Zamri zooms to double in ARRC opener

Mohd Zamri Baba celebrating after winning a double in the first leg of the ARRC.

SEPANG: Malaysian riders won all three categories to complete a clean sweep in the opening round of the Petronas Asia Road Racing Championships (ARRC) at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC). 

Musashi Boon Siew Honda rider Mohd Zamri Baba took a double victory in the SuperSports 600cc class while Norizman Ismail and Mohd Fazli Sham shared the spoils in the Underbone 130cc class with a win each on Sunday. 

Khairul Idham Pawi, meanwhile, put on a dominating show to win both races in the Asia Dream Cup series.
 
Zamri, who is still using crutches after injuring his left leg in a dirt track training accident in February, won Race One in 27:38.920. Yuki Ito of Japan finished second in 27:39.471 while 2011 champion Katsuaki Fujiwara of Japan was third in 27:40.605. 

In Race Two, Zamri played it calm behind pole sitter Fujiwara and managed to nick victory in the dying moments of the race. He won in 27:28.232 ahead of Fujiwara (27:28.314) and Makoto Tamada of Japan (27:29.004).
 
“My leg still hurts especially during the race. I was not allowed to have any injections to ease the pain because it would have made me drowsy,” said Zamri.

“Grabbing a double today was a great result for us as we want to keep the overall title in Honda’s stable. As for me, I think it is time that I mount a serious challenge for the overall title,” added Zamri, who started racing in the championships in 2008. 

In the Underbone 130cc class, Harian Metro Y-TEQ SCK Honda rider Norizman won Race One in 19:53.202. Indonesian Gupita Kresna Wardhana of Kawasaki KYT Rextor finished second in 19:53.223 while Mohd Rozaiman Mohd Said of T. Pro Yuzy Honda was third in 19:53,415.

In Race Two, it was Fazli’s turn to take the chequered flag after Norizman pulled out of the race due to a mechanical problem. Fazli of Petronas Hong Leong Yamaha completed the race in 19:31.432 while team-mate Mohd Affendi Rosli was second in 19:31.633. Rozaiman again finished third in 19:32.710. 

In the Asia Dream Cup development series where all the riders use standard Honda CBR250 machines, 16-year-old Khairul won Race One in 19:06.798. Japanese Teppei Nagoe was second in 19:06.804 while Indonesian Aditya Pangestu was third in 19:06.985.

Khairul made it a double after winning Race Two in 19:07.992. Nagoe once again finished second after clocking 19:07.995 while compatriot Syunya Mori was third in 19:08.226.