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2017.4.14
Thai duo leads the field on Day 1 at Buriram
Round 2 of the 2017 SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE (SAC) began on April 13th, in midth of Thailand’s Songkran Festival, celebrating Thailand’s New Year.
The riders welcomed #18 Patis Chooprathet as guest rider to this round. Chooprathet is the runner-up in the inaugural SAC season in 2015, and raced in the Supersports 600 category with Team KAGAYAMA SUZUKI Asia in 2016. Chooprathet was invited to race in this round by Yukio Kagayama, in order to motivate the regular riders.
Although cooler than the previous days, Chang International Circuit, the venue of Round 2, was still a hot and humid day, making it tougher for the riders and the tires.
Even in condition, local favorite, #78 Punchana Kulrojchalalai (Thailand) finished Practice 1 on top, with a lap of 2’16.650. This was already a second faster than that of the Practice 1 in the SAC race held here last year at the same track in similar condition. Chooprathet came in 2nd with a lap of 2’16.957. #22 Eane Jaye S. Sobretodo (Philippines) came in 3rd with a lap of 2’17.563.
Practice 2 was held in dry condition, similar to the Practice 1, with the wind a little stronger. Riders continued to improve on their lap times, with Punchana once again finishing the session on top of the field with a lap of 2’16.199. Chooprathet came in 2nd with a lap of 2’16.568 and #27 Nur Al Fath Sam Ahmad (Indonesia) finishing in 3rd with a lap of 2’16.896.
The race weekend continues tomorrow with qualifying and Race 1 scheduled for the day.
Shunji Yatsushiro | Rider Coach
“I am glad that both practice sessions were able to be held in dry conditions, despite the forecast of rain. Unfortunately, we had two fallers in Practice 1, but no one fell in Practice 2 and were able to improve on their lap times, so that was a good thing. I had the impression that every rider were riding confidently. We start off tomorrow with Qualifying, and the rider’s will be using brand new tires, so I am looking forward to see how fast they can go with it.” 
