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2016.6.5
A Commemorable Day for Team Philippines. Mascardo wins the first pole position and Sobretodo wins the first race for Philippines
SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE (SAC) Day 2 at Suzuka Circuit became a day to remember for Philippine’s racing fans, as #43 April King Mascardo became the first Filipino rider to win a pole position in an International race, while #22 Eane Jaye Solacito Sobretodo became the first Filipino rider to win a International sanctioned race. #29 Mario U. Borbon Jr. finished 2nd race, making it a 1-2 finish for Team Philippines.
Mascardo took this pole position with a course record of 2’52.455, which was 5.3 seconds faster than last year’s pole, with 9 riders going faster than the course record. This once again proved that the All New Suzuki Satria F150’s (Raider F150 in Philippines) performance is higher than it’s previous model. #20 Jefri Tosema (Indonesia) took the 2nd grid with a lap time of 2’52.936, while his teammate #30 Rizal Feriyadi (Indonesia) qualified 3rd with a lap time of 2’53.355.
Race 1 started in the afternoon, with cloudy skies and a bit cold than expected. Polesitter Mascardo took the lead at the start, with Tosema and #87 Muhammad Sapril (Indonesia) following him. It soon became a three way battle, with the 3 riders changing leads throughout the race, lapping at more than 5 seconds faster than the race last year at Suzuka. It was then Sobretodo that caught up with the leading group in the later stages of the race. Borbon and local favorite #11 Maxi Hattori was right behind the pack, making the final lap a more exciting but clean race. The leading four would not make any comprimises as the they fought to the final chicane.Sapril, Mascardo, and Tosema made a three wide turn into the chicane, but Tosema who took the inside line fell taking away Mascardo and Feriyadi with him. Sobretodo who was right behind the three managed to avoid contact, finishing on top in the one of the most exciting race in SAC history.
Borbon came in 2nd and Hattori finished 3rd for the podium. #14 Arsyad Rusydi (Singapore) came in 4th, while Tosema, Sapril, and Mascardo who were able to rejoing the race finished 5th, 6th, and 7th.
Full race video can be found here:
2016 SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE RACE 1 FULL VIDEO
#22 Eane Jaye Solacito Sobretodo | Race 1 Winner
Suzuka is a very challenging course. I don’t like the first corner into the final chicane, but I like challenging courses like Suzuka. I followed the leading group throughout the race, and was able to to take the lead at the 2nd turn in the final lap, but I was not able to hold on to that lead. The three riders in front of me jumped into the final chicane three wide, so I was prepared if anything happened to the three. I am very happy for Philippines, as my win became the first win in an International race. I am happy as well as proud that I am able to compete in the SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE.
Yukio Kagayama | General Manager
First of all I would like to congratulate Eane Jay and Team Philippines for his first win. Although Sapril, April, and Jefri fell at the final lap, they made this race a dramtic and an exciting one.The All New Suzuki Satria F150 showed us once again its high potential, as average lap times in every session were more than 5 seconds faster than the race last year with the earlier model. I wish to see the same clean and exciting race again tomorrow.
Shunji Yatsushiro | Rider Coach
The race became an exciting one with 4 riders racing in a pack into the final chicane on the last lap. I was sorry to see the three riders crash, but it made the finish a dramatic one, and I was able to enjoy watching it. I am happy that all riders came back without any major injuries. I expect the same exciting race tomorrow, but hope not to see any crashes.
