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2016.5.10
Haga and Patis finishes in the points again at Buriram
Hot weather throughout the weekend was the biggest challenge of the weekend for the riders racing in Round 2 of the 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, and it was no different on the final day at Chang International Circuit.
The grid positions of Race 2 for #41 Noriyuki Haga and #98 Patis Chooprathet was the same from Race 1, with former World Superbike multi-winner Haga starting from 15th, and former SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE rider, Patis starting from 18th.
Both Haga and Patis made a good start with Haga jumping up to 10th, and Patis to 16th. Although both riders were averaging at their best of the weekend, but in a field where all riders were within 1.5 seconds every lap, it was difficult for both of them to catch up with the leaders. However, they both showed their full effort until the finish line, where Haga and Patis both making an overtake and finishing 12th and 15th respectively., earning points for the team.
Round 3 of the 2016 Asia Road Racing Championship will be held at Suzuka, Japan, 3-5 June.
Patis Chooprathet | #98
I concentrated on not making the same mistakes I made in Race 1, and tried to turn faster in Turn 4. I changed my setting from Race 1, and it felt good in the morning warm-up, so I was able to enjoy the race. There are many more to learn, It was raining last year at Suzuka, and I don’t like rain, so I hope it will be sunny at Suzuka.
Noriyuki Haga | #41
We tried to fix the problem we had in Race 1, where the setting package would start to not work from mid-race to finish, but it was the same in Race 2. However, we did the best we can at Thailand. We were able to get points in both races, and we plan to mature the machine more at Suzuka.
Yukio Kagayama | Team Manager
I would like to compliment Patis for his good race in Race 2. The result is the same as Race 1, but his lap time was more consistent and faster. This was only his second event after stepping up to a Supersports 600 machine from a 150cc SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE, but he was able to improve his lap every session, and I was able to see him getting better.As for Haga, we still were not able to provide him with a machine that would allow him to run at his full potential. We will reorganize our strategy for Suzuka.
