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2015.12.9
Andreas, Patis, and Murase participates in the SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE Step-up Audition
Step-up Audition for the selected SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE riders took place December 7th and 8th at Chang International Circuit, located in Buriram, Thailand. Top 3 ranked rider of the 2015 season, Andreas Gunawan (#43 Indonesia), Patis Chooprathet (#98 Thailand), and Takeru Murase (#83 Japan) tried participated in this audition.
The three riders took turns in riding Team KAGAYAMA SUZUKI Asia’s Suzuki GSX-R600. The #41 machine, ridden by Noriyuki Haga in the final round was used in this two-day audition. After Kagayama’s briefing on day 1, the riders mantled on the #41 machine for the first time to check their riding position.
The riders rode a 40 minute session in their first outings, getting used to fully tuned Suzuki GSX-R600. In their second outing, the machine was set-up to suit their riding style. Although all three riders have different experience on a big machine, they all finished the audition as planned and without any incident nor injury.
Yukio Kagayama | General Manager
I am happy that the first season of the SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE ended. As the first event of the 2016 season, we invited three riders who showed great performance during the season to audition for Team KAGAYAMA SUZUKi Asia. This audition is the next step for the “Road to MotoGP™” program. They both rode the #41 machine, in the exact same setting that Noriyuki Haga rode in Race 2.They took turns in riding the Suzuki GSX-R600 in this two-day audition. Although, their riding time was not long, no one crashed, and I was able to see that they utilised what they learned during the season, and showed ability to ride big machines. I am glad to see that this audition was a meaningful one.
Andreas Gunawan | Indonesia
I couldn’t ride well at first, but as I got used to the powerful machine, my riding got better. In my second outing, the team changed the riding position that suited me, and I was able to improve in my lap time. If I practice more, I should be able to do better. I now know that I need to train my muscles and gain more weight to ride such powerful machine.I learned a lot this year at the SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE, and I was happy that I was able to travel around Asia. I remember the first race at Sepang, and winning Race 1 and coming in 2nd in Race 2. I enjoyed Suzuka as well, where I had to change directions swiftly at low-speed turns. I was able to make friends from different countries, and race with them. I really want to thank everyone for giving me this opportunity to participate in this series!
Patis Chooprathet | Thailand
The team took time to set the position for me. Although I would have wanted more time, to set-up the bike, I adjusted my riding style to suit the set-up. Kagayama-san gave me advice throughout the session, and if I had more time, I am confident I would have lapped a better time.This year has been a good experience for me. Good riders from different countries participated in the SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE, and it made me rethink about my riding, and I was able to level up from the past. I hope I can race with Team KAGAYAMA SUZUKI Asia next year.
Takeru Murase | Japan
It took some time to learn where to brake and which line to take in the beginning. Riding the GSX-R600 is completely different from the FU150 where braking was short to maintain the speed needed to run fast, so I would have wanted more time on the track.17 riders from different countries raced in the SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE, and I believe that it is a great series. My improvement I made in riding and racing this year was the biggest compared to any year in my past. In the beginning, I did not know how the other riders would ride, and I was occasionally hit by others, but I dropped my weight by 5kg, trained concentrating on my lower body, and made sure that I would be up front in the last leg of the race, and I was able to battle with the leaders. I am happy that I was able to finish the season in great terms
