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2016.4.2
A Tough Day for Team KAGAYAMA SUZUKI Asia
Day 2 of the ARRC season opener at Johor Circuit became a hot and humid day, not only weatherwise, but also for Team KAGAYAMA SUZUKI Asia, currently entering two riders to the 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) Supersports 600 category.
The team prepared on a high note for qualifying. #98 Patis Chooprathet, who stepped up from the Kagayama-produced SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE, lapped his best of the week at 1’33.225 and, however qualified 19th. #41 Noriyuki Haga, crashed out at his first timed lapped and was not able to record a time. The racing stewards gave Haga the permission to start the race, but from the last grid.
The damage on Haga’s GSX-R600 was significant, and the mechanics did their best but was not able to fix his bike on time for the starting grid, and forced Haga to start the race from pitlane. Haga started the race lapping at the same pace as the leaders. It did not take long for Haga to catch up. Eventually, Haga finished the race 14th, with 2 points to the championship. After being passed by Haga, Patis followed him for a couple of laps, but crashed out on Lap 7, and did not finish the race.
The final day of the race at Johor, will take place tomorrow, with warm-up and Race 2 scheduled for the day.
Patis Chooprathet | #98
We had both qualifying and Race 1 today, so it was a hard day. I concentrated on making a better lap time, but was not able to move up my position. For the race, I followed Haga but the brake did not work well, and I crashed out. Tomorrow, I will try not to lose the pack and finish in my best position.
Noriyuki Haga | #41
I fell on my first time attack lap, and that was it for qualifying. It took more time than expected to fix the bike, so I had to start from the pitlane and I finished 14th. But I was able to confirm several things from finishing the race, so I will try to find a better set-up for tomorrow and finish higher.
