• 2015.12.6 Dedi Kurniawan wins his first race in SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE

  
  SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE, now in its final round at Buriram, held its Race 1 on Saturday. Point leader Andreas Gunawan, had the only chance to clinch his title in Race 1.

  Qualification took place in the morning on Saturday, and local favorite Patis Chooprathet (#98, Thailand) took Pole Position with a record 2’16.657, followed by Dedi Kurniawan (#55 Indonesia), and Andreas Gunawan (#43 Indonesia) comprising the front row. Other title contender Takeru Murase (#83 Japan) had a small faller at the beginning of the session, but was able to make a re-start, although he qualified 4th. Muhammad Zulhilmi Yazid (#31 Malaysia) qualified 6th.

  The race started with everyone in the lead pack, making the race an exciting one with many lead changes, and side-by-side racing throughout the whole race. All four title contenders were racing in the lead pack.

  Eventually after lap and lap of close racing, Kurniawan won his first race of the season, while Patis came in 2nd, followed by Muhammad Jazil Juraimi (#16 Singapore). This was the first podium finish won by a Singaporean rider in the Asian Championship. Several riders were penalized after the race including Patis and Murase, making Patis drop to 4th and Murase dropping to 6th. In turn, Nazirul Izzat Baharuddin (#88 Malaysia) finished 3rd. Title leader Andreas Gunawan finished 5th.

  After Race 1, Andreas still leads the ranking, followed by Murase, then Patis. The title will decided in Race 2 tomorrow.

  Dedi Kurniawan | #55
  I was feeling good all week this week, so I had the confidence to win. I was in the pack all the way, and was waiting for my chance, and that chance came in the last corner, so I took it. It’s already the final race, but I am going to try to win it again tomorrow.”

  Yukio Kagayama | General Manager
  The title contenders lead the pack, and the race was an exciting one as usual. 7 riders were in the lead pack until the final corner, so it proves that the level of the riders are becoming very close. Their motivation to win made some riders go out of track at the final corner, but with Dedi’s first win, and Jazil’s first podium proved that the level of the riders have significantly improved.

  Hideyuki Ogata | Rider Coach
  Overall it was a good race. The rider’s level have improved, and everyone ran much better than the last time here. The final lap was a difficult situation, and I would have wanted them to race cleaner. I wish they would race fairly at the race tomorrow.

  

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