Thais grab three titles at Asia Road Racing meet

Thais grab three titles at Asia Road Racing meet

JAKARTA (JP): Thailand captured three titles at the Asia Road
Racing motorcycling championship in Sentul, West Java yesterday.

The three titles came from 110cc, 125cc and 150cc races in
which seven Thai motorcyclists took most of the top places.

Eakbrach Punbupa and Ampron Siriphat, riding Hondas took first
and second place for Thailand in the 110cc. Eakbrach clocked 17
minutes 23.937 seconds while Ampron clocked 17:31.233.

Malaysia took the remaining four places through the efforts of
Faisal Ahmed, Nor Aznan Mad Darus, Affendy Abdullah and Amirul
Hizam Hizam Ngarip. Another Malaysian, M. Meganathan failed to
complete the nine-lap race after retiring in the fourth lap due
to engine problems.

Thailand continued its supremacy in the 125cc with three of
its racers in the top three places, Niphon Saengsawang, Anan
Meephainad and Supachai Ananchowong. Niphon and Anan, on Hondas,
timed 16:47.216 and 17:00.788 respectively while Supachai, on a
Yamaha, clocked 17:08.956.

Indonesia's Arief Budiman only managed fourth place with a
time of 17:23.484. Indonesia's Ahmad Jayadi led three laps and
fell on the fourth when his Yamaha slid several meters on the
circuit's asphalt road. Ahmad was not injured. Another
Indonesian, Sefri, had to be satisfied with sixth place after
clocking 17:51.869.

Thailand's third victory was in the 150cc race with Direk
Achwong and Kristmas Wilairoj grabbing first and second places.
Direk and Kristmas clocked 17:30.084 and 17:37.184 respectively.
Two Malaysian riders, Chia Tuck Cheong and Yasir Said
took third and fourth place, with 17:41.822 and 17:45.028.

Indonesia had 10 riders in the 150cc class, but none could
compete with the mighty foreign racers.

In the 250cc race, Malaysia took first place, while Japan took
second and third places.

Chow Yan Kit of the Marlboro Team Roberts clocked 25:19.394.
Two Japanese riders, T. Okada and Youichi Nakajima, made
25:42.904 and 25:47.427 respectively.

Most foreign racers were satisfied with the organization of
the one-day championship and said they were happy with the
circuit.

"The championship is very competitive but I did not have any
problems with the organizers. They were very helpful to the
Thailand team. As for the circuit, I think it's good although
some parts are slippery," Niphon said.

Thailand's Supachai said he too was satisfied with the
organization but said Indonesia should hold more motorcycle
competitions.

"In Thailand there are at least two motorcycling contests
every year. Through the two contests, we developed our
techniques. Indonesian racers are good but lack experience,"
Supachai said.

The one-day championship was attended by 54 racers from six
countries Malaysia (18), Thailand (11), Japan (2), Singapore (1),
Hongkong (4) and Indonesia (18).

Some 2,000 spectators watched the four races. (lnt)