2024 ARRC starts with a double podium for Honda Asia-Dream Racing

Under hot weather here, our rookie in the team, Nakarin (no.41), delivered a fantastic Pole Position in qualifying. Andi took 2nd position for a Honda Asia-Dream Racing front row, with Zaqhwan in 7th position. 

In Race 1 in the afternoon, Nakarin did a good start to keep his position but Andi slipped down the order a bit, but was able to fight back to keep his P2. Zaqhawn made a great start to P4 and kept fighting in this position until half race distance when he dropped to P6, but finally concluded with P3. Nakarin and Andi were fighting for podium positions. Andi fought back to P2 and passed his teammate Nakarin to take the lead for many laps. Nakarin fought hard and tried to overtake many times but finally finished on P5. Andi kept his lead until the final corner of the final lap where he was passed to finish P2.

Andi Farid Izdihar #23 – QP P2 / Race 1 : P2

"Today in QP, I think we improved the bike suspension, and we continued working for Race 1. In the beginning of the race, I felt good just in the middle until the last part of the race I was bit struggling with front tire, and I only could finish in P2, but for tomorrow I think the mechanics find some idea for a different setting. Let’s see tomorrow - we try in warm up and make sure everything ready for Race 2!"

Zaqhwan Zaidi #21 – QP : P7 / Race1 : P3

"In qualifying, I was not so happy because I was struggling a lot with bike setup and the lap time was not so good as finally I got P7, which was not my best target on the grid. It’s okay, I believe I can go better than this, so we still have a chance in Race 1. Finally in race 1, I got P3, which was so good. I was able to keep my pace and improving my feeling. Now I understand where I need to improve. Tomorrow in warm up we try a bit on setup to be ready for Race 2. I want to thank the team for preparing the bike perfectly in the race. For tomorrow I will fight again. Thanks for all support!"

Nakarin Atiratphuvapat #41 – QP : P1 / Race 1 : P5

"In the QP session I had a good feeling with the bike, and the lap time was better than yesterday when I used the qualify tyre which was 1 sec faster. I fixed this setting for the race. In the beginning of the race I tried to attack - after 2 laps Andi passed me and I could keep my pace behind him. After 6 laps I lost the front and couldn't follow the top group. Tomorrow we will use the medium front in warm up and we think about the tyre for race 2. This is my first race experience in this class, and we keep going step by step."

Makoto Tamada -HADR Team Manager

"It was a great qualifying. Nakarin, who joined the team this year, took an amazing pole position. Andi came in second place. Zaqhwan placed 7th. Nakarin led Race 1, and Andi led from the middle until the final lap but finished in 2nd place. Zaqhwan also caught up from 7th on the grid and took 3rd place. There were also some challenges for tomorrow's race - we will set up the machine to win. The riders really did their best. 

And I also would like to thank to mechanics. The season has just begun, and we will continue to do our best, tomorrow to become the series champion."