Hafizh Syahrin secures Podium in Race 2, Keeps ASB1000 Title Hopes Alive

Hafizh Syahrin rebounds from Race 1 struggles with a third-place finish in the Asia Road Racing Championship, setting up a thrilling final round in Buriram.

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JDT Racing Team’s Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah bounced back from a disappointing Race 1 performance to secure a podium finish in Race 2 of the Asia Superbike 1000 (ASB1000) at the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC). 

The 30-year-old rider finished third with a time of 25 minutes and 30.275 seconds, keeping his championship hopes alive ahead of the final round in Buriram, Thailand.

Japanese rider Yuki Kunii of SDG Team HARC-PRO Honda PH took the win after 12 laps, clocking in at 25:26.318s, while Thailand’s Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo secured second with 25:29.138s. National rider Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman from the TKKR BMW Racing Team finished just off the podium in fourth with 25:36.660s.

Yuki’s strong showing in Sepang has elevated him to the top of the championship leaderboard

Hafizh had earlier struggled in Race 1, where he finished fifth, but his strong recovery in Race 2 ensures that the title race will go down to the wire at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram this December. 

Yuki’s stellar performance in Sepang catapulted him to the top of the championship standings with 142 points, overtaking Indonesia’s Andi Farid Izdihar, who finished fifth in Race 2 and now has 140 points. Hafizh Syahrin remains in close contention with 137 points.

Grateful for his team’s efforts, Hafizh said, “Thanks to my team for their hard work from day one. We’ve been constantly improving, especially after the tyre issues in Race 1 where I almost lost grip several times. We worked late into the night to resolve the problem, and I’m glad it paid off. We know Honda will be strong in Buriram, but we’ll prepare as much as possible.”

With his second child expected soon, Hafizh will now turn his focus to the final race in Buriram, where the ASB1000 title is still up for grabs.

Yuki, celebrating his double win, said, “I was nervous at the start because Hafizh was very strong, especially on the straights and under braking. But I stuck to my pace, waited for the right moment, and it all worked out. I’m thankful to my team and fans and will stay focused for Buriram.”

The final round in December promises a thrilling showdown as the top three riders battle for the championship title.