Filipino rider R. K. Torres makes up for lost time
MISSED the first round of the KTM RC Cup Asia, Filipino racing protégé Ralph Kenneth (R. K.) Torres did not waste much time showing what he is capable of with podium finishes in the second round of the race held recently in Malaysia.
The 18-year- old Torres, the Philippines’ first sponsored rider to the prestigious competition, figured strongly after competing against riders from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, China, and Thailand in the race at the Sepang International Circuit.
Competing in the Orange Class category of the race for the first time, Torres faced a number of challenges, including unfamiliarity with the track and limited practice time, but rose over them to produce good results.
Starting in fifth position in the grid in Race 1, Torres accelerated to an early lead against top contenders Ibrahim Norrodin, Ahmad Idham Khairuddin, and Izam Ikmal Izamli.
Padded by his best Race 1 lap time of 2: 35.218, Torres placed fifth in the standings after two rounds, eventually ranking ninth overall among the 26 competing young riders.
The young rider hailed his initial foray a success considering that he was not able to race in the first round.
“It was a great weekend for me and for my team for having a podium [finish] for both races, especially since it’s only my first race in the KTM RC Cup Asia,” said Torres.
He returns to Malaysia in July for the next round of the race series.
The KTM RC Cup, which is being staged in the Asia region for the first time, has been held across Europe and United States to showcase and exploit the capabilities of the KTM RC 390 sports motorcycles, which is known for its speed, agility, and spectacular handling. The Orange class, which has two races per round, is open to riders aged 14 to 22 using the same bike but without any modifications.