30 Oct 2010 Decha to lead SuperSports 600cc Race

Decha Kraisat continues to show good form bagging yet another pole to his belt in the second SuperSports 600cc qualifying here at the Zhuhai International Circuit (ZIC), host to the penultimate leg of the PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC).

The PETRONAS Yamaha Thailand rider clocked 1:39.516s ahead a field of 17 competitors, shaving 0.347s off his best lap time from first qualifying (1:39.863s).

Joining him would be teammate, Chalermpol Polamai, Md Zamri Baba (PETRONAS Yamaha Malaysia) and Toshiyuki Hamaguchi (Moto-Rev India). All three riders qualified for front row based on lap times from the first qualifying – 11:40.026s, 1:40.148s and 1:40.201s respectively.

Reviewing his performance out on the circuit today, Decha came to concluded it was a harder session compared to yesterday, "The qualifying session today was very tough as I ran on an old set of used-tyres. It was very slippery and dangerous but I’m glad I could still time the fastest lap," he said.

Dissapointed to have missed hitting his target, Decha remains optimistic for the final race. He commented, "I came to Zhuhai with a 1.38s target. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to break away from the 1.39s mark and I feel a bit down but it’s alright. I look forward to a good race tomorrow and continue to strengthen my lead in the overall standings by winning the race or getting on the podium."

When asked if he would be making any last minute changes to his Yamaha YZF-R6, Decha said, "No there will be no major changes to my Yamaha except that the mechanics will install a new set of tyres. Hopefully this will increase my chances getting on the podium."

Meanwhile, Li Zhen Peng (China Zongshen Racing) made his presence felt as he registered second row on the grid alongside Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman and Ahmad Fuad Baharudin (PETRONAS Yamaha Malaysia) and Doni Tata Pradita (Yamaha INDOPROM).

Teammates, Ho Chi Fung and Wang Zhu on the other hand will start the race from third row alongside M.Fadli (PETRONAS Yamaha Indonesia) and rookie Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (PETRONAS Yamaha Thailand).

Completing the grid would be Dwi Satria (ASH Yamaha Indonesia), Sudarmono (PETRONAS Yamaha Indonesia) and local wildcards, Nicholas Julian Winthrope, Joao Contente Fernandes and Sou Sio Hong.

Moving on to the Underbone 115cc, Fitriansyah Kete successfully broke the 2:11.538s qualifying lap record set by compatriot, Hokky Krisdianto (Yamaha TOP 1 FDR Racing) with an impressive 2:11.378s.

Second fastest for the day was first qualifying fastest rider, Rafid Topan Sucipto (CKJ Motorsports Racing Team) who timed 2:11.809s followed by Hadi Wijaya (Kawasaki NHK Rextor MTR Manual Tech Racing) with 2:11.682s.

Feeling content, Kete commented, "It feels great to grab pole at the same time break a qualifying lap record. However, this is not enough to guarantee a win because the race tomorrow is filled with fast and aggressive riders. Regardless, I will try my very best to transform this pole into another win."

As for the starting grid, Kete earned himself pole based on today’s result and same goes to Topan. Hadi on the other hand will start from front based on his best lap time in qualifying 1 followed by teammate, M.Reza Fahlevi.

Former qualifying lap record holder, Hokky will start from second row alongside Prawat Yannawut (PETRONAS Yamaha Thailand), compatriot, Vorapong Malahuan (Idemitsu Honda Racing) and defending Champion, Md Affendi Rosli (Harian Metro SCK Honda Racing) from Malaysia. All four riders registered for second row based on their lap time today.