Asia Road Racing Championship

Asia Road Racing Championship http://www.creativebugs.my/arrc/rss.php en-us CuteNews <![CDATA[FADLI GUNNING FOR TOP FIVE]]> http://www.creativebugs.my/arrc/rss.php?subaction=showfull&id=1329969321&archive= FADLI GUNNING FOR TOP FIVE
23 February 2012

Three years competing in the premier SuperSports 600cc, M.Fadli intends to give it his all for the 2012 PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) and earn himself a top five overall position.

The Indonesian rider on a two-year deal with Manual Tech BEET Kawasaki Racing believes his goals is not too far-sighted following the amount of experience he gained last season racing under the guidance of teammate, Katsuaki Fujiwara who was also 2011 SuperSports 600cc Champion.

"This year, I'm looking to conclude among top five. Some may see it as impossible considering the highly-competitive nature of this class with many new faces coming in but I think otherwise. Mainly because I'm better adjusted to the machine compared to last season, which was my first year with Kawasaki and I have Fujiwara and a great team supporting me," said the 28 year old who came in eighth overall last year.

Adding on to his confidence, this year the Japan-Indonesian team will be using an updated model of the 600cc Kawasaki machine and all past setups which has proven to be highly efficient will be imported. Even so, Fadli has no intention of taking things lightly.

"Right everything seems to be heading in the right direction and we will definitely be stronger this year once the new Kawasaki arrives. But that does not mean we will stop working hard. The team still needs to work hard infusing last season's setup with the new machines regardless. On my part, I need to train hard and close the gap with my teammate. Hence besides the ARRC, I'll be taking part in three MFJ All-Japan Championship races this year to further broaden my experience and gain competitive edge," he said.

Issued by Global PR Sdn Bhd
Copyright to Two Wheels Motor Racing Sdn Bhd
]]> 1329969321 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:55:21 -0700 <![CDATA[YAMAHA CKJ RACING TEAM MOVING ON]]> http://www.creativebugs.my/arrc/rss.php?subaction=showfull&id=1329794389&archive= YAMAHA CKJ RACING TEAM MOVING ON
21 February 2012

Although months away from the kick off round, Yamaha CKJ Racing Team is already hyped up for the 2012 PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) where they hope to defend the individual and team title in the Underbone 115cc category.

The Malaysian based team however will take up a different formation for 2012. While last year they had Indonesian, Rafid Topan to spearhead them to victory, this year taking up the mantel as lead rider would be rookie, Ahmad Afif Amran as the former is set to compete with the big boys in the SuperSports 600cc.

Another local rider is said to be joining Afif on the grid this season but has yet to be decided who and will be picked from one of his three teammates from the PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship.

Principal, Che Ku Junaidi views Topan's decision moving up the ranks as something very positive and it is time for the team to focus on it's primary objective, to mould another future Champion from Malaysia after Mohd Affendi Rosli, the last to win the Underbone 115cc title crown in 2009.

"Topan's departure has definitely left a big hole and now it's up to Afif to fill his shoes. Of course, it's unfair to compare the two of them because Topan has more experience in the international scene and back home in Indonesia but we've seen what Afif is capable of. For example, in his debut season he managed three podium finishes and consistently finished among top five so we are quite confident," said Junaidi.

Adding on to his confidence, while Tunggal Jaya Motor (TJM) no longer sponsors the team, both parties will continue to work closely on the technical perspective.

"TJM no longer sponsors the team exclusively but our partnership continues behind the scenes. TJM mechanics will continue to assist and train us setting up the Yamaha machines until we are ready to manage on our own because when we first joined the Championship, our idea was to create an all-Malaysian independent team. It feels good to see we are finally heading towards that direction. Of course, credit goes out to our Indonesian friends at TJM for helping us out all this while."

When asked to evaluate the team's growth, Junaidi explained Yamaha CKJ Racing Team has been on a fast-track ever since it joined the Championship in 2010.

"We grew very fast in two short years and sometimes its still quite hard to believe where we are now. In our first year Topan was able to secure third overall and his second run in the Championship saw him claim the overall title so it's only natural we expect more this season. To be frank, a lot of pressure rides on Afif but we are optimistic he has what it takes to fight for the overall title and defend the team's good name!"

Issued by Global PR Sdn Bhd
Copyright to Two Wheels Motor Racing Sdn Bhd
]]> 1329794389 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:19:49 -0700 <![CDATA[MALAYSIAN TALENTS TRY OUT 600CC MACHINES]]> http://www.creativebugs.my/arrc/rss.php?subaction=showfull&id=1329379276&archive= MALAYSIAN TALENTS TRY OUT 600CC MACHINES
16 February 2012

Malaysian riders, Ahmad Fazli Sham, Abdul Muhaimin Roslan, Mohd Taufiq Roslan and Mohd Farid Badrul Hisham gets a first hand taste of the Yamaha YZF-R6 at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday.

The test hosted by Hong Leong Yamaha was aimed at exposing the riders to 600cc bikes, a big step up from their usual underbone machines which they actively ride in the PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship, Malaysia's biggest national motorcycle racing event.

Farid however was an exception as he originated from the British Superbike Championship (BSB) and has had experience racing in the Malaysian Super Series (MSS) therefore his priorities were to get used to riding a Yamaha.

Also present were Mohd Zamri Baba who concluded the 2011 season of the PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) SuperSports 600cc third overall and rookie Mohd Ramdan Mohd Rosli.

Ahmad Fazli Sham
"Feels good to get back on a 600cc bike again. The last time I rode one was in 2010 while I was still racing in the PETRONAS ARRC. But a lot has changed since then and keeping up with Zamri was almost impossible from what I remember. But I'm thankful he is more than willing to help by giving me great advise especially when it comes to braking."

Abdul Muhaimin Roslan
"Unlike Zamri, Ramdan, Fazli and Farid, this is my first time riding a 600cc machine and it was an overwhelming experience! It took a while to adjust to the bulky frame and top-speed but although I'm nowhere near Zamri's lap time, I'm very happy with my overall performance and very thankful to Hong Leong Yamaha for giving me this great opportunity. I hope this new experience can help me perform better in Cub Prix!"

Mohd Taufiq Roslan
"Honestly, I didn't think the opportunity to ride a 600cc bike was possible and this soon as there are many more riders worthy of this chance so saying I'm happy is an understatement! Regarding the test, it went great. No doubt, there is still a lot to learn but I'm quite confident given more mileage, I can improve myself. Hopefully, this will be my stepping stone to the PETRONAS ARRC someday."

Mohd Farid Badrul Hisham
"I've had experience racing on 600cc bikes in the MSS and BSB but this is my first time riding a Yamaha so the feeling is different. It took some time getting used to its raw power but I showed improvement towards the end of the day and I'm very glad. With more time, I'm certain I can make further progress. Can't wait for the next test where the bike will be fine tuned!"

Issued by Global PR Sdn Bhd
Copyright to Two Wheels Motor Racing Sdn Bhd
]]> 1329379276 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:01:16 -0700 <![CDATA[YAMAHA INDONESIA CONFIRMS SS600 & UB115 LINE-UP]]> http://www.creativebugs.my/arrc/rss.php?subaction=showfull&id=1328771592&archive= YAMAHA INDONESIA CONFIRMS SS600 & UB115 LINE-UP
8 February 2012

Source: www.indonesianracing.com

Yamaha Indonesia confirmed three teams will take part in the PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) for the 2012 season last Wednesday in Jakarta.

"2011 was a great year for Yamaha Indonesia. Aside from the national championships, we had a successful year in the PETRONAS ARRC and we hope to keep up the good run this season," explained Dyonisius Beti, President Director of PT Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing (YIMM) during the launch.

Taking part in the Underbone 115cc category this season would be Tunggal Jaya which will be represented by Hadi Wijaya and Ferlando Herdiana. Meanwhile, Indoprom TJM which homes Dimas Ekky Pratama, Doni Tata Pradita and 2011 Underbone 115cc Champion, Rafid Topan Sucipto and ASH represented by Dwi Satria and Sudarmono is set to take up the SuperSports 600cc challenge across Asia.

Issued by Global PR Sdn Bhd
Copyright to Two Wheels Motor Racing Sdn Bhd
]]> 1328771592 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:13:12 -0700 <![CDATA[NASSER AL-MALKI'S TWO-IN-ONE]]> http://www.creativebugs.my/arrc/rss.php?subaction=showfull&id=1328671311&archive= NASSER AL MALKI'S TWO-IN-ONE
8 February 2012

The busiest and certainly most pressured rider during the final round of the 2011 PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship held in Qatar in December last year would certainly be local wildcard rider Nasser Al Malki.

The 27-year-old who started his racing career in 2007 had rapidly established himself as one of the top riders in Qatar. The 2011 season had been a fruitful one for him - he took part in the World Endurance Championship, and raced three times in the Moto2 class of the MotoGP as a wildcard rider, maintained his top-3 position in the Qatar International Road Racing Championship, and ended a productive season by becoming Qatar's sole representative in the last leg of the PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship.

For the race weekend stretching December 14 to 17, Nasser set himself the twin goal of keeping up his strong results in the QIRRCH and at the same time, establish himself amongst Asia's best riders. It was a challenging and physically demanding task as the race schedule saw the two premiere classes of both the Asian Championship and the QIRRCH being conducted back to back.

"I literally have to end one practice, return to my pit, gulp down some water, and climb back up to my other bike to go out for yet another round of practice," Nasser briefly described his race weekend. "Not only was it very tiring, but it also required a lot of mental stamina and focus. This is because the ARRC and the QIRRCH runs on slightly different specs - but most glaring of all, is the difference in tyres. That to me, was the biggest hurdle."

Despite his struggle to come to grips with the Dunlop Unbeaten 02 used in the Asia Road Racing Championship, Nasser clocked strong results throughout the practice sessions - 7th fastest in the free practice sessions and qualified for 11th on the grid. In Race 1, Nasser finished within the points in 14th place and was all set to gun for a top-10 finish in Race 2 when his ride was prematurely aborted.

"2011 had been a huge learning experience for me. We are still in the planning stage for the 2012 season but a full-season ride in the Asian Championship is very much a possibility," Nasser concluded.

Issued by Global PR Sdn Bhd
Copyright to Two Wheels Motor Racing Sdn Bhd
]]> 1328671311 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:21:51 -0700 <![CDATA[ARRC RIDERS RECOGNIZED]]> http://www.creativebugs.my/arrc/rss.php?subaction=showfull&id=1328262796&archive= ARRC RIDERS RECOGNIZED
3 February 2012

Malaysian Cub Prix riders, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, Mohd Emir Firdaus Hasan and Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi are being recognized by the Honda Motor Co, Japan as Honda announced an augmented team for the 2012 edition of the PETRONAS FIM Asia Road Racing Championship.

In a worldwide statement sent to the media, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer announced that the Boon Siew Honda Racing Malaysia team will be expanded from two to four riders. Ryouichi Kiyonari, ace from the British Superbike Championship Series, will be partnering up with Malaysian riders Azlan, Emir and Zaqhwan.

With this announcement, Azlan, Emir and Zaqhwan become the first Malaysian riders to be named as official Honda works riders (Honda supported rides)

In addition, Honda has also officially announced its support of the rapidly rising interest in motorcycle racing across Asia, with the introduction of a new programme for developing rider talent called the Asia Dream Cup.

This project will be a part of the PETRONAS FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, which will select riders from 12 Asian and Oceanian countries, in order to train future Grand Prix. Honda will supply racing specifications machines based on its global CBR250R model and send the former MotoGP rider Makoto Tamada to all races to offer advices and guidance to young riders.

Below are some of the road races that will be participated by Honda:

FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Series
MotoGP
Respol Honda Team (Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa)
Team San Carlo Honda Gresini (Alvaro Bautista)
LCR Honda MotoGP (Stefan Bradl)

Moto2
NGM Mobile Forward Racing (Yuki Takahashi)
Italtrans Racing Team (Takaaki Nakagami)
Gresini Racing Moto2 (Ratthapark Wilairot)

Moto3
Technomag-CIP-TSR (Kenta Fujii)

FIM World Superbike Championship Series
Honda World Superbike Team (Jonathan Rea and Hiroshi Aoyama)

Suzuka 8hours Endurance Road Race
Honda plans to enter riders who are active in championship races around the world and in Japan, such as Jonathan Rea, who competes in the FIM World Superbike Championship (WSB) and Kosuke Akiyosi who currently competes in the MFJ All-Japan Road Racing Championship Series. These rides will come from veteran endurance race teams such as F.C.C. TSR Honda and MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO.

FIM Asia Road Racing Championship Series
Boon Siew Honda Racing Malaysia (Ryuichi Kiyonari, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, Mohd Emir Fridaus Hasan and Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi)

For more information, attached is the Press Information on the Honda 2012 Motorsports Overview.

2012_Honda_Motorsports_Overview_PressRelease_12feb03.pdf
]]> 1328262796 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:53:16 -0700 <![CDATA[REN TOBA TAKES ON THE UNDERBONE CHALLENGE]]> http://www.creativebugs.my/arrc/rss.php?subaction=showfull&id=1328251539&archive= REN TOBA TAKES ON THE UNDERBONE CHALLENGE
3 February 2012

During the final leg of the 2011 season held in Qatar, one young Japanese rider generated much interest in the Asian paddocks when he notched up a little corner of the Asia Road Racing Championship history all to himself as the first Japanese rider in the Underbone class.

The Underbone class, as a unique motorsports heritage of South East Asia, had always been the playground of the Indonesian, Thai and Malaysian riders. Intensely competitive, in recent years, Underbone racing has generated huge interest amongst Japanese motorsports fans, especially when the Asia Road Racing Championship began racing in Autopolis in 2009. Industry players and fans alike were captivated by the display of skill and gamesmanship in the class, viewing it as a great platform to cultivate the fighting spirit amongst young upcoming riders.

This was what sparked off young Ren Toba's interest in the class. The 15-year-old had been racing for 7 years, beginning with mini bikes when he was 9 years old. "My younger brother received a pocket bike as a Christmas present and we used to share it. We started racing together," Ren explained. From there, Ren and his brother had steadily moved up the race classes going from mini bikes to GP Mono and for Ren in 2011, taking part in the GP3 class of the Kyushu Road Race Championship.

"I was so intrigued the first time I watched the Underbone bikes in action at Autopolis. I knew immediately that I wanted to give it a try."

The opportunity finally came during the season-ending round of the Asia Road Racing Championship in Qatar. Ren snared himself an Underbone wildcard ride through Malaysian team Pachie Yuzy Honda Racing.

"We were very excited when the wildcard opportunity presented itself. As a young rider who has just started his career, I felt it was important for Ren to be exposed to as many types of racing as possible. With the Asia Road Racing Championship now being seen as the next step up from the Japanese regional and national championships, this wildcard opportunity would give Ren an early boost in his career," said Ren's father, Kazuhiro Toba.

Despite it being his first Underbone ride, Ren gave good account of himself, posting strong improvements from one practice session to another. From being 10 seconds off the leader's pace in the first free practice, Ren improved dramatically with each successive time out on track. By the second qualifying practice, Ren was only 5.6 seconds off the leader's fastest lap.

But in the Underbone class, the practice and race environments can differ greatly, and Ren was in for a shock in Race 1. "I knew that the race battle would be very aggressive. I had previously watched videos of the Underbone races. Even so, nothing could have prepared me for the sheer physical closeness of the riders. Back home in Japan, I have never experienced anything like it." Ren finished the first race in 11th place and managed to break into the top-10 in Race 2.

"I am satisfied with the results I got from the first race. Working with team Pachie Yuzy Honda Racing was also very gratifying as they were highly professional and were able to work with riders of differing levels of experience. Underbone racing is very difficult, but I hope to have a chance to return in 2012 for a full season," said Ren.

Issued by Global PR Sdn Bhd
Copyright to Safe Aim Mutual Sdn Bhd
]]> 1328251539 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:45:39 -0700 <![CDATA[EXCLUSIVE: Q&A WITH RAFID TOPAN]]> http://www.creativebugs.my/arrc/rss.php?subaction=showfull&id=1328167702&archive= EXCLUSIVE: Q&A WITH RAFID TOPAN
31 January 2012

Rafid Topan needs no introduction. The Indonesia national displayed superior skill and control to dominate the 2011 PETRONAS ARRC season with nine wins out of 12 races, ultimately ending the Underbone 115cc title chase with a whopping 261 points beating 2010 Champion and compatriot, Hadi Wijaya. The Yamaha CKJ TJM Racing tells us of his illustrous campaign.

For starters, you must feel stoked about winning the Underbone 115cc category. What do you have to say for yourself?

I feel awesome! It feels really good to see our efforts pay off! Most of the credit goes to the team who did a great job in setting up the machine. We had very minimal faulty issues regardless of the different environment we were in and this gave us a major advantage against contenders.

In total you locked nine victories out of the 12 races. Would you say it was an easy run?

Definitely not. In fact it was very hard. My contenders were fast and their machines were tuned up with emphasis to durability so it's quite normal to see them taking lead during a race. I on the other hand bank on my machine's speed at the final sprint. It was a big gamble but I'm very pleased to see everything work out fine. All in all it was a great year for the whole team except for that part where I injured my shoulder mid-season.

What were your best memories from last year?

First of all, it was when I was crowned the 2011 Underbone 115cc Overall Champion and secondly was when I confessed my love for my girlfriend on live television!

We understand you will embark on a new journey in the SuperSports 600cc this season. You must feel really excited. What's your take on this?

I can't wait! Like many young riders, I dream of making it to MotoGP like Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (PETRONAS Syntium Moto Yamaha Raceline). But I'm still short in experience particularly on 600cc machine and moving on to the SuperSports 600cc in the PETRONAS ARRC is the next step. Timing couldn't be perfect as I am still young.

Do you have any experience riding a 600cc machine?

Last year, besides racing in the underbone races, I've spent a fair amount of time adapting to the 600cc machine in the national series and Malaysian Super Series (MSS). I hope with the basic experience I've gained, I won't be too far behind from rivals this year. At the same time, I still have a lot to learn so there are no high-expectations.

Issued by Global PR Sdn Bhd
Copyright to Two Wheels Motor Racing Sdn Bhd
]]> 1328167702 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:28:22 -0700 <![CDATA[TOPAN, FUJIWARA AWARDED AT FIM ASIA RIDERS OF THE YEAR GALA]]> http://www.creativebugs.my/arrc/rss.php?subaction=showfull&id=1327891276&archive= TOPAN, FUJIWARA AWARDED AT FIM ASIA RIDERS OF THE YEAR GALA
26 January 2012

2011 PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) Champions, Katsuaki Fujiwara and Rafid Topan Sucipto did their respective countries proud following their recognition during the first-ever FIM Asia Riders Of The Year Gala Awards Ceremony recently.

Held in Singapore on 16th January, the ceremony marked the first-ever simultaneous feting of the champions in different motorcycle sports disciplines in FIM Asia history.

Topan (Yamaha CKJ TJM Racing) who hails from Indonesia alongside Japanese national, Fujiwara (Manual Tech BEET Kawasaki Racing) who delivered extraordinary performance in the PETRONAS ARRC to win the Underbone 115cc and the SuperSports 600cc category respectively were among the few notable names given the honors.

Others included Mr. Dian Delato of Ikatan Motor Indonesia (IMI) representing Team Indonesia, champion of the Asian Cup of Road Racing series, Mark Reggie Flores (Philippines) Champion, Asian Junior 85cc category Asian Motocross Supercross Championship, Trakarn Tungthong (Thailand) champion, Asian Supermoto Championship, Arnon Theplib (Thailand) champion, Asian MX2 category, Asian Motocross Supercross Championship and Manoch Abdulkaree (Thailand) champion, ED1 Category, Asian Enduro Championship.

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Copyright to Two Wheels Motor Racing Sdn Bhd
]]> 1327891276 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:41:16 -0700 <![CDATA[HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR]]> http://www.creativebugs.my/arrc/rss.php?subaction=showfull&id=1327460294&archive= HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR
23 January 2012

The PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) and its corporate partners would like to wish families, friends, fans and supporters of the Championship a very happy and prosperous Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fatt Cai!

Issued by Global PR Sdn Bhd
Copyright to Two Wheels Motor Racing Sdn Bhd
]]> 1327460294 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:58:14 -0700