Yuki: This is for Zamri
Rider dedicates Race Two win to team-mate
PETALING JAYA: Japan’s Yuki Takahashi came back strongly to win Race Two of the Super-Sports 600cc in the third round of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC).
The Musashi Boon Siew Honda Racing rider, who crashed out in Race One on Saturday, romped home in 29:04.409 at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan yesterday.
T. Pro Yuzy Honda NTS’ Tomoyoshi Koyama, also of Japan, finished second in 29:05.859. Yuki Ito of Petronas Hong Leong Yamaha, the Race One winner, was third in 29:06.219.
Takahashi dedicated the win to team-mate – Malaysian Mohd Zamri Baba who is still recuperating from injuries at the Siloam Karawaci Hospital in Jakarta following an accident in the second round at the Sentul International Circuit on June 7.
“This is a very special race for the team. First, this is my home race and secondly because of Zamri. I dedicate this win to him and pray that he has a speedy recovery,” said Takahashi.
On the race, Takahashi said: “It was more challenging than I expected. I regretted crashing in Race One and I had to fight hard with Ito in Race Two.
“Ito was strong. I couldn’t overtake him until midway through when I noticed his tyres had worn out and he had difficulties controlling his bike.” Takahashi is now second in the championship standings with 77 points, four behind leader Koyama.
In the Asia Production 250cc, Trickstar Racing’s Takehiro Yamamoto capped a perfect weekend with back-to-back wins.
Yamamoto took the chequered flag in 20:47.538 ahead of AP Honda Thailand Racing duo of Nakarin Athiratphuvapat and Apiwat Wongthananon.
Yamamoto’s wins put him on 104 points, closing the gap on championship leader Apiwat to two points.
Indonesia’s Ferlando Herdian of BKMS Indonesia Racing Team was the winner of the Underbone 130cc race. Malaysian Affendi Rosli of Petronas Hong Leong Yamaha was second. Gupita Kresna of Manual Tech KYT Rextor completed the podium.