Azlan strikes jackpot for cashstrapped TKKR BMW in opener
Malaysia’s Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman earned big cheers and a timely morale boost for the financially strapped TKKR BMW Racing Team when he won Race 1 of the season-opening round of the Asia Road Racing Championship at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand yesterday.
The 39-year-old rider started fifth on the grid but rose to the occasion to win the 13-lap ASB1000 race in 20:50.147.
Indonesian Andi Farid Izdihar and Zaqhwan Zaidi completed the podium for Honda Asia-dream Racing with Astemo in second (20:50.541) and third (20:53.491).
Azlan used his experience to manage the tyres and was pleased to come good for the team, who only confirmed their participation in the Thailand round just last week.
The Malaysian team were in danger of pulling out after the withdrawal of their sponsor at the start of the year.
TKKR BMW Racing Team won the rider’s championship title last year through Markus Reiterberger but the German finished sixth.
“I’m very grateful for this win. We almost didn’t make it to the starting line in the first place,” said Azlan, who was the inaugural overall winner when the ASB1000 class was introduced in the championship in 2019.
“The team worked hard to ensure that we race in Buriram. I’m very happy to even race here, let alone to fight for the win. I thank the team for their efforts.”
Team manager Bobie Farid Shamsudin said they arrived in Buriram with little preparation.
“We didn’t have any spare engine for both our riders, so we were running with high risk of engine failure this weekend.
“It was remarkable how Azlan pulled it off.
“We managed to collect RM180,000 to cover the expenses through the sale of motorcycles, spare parts and also donations from fans who never stopped supporting the team.
“Now the problem is how are we going to go compete in the next round in China?”
The next stop of the championship will be in Zhuhai International Circuit in China from April 15-17.
There was no joy for former Motogp rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah as his debut with Johor Darul Ta’zim Racing Team lasted only three laps after his Ducati bike encountered technical problem.