Category: 2017 Round6

  • TAIGA HADA: STRONGER EVERY SEASON

    TAIGA HADA: STRONGER EVERY SEASON

    The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship experienced a mini-trend from 2012 to 2014 that brought a wave of young Japanese riders into the Underbone category. Some of these riders included Kazuki Masaki, Kaito Toba, Ren Toba, and Taiga Hada. Only 18, Hada is one of the youngest riders in the SuperSports 600cc category, and certainly…

  • AZLAN SHAH: INJURY-LADEN 2017

    AZLAN SHAH: INJURY-LADEN 2017

    Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman’s quest for his second Asian title had been derailed by a string of unfortunate incidences. Following a positive start in Round 1, the Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing rider looked to be in good position, especially after inheriting a double win in Round 2 when Anthony West was disqualified. Azlan’s season went…

  • AHMAD YUDHISTIRA: HOPING TO BREAK THE GLASS CEILING

    AHMAD YUDHISTIRA: HOPING TO BREAK THE GLASS CEILING

    Since 2011, the SuperSports 600cc title had been won by either the Japanese or Malaysian riders. As the 2017 season draws to an end, Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing’s Ahmad Yudhistira is in position to become the first premiere class champion from Indonesia. 24 years of age, Yudhis, had been racing in the SuperSports 600cc…

  • THE INVISIBLE RACE

    THE INVISIBLE RACE

    Becoming Asia’s Top 600cc Team For every time the riders go out on track for the title hunt, a parallel but invisible race happens in the Asian paddocks – the race to win the title as the best Asian team in their race category.     In 2017, the Asia Production 250cc team title had…

  • WHAT’S NEW IN THE ASIA PRODUCTION 250cc

    WHAT’S NEW IN THE ASIA PRODUCTION 250cc

    A 33-rider grid in the Asia Production 250cc class had been confirmed for the final round of the 2017 Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. While everyone waits for Gerry Salim to get on with the business of sealing the title once and for all, there had been plenty of movement among the other teams…

  • WAITING FOR THE OTHER SHOE TO DROP

    WAITING FOR THE OTHER SHOE TO DROP

    Waiting for the confirmation of the 2017 Asia Production 250cc Champion is like waiting for the other shoe to drop. There is a sense of inevitability as everyone waits for Astra Honda Racing Team’s Gerry Salim to end the suspense. The 20-year-old had virtually monopolised the Asian intermediate class this season. He had won seven…

  • AKID THE SILENT HUNTER ON THE PROWL

    AKID THE SILENT HUNTER ON THE PROWL

    Always Room For One More Trophy Team UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor had been having a very good year. Back home in Malaysia, the team had successfully captured four major titles – CP150 Champion, CP150 Team Champion, CP115 Champion and CP115 Team Champion. During the penultimate round of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship…

  • FOUR IN CONTENTION FOR 2017 SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE TITLE

    FOUR IN CONTENTION FOR 2017 SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE TITLE

    Punchana Kulrojchalalai may become the first Thai rider to win the Suzuki Asian Challenge title. Punchana will be heading to his home track, the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, as the championship leader in the Suzuki talent development programme. 50 championship points are up for grabs at the last weekend. Punchana needs 17. This…