Brake problems can’t stop Hafizh from delivering JDT’s first win in ARRC

Sweet victory: Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah helped Johor Darul Ta’zim Racing Team clinch their first win of the Asian Motorcycle Championship (ARRC) at Zhuhai International Circuit.

PETALING JAYA: Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah gave Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Racing Team their first motor racing victory after winning Race 1 of the second round of the Asian Motorcycle Championship (ARRC) at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China.

Malaysia also enjoyed double cheers in the ASB1000 category with Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (TKKR Racing Team) climbing the podium after finishing the race in third place behind Indonesian rider Andi Farid Izdihar (Honda Asia Dream Racing).

Hafizh, who started the race from pole position, dominated the proceedings on his Ducati Panigale bike to achieve his breakthrough on the Asian stage.

Azlan, who won Race 1 of the opening round of the ARRC in Buriram, Thailand, last month, took the fight to the former MotoGP rider but lost ground in the last three laps after he was blocked by another rider.

Hafizh will be pleased to secure his second podium and the first win on the ARRC stage.

The 29-year-old finished second in Race 2 of the first round in Buriram.

Hafizh said victory was not as easy as many thought after starting from pole as he encountered brake problems at the start.

“It was not easy to handle the race because in the last three laps, I had difficulty stopping my machine.

“My bike was swinging a lot when I brake and it’s like I was riding a horse.

“We will see in tomorrow’s second race. We will try to improve further in the warm-up session because if we get better stability, we can do better in the race,” said Hafizh.

Azroy Hakeem Anuar won the Supersports 600cc category for Malaysia after beating Thai rider Apiwath Wongthananon on the last lap.

Mohd Helmi Azman claimed the last podium spot for Malaysia as well.

In the AP250 category, former world championship rider Mohd Syarifuddin Azman of Idemitsu Boon Siew Honda Racing Team just missed out on the podium after taking fourth place. Vietnamese rider Cao Viet Nam won the 10-lap race for the Honda Racing Vietnam Team.

RACE 1 RESULTS

ASB1000: 1. Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (Mas) JDT Racing Team 20:24.461, 2. Andi Farid Izdihar (Ina) Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo 20:25.215, 3. Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (Mas) TKKR BMW Racing Team 20:27.603.

Supersports 600cc: 1. Azroy Hakeem Anuar (Mas) Idemitsu Boon Siew Honda Racing Team 19:36.159, 2. Apiwath Wongthananon (Tha) Yamaha Tekhne Racing Team 19:36.542, 3. Mohd Helmi Azman (Mas) Boon Siew Honda Racing Team 19:39.194.

AP250: 1. Cao Viet Nam (Vie) Honda Racing Vietnam Team 18:42.822, 2. Mohd Faerozi Toreqottullah (Ina) Yamaha Racing Indonesia 18:42.054, 3. Herjun Atna Firdaus (Ina) Astra Honda Racing Team 18:42.409.