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2015.6.9
Jagan Kumar and Patis Chooprathet wins one each for their country
SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE, produced and operated by Yukio Kagayama, is a rider development program for riders from Asia. It’s 2nd event of the season was held in Sentul International Circuit, June 5-7, 2015.
In qualifying, Jagan Kumar of India gave its country the first pole position in international class racing.
Race 1 showed fierce but clean competion with 5 riders in the top group. The lead changed every lap, but in the final lap, pole-sitter Jagan made his way to the top and gave India its first win ever in international class racing. Patis Chooprathet of Thailand came in 2nd, while Muhammad Zulhimi Bin Yazid of Malaysia finished 3rd.
Jagan started racing at age 18, after seeing a race, and in 8 years became a winner in the international racing scene.
Race 2 once again showed fierce but clean competion. The front row starters could not run away from the pack, and the lead changed repeatedly. In the final lap, Patis Chooprathet made a clean pass and finished the race on top, which was his 2nd win of the season. Andreas Gunawan of Indonesia, who started from the last grid, finished 2nd, giving his local Indonesian fans a podium finish, while Nazirul Izzat Md Baharuddin of Malaysia, came in 3rd.5 different podium finishers showed how competitive and close the riders are in SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE.
Jagan Kumar | #33
“The SUZUKI FU150’s are very easy to control, especially in turns, and the setting really matched the circuit. I was unable to finish in points in Round 1, so I really wanted to win. I was only thinking about finishing on top in the last lap, and I was confident I could take the lead. I am very happy that I won.”Patis Chooprathet | #98
“I couldn’t run on Friday, due to my license problem, but I was able to confirm the best line in the short time I had. I changed my sprocket to make the machine geared towards better engine response.During the race, I made sure I won’t crash, and was still able to go up to the front. The next race is at Suzuka, and I it will be my first time there. I heard that it has long straights, so I plan to lose weight and hope that I can finish in good results”Yukio Kagayama | General Manager
“The riders raced cleanly in both races, both also made it an very exciting one, and I congratulate all riders for it. I can see improvement in every rider, and that is what this rider development program is all about. The next race will be at Suzuka, and I hope to show everyone what our young Asian riders can do.”Hideyuki Ogata | Rider Coach
“I want to thank all the riders that both races in Indonesia ended without any major accidents. As a coach, I have given many advices to each one, and when that advice shows improvements, I feel happy about it. There are riders that still cannot show good results, but each and every one of them are showing improvement. The fact that there were only a couple of crashes, proves that. Race 2 showed high-level racing, and especially the battle that the top 3 showed was superb. We are going to Suzuka next, and it is one of the most difficult tracks in the season. I am looking forward to witness how the young Asian riders run at Suzuka.”
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