mata dan 20 mata.

Kelibat pelumba Thailand, Ratthapong Wilairot juga dijangka mampu memberi tentangan sengit terutama dengan kejayaan meraih podium pertamanya sewaktu di Sepang.

Menambahkan kerancakan perlumbaan ARRC di Indonesia ialah saingan kelas Asia Production 250 (AP250) yang mula diperkenalkan pada musim ini dengan kelebihan dijangka memihak kepada lapan pelumba Indonesia yang pasti memberi aksi terbaik di hadapan penyokong tempatan.

Setakat ini, pelumba Thailand, Apiwat Wongthananon (AP Honda Racing Thailand) sedang mendahului kedudukan dengan 45 mata, tujuh mata mendahului pelumba Jepun, Takehiro Yamamoto (Trickstar Racing) diikuti rakan sepasukan Apiwat, Vorapong Malahuan ketiga dengan 36 mata.

Saingan kelas Underbone 130cc ketika ini didahului oleh Abd Muhaimin Roslan (PETRONAS Yamaha Maju Motor) dengan 41 mata diikuti Hokky Krisdianto (R7 KYT AHRS SSS Racing Tech) kedua, 33 mata dan rakan sepasukan Muhaimin, Ahmad Fazli Sham ketiga, 25 mata.

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