Hafizh and Zaqhwan bring more joy on National Day

PETALING JAYA: Riders Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah and Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi (pic) made it a great National Day celebration when they stood on the podium in Round 4 of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at the Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia yesterday.

JDT Racing Team’s Hafizh delivered a dominating performance in Race 1 as he rode to victory after starting the race on pole position, while Thailand’s Nakarin Atiratphuvapat came in second.

Idemitsu Honda Racing Malaysia’s Zaqhwan rounded off the podium at third.

Hafizh was setting the track ablaze, clocking the fastest lap time of 1:35.747s in the third lap, but the 31-year-old was not aware of the pace he had.

“I didn’t know what pace I was doing because the lap times weren’t showing on the dash,” said Hafizh.

“It was fine during qualifying, but not during the race, which stressed me out. I just relied on my instincts and knew I had to just continue and not make mistakes.

“A big thanks also goes to my team. We haven’t changed anything on the bike setup since Sepang, which is something I’ve never done before.

“This victory is for them. And we’ll do it again for National Day.”

RESULTS

Race 1

ASB1000: 1. Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (JDT Racing Team) 20:48.234, 2. Nakarin Atiratphuvapat (Honda Racing Thailand) 20:51.193, 3. Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi (Idemitsu Honda Racing Malaysia) 20:51.322.

SS600: 1. Mohd Adenanta Putra (Astra Honda Racing Team) 19.47.821, 2. Wahyu Nugroho (Yamaha Racing Indonesia) 19:47.964, 3. Mohd Faerozi Toreqottullah (Yamaha Racing Indonesia) 19:48.430.

AP250: 1. Fadillah Arbi Aditama (Astra Honda Racing Team) 17:53.902, 2. Mohd Danial Syahmi Ahmad Shahril (UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team) 17.54.686, 3. Krittapat Keankum (Yamaha BAF Yamalube Akai Jaya MBKW2 Racing) 17.57.673.