TOPAN REPEATS DOUBLE WIN IN INDIA

Rafid Topan Sucipto displayed superior form to claim another double win and extend his lead in the Underbone 115cc standings during the third leg of the 2011 PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at the Madras Motor Race Track, India today.

The Yamaha CKJ TJM rider was exceptionally fast in both races concluding Race 1 with total time, 20:11.485s to beat compatriot, Hadi Wijaya (Kawasaki NHK Rextor Manual Tech) by 8.190s in second place with 20:19.675s. 

Newly returned Mohd Ramdan Mohd Rosli (PETRONAS Syntium Moto Yamaha AHM) closed the deal for third spot on the podium with 20:22.058s having surpassed Topan’s teammate, Ahmad Afif Amran at the last turn of the final lap.

The 16 years old Topan repeated the same game play for Race 2 to secure his second victory for the day. This time he completed the 10 lap race with 20:11.196s, a commendable 6.886s gap ahead of Hadi who timed 20:18.082s once again in second place. 

Meanwhile debutant, Afif Amran defeated more experienced countrymen, namely Zaidy Mohd Zaifaizal and Mohd Rozaiman Mohd Said of Motul Yamaha YY Pang, Shahril Izzuwan Mohd Noor (PETRONAS Syntium Moto Yamaha AHM) and Norizman Ismail (Harian Metro Y-TEQ SCK Honda Racing) in an intense battle for third spot on the podium with 20:23.468s.

Ramdan on the other hand was forced to retire before Race 2 even started following mechanical complications.

Ecstatic with his fifth win for the season, Topan commented, “All my thanks go to the team who had put a lot of efforts setting up the machine. My Yamaha was at its maximum in terms of performance and stability and this allowed me to win not one but two chequered flags today. Nevertheless, the race was far from easy and I am very happy and pleased with the results today,” he said.

The Indonesian now looks forward to maintaining his good run for the upcoming leg at the Autopolis International Race Course in Japan next month. 

“I’ve won five races in the past three rounds so hopefully I can win again in Japan next month. I want to keep my chances of winning the Underbone 115cc overall title high as the season proceeds further.”

Earning 50 points from this leg, Topan extends his lead to 125 points in the Underbone 115cc standings while defending Champion, Hadi registers second with 86 points. Shahril Izzuwan takes third spot with 76 points.

Topan's impressive run further strengthens Yamaha CKJ TJM Racing position on top of the team overall standings with 132 points while PETRONAS Syntium Moto Yamaha AHM takes second with 87 points. Kawasaki NHK Rextor Manual Tech sits in third with 86 points.