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2015.8.31
Haga earns precious points and data for the Team KAGAYAMA SUZUKI Asia
Team KAGAYAMA SUZUKI Asia, racing full season in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC), finished Round 4 of the Championship that took place at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand.
The team runs a two rider effort in the Championship, with riders #25 Rafid Topan Sucipto and #41 Noriyuki Haga on the SUZUKI GSX-R600. Race 2 of the Thai round took place on Sunday, with Haga on grid #12 and Topan on grid #19.
Haga continued to make progress with the GSX-R600 at the morning warm-up session, shortening the lap time by 0.2 seconds from his best lap during Race 1, placing him 5th in the session.
Haga started with a push, and placed himself immediately in the top group. He moved up to 3rd during the first half of the race. Eventually, he had dropped to 6th, but it looked like a safe 6th, until the final corner on the last lap. The riders in the running in the back of him came flying in. Haga heard the brakes screaming in behind, and made a move to avoid them crashing into him. He was able to avoid a major crash, but was hit. He was able to continue the race, and finished 8th.
Topan also made a steady run, trying to move up his position. But in Lap 12, his engine blew and forced him to stop the machine.
Haga added 8 points and moved himself up to 9th in the point rankings, while Topan remained in 15th.
Round 5 of the Championship is scheduled for October 1-3 at Losail International Circuit in Qatar.
Noriyuki Haga | #41
The machine during the morning session was the best of the week. I tried to set up the machine for the afternoon condition, but the setting wasn’t quite right. I did my best to stay up front in the first half of the race, but my tires finished in the later half, and that was the race for me. I was hit at the final corner on the final lap, so I was unlucky, but the SUZUKI GSX-R600 has defintely progressed and the team’s spirit is high. I plan to to improve it more and race the remaining 2 races of the season.Rafid Topan Sucipto | #25
We changed the engine mapping, and I was able to confirm that the setting improved at the morning session. I started OK for Race 2, but just as I was about to push to move up front, I saw white smoke come and had to stop the machine. The SUZUKI GSX-R600 is now much quicker, and I have more confidence now. I wish to find a good setting at Qatar, and hope I can show everyone a good race.Yukio Kagayama | General Manager
Haga was able to race for 3rd in the first half of the race. He started from 12th, so that pushed up the team’s spirit. He had to drop his pace during the last half, and I apologize to him for that. However, we were able to prove that the SUZUKI GSX-R600’s potential have improved.Topan wasn’t able to get on his best this week, but I know he has the ability to do much better. The engine broke and so we will analyze the cause as soon as possible.
The machine have progressed from the beginning of the season, and we can expect better results at the next round, so I plan to find the best setting for Qatar. I hope I can give our sponsors and our supporters a better report next time.
