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2017.8.15
Jefri Tosema wins Race 2 for Indonesia
The final day for SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE (SAC) in Round 4 of the 2017 season was held in Sentul International Circuit, located 50km south of Jakarta. Suzuki’s single-platform GSX-R150 series, is closing in on its season finale, with just the Thai Round left after this round in Indonesia.
Suzuki Riding Clubs from all over Indonesia, came to cheer the riders. Over 2,000 Suzuki bikes, and 3,000 Suzuki fans came to Sentul on Sunday to cheer their favorite riders.
After two incidents occured in Race 1 the previous day, Kagayama re-educated the riders, and requested them to show him and the crowd a clean and fair race in Race 2. #11 Ahmad Saugi Muchtar (Indonesia) and #27 Nur Alfath Sam Ahmad (Indonesia) was penalized for their conducts in Race 1 and had to start Race 2 from the pitlane.
Just as Kagayama has re-educated, the riders showed the spectators one of the cleanest and fairest race of the season. The race progressed with multiple lead changes in every lap, with almost the whole field in one pack. This continued until the final lap. In the final lap, #33 Ahamed Kadai Yaseen (India), #43 Edward Faulkhead (Australia), #22 Eane Jaye Solacito Sobretodo (Philippines), and #76 Chepy Armansyah Suryadi (Indonesia) all came into the front but it was 2016 SAC Champion, #1 Jefri Tosema (Indonesia) that took the lead in the end. Tosema pulled away from the pack with 2 corners to go, and won the race, making it the first win for Team Indonesia this season. Current point leader, #78 Punchana Kulrojchalalai (Thailand) and #17 Tetsuya Fujita (Japan) made great moves at the final corner, and finished 2nd and 3rd respectively to fill the podium.
Punchana now extended his lead in the point standings by 33 points, and Championship will be decided at the final round in Thailand.
The final round of the 2017 SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE will be held in Buriram, Thailand on December 1-3.
#1 Jefri Tosema | Race 2 Winner
“I am very happy that I was able to win, despite the fact that I injured my finger from the fall I had in Race 1. This is the first time I have ever ridden the GSX-R150, but it was a lot of fun to ride it, and I think it suits me more. We have a lot of fast riders this year. Punchana was one of the fast ones, and he reminded of my rival last year, Rozaliman. It was a good experience for me to race with them.”
Yukio Kagayama | SAC General Manager
“Lots of Suzuki fans came to support the riders again this year, and I am sure that they motivated the riders well. I am happy to see that the riders showed us a clean and fair, but a very exciting race. It proved that our riders have a lot of skills. I would like to thank Suzuki Indonesia and the Suzuki supporters for making this week a very successful one. There is only one more round to go this season, and I will prepare the best environment for the riders.”
Shunji Yatsushiro | Rider Coach
“I am happy that the riders learned from their mistakes in Race 1, and showed us fair fight in Race 2 without any incidents. Jefri was injured in Race 1, but showed us all a good race and won Race 2. A lot of Suzuki came to cheer for the riders, and I could feel the Asian power today. Punchana did what he can do, and extended his lead in the Championship, and Fujita recovered from his mistakes in Race 1 and made the podium, so I am happy for them too.”
