31 Oct 2010 Close call for Denny Triyugo

Denny Triyugo almost lost his lead after failing to get on the Underbone 115cc podium in Race 1 here at the Zhuhai International Circuit (ZIC), but things got better in Race 2 and he is now back on top of the overall standings when Round 5 PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) came to a conclusion.

The Yamaha TOP 1 FDR Racing rider pilots the standings again with 123 points after picking up 29 points from the penultimate leg. Second comes in compatriot, Hadi Wijaya (Kawasaki NHK Rextor MTR Manual Tech Racing) with 114 points and third, Denny’s teammate, Hokky Krisdianto 94 points.

"This weekend was exceptionally tough for the team and I as our Yamaha was not competitive enough. We failed to get targeted results in the qualifying sessions and Race 1. But after making some changes to the machine, I was able to keep up with the lead pack and finished the race second. I’m very grateful and satisfied to be on top again," said the 22 years old.

RACE 1

In Race 1, Hadi Wijaya continues to surprise competitors with his third win for the season completing the 10 lap race with 22:29.057s. 0.254s later came in Hokky with (22:29.311s) and third, Md Ramdan Md Rosli (PETRONAS Yamaha AHM KHi) (22:29.351s).

Having started from third grid, Hadi tried to make an early break from the group but rivals were determined not to let him get away. Seeing there is a lot of pressure, Hadi Wijaya opted for another strategy and stayed close with the group and maintained a consistent pace.

The race progressed aggressively with the lead switching hands as each laps passed and come the last lap, every rider went hard on the throttle. However, a clean sweep at the last turn gave Hadi Wijaya the upper hand to cross the finish line first.

Meanwhile, to finish fourth was Rafid Topan Sucipto (CKJ Motorsports Racing Team) followed by M.Reza Fahlevi, Thai rider Vorapong Malahuan (Idemitsu Honda Racing), and Denny seventh.

PETRONAS Yamaha Thailand riders, Chanon Chumjai and Prawat Yannawut both failed to complete Race 1.

RACE 2
 
In Race 2, it was an all Indonesian affairs with Rafid Topan winning the race with the total time of 22:34.400s. Meanwhile, Denny and Hokky came in second and third respectively with the time of 22:35.336s and 22:35.562s respectively.

It was a three way battle between the three and much alike Race 1 it was very aggressive- only to end with a massive crash at the last turn of the last lap.
 
Malaysian rider, namely Ramdan and Mohd Rozaiman Mohd Said (Motul Yamaha YY Pang) missed out the spot on the podium when Fitiransyah Kete (Bikers Indonesia BRT Racing) who was second lost control of his machine. He crashed and Ramdan knocked into him, stripping his Yamaha naked in the process while Rozaiman was force to slow down his pace to avoid Kete.
 
No doubt, 14-year old Ramdan was disappointed with the mishap but he was still in a cheerful mood. “Overall, I am happy with my performance here today. Despite starting ninth on the grid, I gave my very best to secure a third place on the podium in Race 1 and I was hoping for a repeat performance in Race 2. But unfortunately lady luck was not on my side as Fitriansyah crashed just in front of me and there is no way I could avoid him,” said Ramdan who is seventh in the standings with 58 points.

Best Malaysian rider in Race 2 was Rozaiman in fifth place and best Thai rider was Vorapong.

Besides, Ramdan and Kete, others who failed to finish the race were Race 1 winner, Hadi Wijaya, Prawat, Md Azhar Abd Jalil (Motul Yamaha YY Pang), Nor Hisham Amran (Idemitsu Honda Racing), Gilang Pranata Sukma (Bikers Indonesia BRT Racing), Norizman Ismail and Md Affendi Rosli (Harian Metro SCK Honda Racing) and Md Fitri Ashraf Razali (CKJ Motorsports Racing Team).