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2017.6.3
SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE Round 3 of the 2017 opens at Suzuka
Round 3 of the 2017 SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE (SAC) season opened at Suzuka Circuit in Mie, Japan on June 2nd. Suzuka is the home course for SAC General Manager, Yukio Kagayama, SUZUKI, and many official sponsors of SAC.
SAC is a rider development program to train young Asian riders using a single-platform SUZUKI GSX-R150. Now in its third year, SAC provides the riders with an equal conditioned race environment, training the riders emphasizing on riding technique and the ability adapt to any series in which the riders may race in the future.
Yukio Kagayama entered himself this round in the Supersports 600 category, to show the riders how a top team runs, as well as how a top rider works during race week.
SAC also invited 2015 SAC Suzuka Race 2 winner, Takeru Murase. Murase currently races in the All Japan Road Race Championship in the J-GP2 class, riding the SUZUKI GSX-R600 based J-GP2 machine.
Suzuka is the longest track for SAC this season, with a length of 5.821km, 18 turns, and two long straights of 1000 and 800 meters. It is said to be one of the most difficult tracks in the world, with two different characteristics. Day 1 of the race weekend gave the riders one practice sessions.
From this round, the SAC SUZUKI GSX-R150 had several modifications with Yoshimura’s new exhaust system, RCB’s new rear suspension, as well as new engine oil with MOTUL coming on board as the official lubricant supplier for SAC. These modifications gave the riders more option in setting up the machine. The riders used the practice session to get used to the track as well as to the new exhaust and rear suspension.
With strong winds at Suzuka on day 1, the riders had some problems with the gear ratio, but should be able to clear that problems with changing the setup for day 2. ＃78 Punchana Kulrojchalalai (Thailand) took the lead on day 1 with a lap time of 2’56.682.
Meanwhile in the Supersports 600, Kagayama intentionally setup his pit box inside the SAC pit, making it possible for the riders and the mechanics to see Kagayama and the SS600 team work up close. Although this day was the first time for Kagayama to ride a 600cc machine, Kagayama lapped his best on the SUZUKi GSX-R600 with a lap time of 2’14.156, positioning himself most of the time in the top 10.Shunji Yatsushiro | SAC Rider Coach
“The wind was very strong today, and made it difficult for the riders. I was expecting to see what the new rear suspension and the exhaust system would do for the riders, but with the difficult condition, it only made it possible for the riders to adapt to the wind. We are expecting sun throughout the race weekend so I am looking forward to a good qualifying and races this week.” 
