SEPANG, Sept 22 – Malaysian rider Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman proved that he had what it takes to rise above the elements as he became the only rider form Round 6 to take home the double win, despite of the extreme heat at the Zhuhai International Circuit in August and the extreme haze at the Sepang International Circuit in September.
Azlan’s second race of the weekend got off to a conservative start when he paced in fourth from Lap 1 to Lap 5, tucked in behind Thitipong Warokorn, Apiwat Wongthananon and championship leader Broc Parkes. The Malaysian rider was jolted out of his complacency when wildcard Federico Sandi made an overtaking attempt on Azlan on Lap 5.
Fighting spirit triggered, Azlan went on a rampage on Lap 6 when he overtook Federico, Broc and Apiwat all in one lap. On Lap 7, Azlan snatched the reins from Thitipong to take full control of the race pace. Azlan’s familiarity with the Sepang International Circuit became a big advantage as he set the fastest lap of the race, 2’06.626s in the final lap.
Azlan added a fifth win to his name with 23’29.755s. 1.255 seconds behind, Thitipong managed P2 with 23’31.010s and Apiwat Wongthananon finished third for the fourth time this year with 23’31.465s.
“I had a point to prove in Sepang. It’s my home race – I had to win it!” said Azlan.
Championship leader Broc Parkes finished fifth in Race 2 and keeps the lead with 212 points. Azlan closes in on the Australian rider with 193 points while Zaqhwan stays in third with 166 points.
In the Underbone 150cc, Mohd Haziq Mohd Fairues also brought cheers to the Malaysian camp when he scored his first ARRC victory of the season with 15’36.361s.
Race 2 for the Underbone 150cc class got off with poleman Akid Aziz serving out a controversial ride-through penalty for irresponsible riding in Race 1 on Saturday. The UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team rider elected to serve out the penalty on Lap 1, giving himself more time to catch up and collect as many points as possible. As the dust settled at the end of the 6-lap race, Akid finished in 13th, enough to keep his championship lead with 119 point.
In the SuperSports 600cc category, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin is now confirmed for second overall behind newly-crowned champion Peerapong Boonlert. Kasma finished second in Race 2 behind Peerapong Boonlert. Ramdan Rosli also made it to the podium in third place.
Finally, Race 2 in the Asia Production 250cc class was an all-Indonesian affair with Awhin Sanjaya in the lead, followed by Andy Muhammad Fadly and Rey Ratukore.
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