Hafizh roars to first win of season in ARRC

PETALING JAYA: It was a story of victory after a fall for rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (pic) in Round 3 of the Asia Road Racing Championship at the Mobility Resort Motegi in Japan yesterday.

A day following a DNF (did not finish) in Race 1 on Saturday, the JDT Racing Team rider made amends to win his first race this season by triumphing in Race 2 with a time of 24:09.165s.

He came out tops in the ASB1000 category by finishing ahead of home favourite and Race 1 winner Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO Honda Philippines (24:09.378s) while Idemitsu Honda Racing Malaysia’s Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi took third (24:12.201s).

Early drama in the race saw championship leader Azroy Hakeem Anuar crash out after making contact with Apiwath Wongthananon, forcing both riders into retirement.

Up front, Hafizh maintained his lead, but Abe made a decisive move to take over at the front on the sixth lap.

But Hafizh reclaimed the lead with a bold move in a section he knew he was strongest, charging past the chequered flag to seal a memorable victory in Japan.

“I had a good start, but Race 1 didn’t end well for me. Even for Race 2, I wasn’t feeling confident. I was maybe pushing less than my full potential,” said Hafizh.

“I tried to stay behind Abe after he overtook me. In the final lap, I attacked him in the place where I knew I was strong, and it gave us the win.

“It wasn’t a perfect weekend, but still a good one. The whole team is behind me and has made this possible, so this win is for them.”

The next round of the championship will take place at the Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia from August 29-31.

RESULTS

Race 2

ASB1000: 1. Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (Mas) JDT Racing Team 24:09.165, 2. Keito Abe (Jpn) SDG HARC-PRO Honda Philippines, 3. Sho Nishimura (Jpn) Japan POSTHonda Racing 24:12.210.

SS600: 1. Mohd Adenanta Putra (Ina) Astra Honda Racing Team 23:02.586, 2. Wahyu Nugroho (Ina) Yamaha Racing Indonesia 23:03.082, 3. McKinley Kyle Paz (Phi) Hong Leong Yamaha Racing 23:06.430.

AP250: 1. Krittapat Keankum (Tha) Yamaha Thailand Racing Team 21:36.597, 2. Mohd Murobbil Vitoni (Ina) Yamaha LFN HP969 Indonesia Racing Team 21:36.722, 3. Candra H (Ina) Yamaha Racing Indonesia 21:36.850.