Ryuichi Kiyonari takes a bend during the practice sessions in the SuperSports 600cc category in the final round of the 2012 PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at Losail International Circuit in Doha, yesterday. RIGHT: Qatar’s Nasser Al Malki in action. Al Malki recorded the 11th fastest time. Qualifying practice sessions take place today.
DOHA: MUSASHi Boon Siew Honda rider Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman was the fastest in the SuperSports 600cc practice session with a time of 2mins, 07.633secs at the 2012 PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship at Losail International Circuit, yesterday.
The Malaysian rider was the first rider to come to grips with the new tyre ruling that came into place.
Azlan said: “I like the new compound because it allows me to brake deeper into the corners and hold the brakes while in the corner. I really like this new challenge so far.”
PETRONAS Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia’s Zamri Baba was second fastest.
The teams and riders were taking a systematic approach on the new ruling that now allows them to choose between two different types of compounds.
“The new soft compound front was good but at this point, I can’t give a sure answer just yet. It is a bit difficult for me to compare because by the time we put the new tyre in, the rear was already worn out. I think it may be difficult this year for everyone to break the 2011 lap record. That time was set while in the slipstream and to add to that, the track surface is very sandy this year,” said defending champion Kasuaski Fujiwara who was third fastest with 2mins, 08.162secs.
Qatar’s Nasser Al Malki was 11th fastest.
SuperSports 600cc Practice Results: 1. Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (MAS) 2:07.633s; 2. Mohd Zamri Baba (MAS), 2:07.743s; 3. Katsuaki Fujiwara (JPN), 2:08.162s; 4. M. Fadli Immammudin (INA), 2:08.282s; 5. Yuki Ito (JPN), 2:08.392s.
THE PENINSULA
