Sharath earns points
Honda Racing team’s Sarath Kumar secured precious points in the first race of the SuperSport 600cc double-header following an improved performance in the third round of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in Suzuka, Japan, over the weekend.
Riding a Honda CBR 600WR, Chennai-based Sarath Kumar picked up two points in the first race on Saturday, but drew blank in the second outing the day after. He has nine points from three rounds.
“Although I improved my timing with each session this time as well, I still do not have enough speed compared to my competitors. As such, I want to review the riding style and be able to run faster in the rounds to follow,” Sarath said.
However, the Honda team enjoyed better results as their 600cc spearhead Taiga Hada finished sixth and fourth to be placed fourth in the championship while in the Asia Production class, Tomoyash Koyoma was third in both races. The fifth team rider Sena Yamada also picked up useful points in both the SuperSport 600cc races.
The team are currently third in the 600cc championship and fifth in the AP 250 class after three rounds.
Sarath’s team-mate Rajiv Sethu, riding the Honda CBR 250RR in the Asia Production class for the first time at this iconic circuit, finished outside of the points in both races.
“Racing at the Suzuka circuit was not the first time because of my participation in the Asian Dream Cup in the previous season but it was still a difficult one. I was riding the CBR 250RR for the first time here. Yet, it was still a good experience as I was able to put in some good lap times,” Sethu said.
Team director Yusuke Teshima added, “We were aiming to win both AP 250 and SS 600 races, and though we couldn’t, it was one more step forward. We will continue to work on the bikes and be better prepared for the next round.”