IATC 2023 Review: Pratama Becomes First Indonesian IATC Champion with 9 Wins out of 12

Rookie Takahira Wins Season-opener

The opening round of the IATC was held in August at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. In Race 1, 14-year-old rookie Riichi Takahira pulled away from the lead pack  mid-race, but Veda Pratama, third last year, was quick to close in on him. With two laps to go, the battle for the lead became a duel between Takahira and Pratama. Takahira crossed the line  0.113 seconds ahead to mark his IATC debut with a win.

In Race 2, Takahira and Pratama again battled for the lead, but this time Pratama was victorious. Rookie rider Zen Mitani, like Takahira, also performed will in his debut race, finishing on the podium in third place in both races 1 and 2.

Round 2, Japan, was held at Honda's home track, Mobility Resort Motegi. Race 1 got off to a turbulent start with four riders crashing at the first turn. The winner of the close race, in which positions changed at every turn, was Pratama who started from sixth grid, with Mitani second and Amon Odaki third.

In Race 2, Pratama won a close battle with Odaki on the final lap to take the win. While Takahira and Odaki retired due to crashes, Shinya Ezawa followed in second place, and Jakkreephat Phuettisan third for his first podium.

Pratama, Phuettisan Winners at Home Rounds

In Round 3 at the Mandarica International Circuit, local Indonesian hero Pratama won both races, marking his fifth consecutive win from Race 2 in the opening round.

In Round 4, Race 1 in Thailand, Pratama was in the lead of a five-rider field when he collided with Ezawa, who had tried to cut inside at the final turn on the last lap. He was able to avoid falling, but his winning streak came to an end with a fifth place finish. Phuettisan won the closely contested Race 1, his first win of the season in his home country.

In Race 2, pole-sitter Pratama won and leaped closer toward the title, with Odaki behind in second and Phuettisan third.

Pratama Takes the IATC Title Before the Final Round

In Race 1 of Round 5 in Malaysia, title contender Pratama crashed on the second lap, leaving the battle for the lead between Ezawa and Odaki. On the last lap, Odaki took the lead at the braking point on the final turn, securing his first victory since the opening round last season.

In Race 2, Pratama was off to a good start, from fifth grid to the lead by Turn 4. From mid-race, he defended his lead to the end, becoming the first Indonesian rider to win the IATC championship, with the final round remaining.

In the sixth and final round in Qatar, Pratama again completely dominated, winning nine out of the 12 races. Odaki moved up five places compared to 2022 to second overall, and rookie Ryota Ogiwara third with consecutive podium finishes in the last three races.

Rd.01 Malaysia Race1：The rookie beats Pratama by a tenth in Race 1 on a drying Sepang International Circuit

Rd.01 Malaysia Race2：The Indonesian stamps some authority on Sunday as Takahira and Mitani make it double podiums

Rd.02 Japan Race1：Pratama breaks clear to claim Race 1 victory

Rd.02 Japan Race2：Pratama Doubles Up Following Final Lap Drama

Rd.03 Indonesia Race1：Pratama Beats Odaki in Race 1 Thriller

Rd.03 Indonesia Race2：Perfect Pratama doubles up on home soil

Rd.04 Thailand Race1：Thai Delight: Phuettisan Claims Dream Home Turf Victory

Rd.04 Thailand Race2：Pratama returns to winning ways in Buriram epic

Rd.05 Malaysia Race1：Odaki Duels Ezawa in the Wet as Pratama Crashes out at Sepang

Rd.05 Malaysia Race2：Pratama is Indonesia’s First Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup Champion!

Rd.06 Qatar Race1：Pratama grabs record-breaking 8th win in dramatic Qatar Race 1

Rd.06 Qatar Race2：0.010s in it: Pratama fends off Ogiwara for ninth win

Standings