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2018.3.1
SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE halts operation of the series
We regretfully announce that Suzuki Asian Challenge (SAC) will cease its series immediately after 3 years of operation in the FIM Asia Road Race Championship(ARRC).
We thank the sponsors, fan and all of the people involved in making SAC a successful one since its first season in 2015.
Yukio Kagayama
I have been involved in planning and operating SAC for the last 3 years. I would like to thank SUZUKI, SUZUKI’s local offices, Dunlop, our sponsors, all the riders and their mechanics, and my team staff for helping me make SAC a successful event. I would like to take this opportunity to specially thank Ron Hogg and all of his staff at ARRC at this time.After discussion, the decision was made to cease SAC. I was happy to see the riders grow significantly together with their mechanics, and my staff. All the riders that participated in SAC showed growth as they participated. I wish that they would all continue to be a better rider, and hope to race with them again together in World Championships in the near future
SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE (SAC)
SUZUKI and Yukio Kagayama in 2015 established SAC, in aim of developing young Asian riders to become a rider that would be able to compete in the World Championships in the future. The single-platform series used SUZUKI SATRIA F150 in 2015, SUZUKI SATRIA F150FI in 2016, and the SUZUKI GSX-R150 in 2017.45 riders from 11 countries participated in the program during the 3 years of operation. Andreas Gunawan of Indonesia took the first Championship title in 2015, followed by fellow Indonesian, Jefri Tosema in 2016. Punchana Kulrojchalalai of Thailand became the series Champion in 2017.
Yukio Kagayama
Head of Suzuki Asian Challenge Operations
February 28, 2018
