ARRC - Noguchi completes perfect weekend with SBK1000 double in Thailand

BURIRAM - Japan's Haruki Noguchi of the SDG MS HARC-Pro.Honda.Ph team completed a double sweep of race victories in the Asia Superbike 1,000cc class after coming from behind to take Race 2 in Round 1 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand today.

After falling behind lap record holder Zaqhwan Zaidi of Honda Asia-Dream Racing and OneXOX TKKR's Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman off the blocks, the 22-year old was locked in a race-long battle to follow up his stunning victory in Race 1 yesterday.

At turn 3 of lap 2, Noguchi too moved to P1 and Azlan sled into P2, while OneXOX TKKR's Markus Reiterberger, who was mixing it at the front in the opening laps fell to third and Zaqhwan's early pace faltered to see him in fourth at the end of the second lap.

But it all changed just a lap later with veteran Azlan putting the OneXOX TKKR BMW in the lead for the first time, with Noguchi battling to stay in touch, while behind the leading pair Indonesia's Andi Farid Izdihar of the Honda Asia-Dream Racing team led the rest of the pack in third.

It was on the seventh lap that Noguchi made his move to take the lead from Azlan, while Zaqhwan put himself back in contention by moving up to third, before the next few laps saw the lead exchange between Azlan, Andi and Noguchi, before the Japanese ace made a decisive move at the final turn that saw him surge ahead of Zaqhwan to take the victory.

Zaqhwan came in second, while Azlan had to settle for third.

“It was not a bad start but everyone seemed to be picking up speed. Although I was at the front, today seemed a little tougher for me. But the last turn gave me the opportunity and I am happy for the win. I thank everyone who has worked hard for me,” said Noguchi.

The Supersports 600cc class saw Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of Honda Racing Thailand emerge winner in Race 2 of Round 1, registering a much awaited victory on home ground for the rider and his team.

Race 1 winner Khairul Idham Pawi of Malaysia started on pole, but Nakarin was determined to make up for his failure to register victory in Race 1 and took the lead at Turn 1, before fending off the pack to take victory ahead of Khairul Idham, while Japan's Soichiro Minamimoto took third spot.

“Last night I couldn’t sleep as I kept thinking about the race and how to do it differently today. The game was pretty similar to yesterday but I tried my best to manage to tires till the last lap. Personally, KIP (Khairul Idham) was very strong. But I tried overtake him at the last lap and close the gap at the last corner and I made it,” said Nakarin.

The Asia Production 250cc class saw Indonesia's Rheza Danica Ahrens of the Astra Honda Racing Team complete a double sweep of victories, ahead of Jakkreephat Puettisan of Honda Racing Thailand, whose teammate Muklada Sarapuech took third spot, while Cao Viet Nam of the Honda Racing Vietnam Team showed the Vietnamese outfit was beginning to find their footing by pipping Japan's Aiki Iyoshi to fourth spot.

“In the beginning, it was a little tough for me to find my pace but once I was ahead of them, I was focused on finding the right rhythm. I managed to create the gap and went on to pick up speed. This is a good start to the season and I am very happy,” said Rheza.

The Underbone 150cc class saw Malaysia's OneXOX TKKR Racing complete a perfect weekend with Hafiza Rofa taking victory in Race 2, ahead of compatriot Md Izzat Zaidi of the Cardinals Factory Racing Team, while Indonesia's Wawan Wello of the Pitsbike JRT Tech 2 Oneway Racing Team took third spot.

“It was a tough fight today. The riders were vigorous but I tried to push in the last two laps to catch up with the middle group before I went for the win. My team and crew members have prepared a fantastic machine and I thank them for it,” said Hafiza.

The TVS Asia One-Make Championship saw Thailand's Vorapong Malahua prove he was the master of the TVS Apache RR310 machine, taking a second victory ahead of Japan's Fugo Tanaka, while Indonesia's Decky Tiarno Aldy took third spot.