DECHA GRABS POLE POSITION

SuperSports 600cc category defending Champion, Decha Kraisart has denied Mohd Zamri Baba from his provisional pole position as he stamped his mark in second qualifying session at the third leg of the PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship that is being held at Madras Motor Race Track, Chennai this weekend.

The Yamaha Thailand Racing ace raised the benchmark higher by setting a new fastest lap record of 01:44.100s as he erased the fastest lap record (01:44.603s) that was set by Zamri yesterday. Meanwhile, Zamri of PETRONAS Yamaha Malaysia came in second fastest with an improved laptime of 1:44.131, followed by Australian rider, Aaron Morris of Yamaha Indonesia Racing with 1:44.

At such, Decha will start on pole position for both Race 1 and 2 while Zamri takes the second sport on the grid and securing the last spot on the front row is Morris.

Decha was feeling great with his today´s achievement as he never expected to create a new record here. "Setting a new record wasn´t on my mind as in the morning session my laptime wasn´t so convincing. Then, we change the suspension settings and on my part, I change my riding style. I must admit that I had push to the maximum and needless to say, I am satisfied with the results," said the 30–year old rider who has set his eyes nothing less than a win.

He went on to add, "However, I believe I can do even fastest tomorrow but I need to keep on watch out for Zamri, Morris and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman who may have the tendency to spoil my plan in the showdown."

Even though Zamri missed out on the pole position but he is contented with his second position on the grid. "I was actually surprise to see myself clocking 1:44.131s as with the same set of tyres I used yesterday, I managed to improve my laptime," said the 28–year old rider.

He went on to share, "With the addition track time, I must say I had improved on my riding. I took full opportunity in the morning session to work on my racing line and so far, I am happy with the entire progress. As on the machine setting, everything is on tip–top condition. After all the hard work everyone put in, I really hope to finish both races on the podium."

In the Underbone 115cc category, Rafid Topan Sucipto continued his impressive run as he went on to set a better time by erasing his yesterday´s lap record. The Yamaha CKJ TJM Racing rider lapped 1:59.820s to confirm his pole position. Rafid´s compatriot, Hadi Wijaya of Kawasaki NHK Rextor Manual Tech will park his bike next to Rafid with the lap time of 2:00.659s.

Meanwhile, Malaysia riders did not perform too badly with Mohd Affendi Rosli of Harian Metro Y–TEQ SCK Honda Racing clocking 2:00.659s to secure the third fastest position, followed by Mohd Ramdan Mohd Rosli (PETRONAS Syntium Moto Yamaha AHM) with the laptime of 2:00.986s and fifth fastest was Ahmad Afif Amran (Yamaha CKJ TJM Racing) with 2:01.039s.

Affendi is glad that his target to start on the first row has been accomplished. "It´s a good start for me and the team and securing the third spot on the grid has motivated me to do better. Our laptime were very competitive and I need to play a smart game for tomorrow´s final by not allowing Rafid to run away from the group," said Affendi hope to finish the race on the podium.

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Combined Qualifying Results

SuperSports 600cc

1)Decha Kraisart (THA) Yamaha Thailand Racing 1:44.100s 2)Mohd Zamri Baba (MAS) PETRONAS Yamaha Malaysia 1:44.131s(3)Aaron Morris (AUS) Yamaha Indonesia Racing 1:44.294s (4) Doni Tata Pradita (INA) Yamaha Indonesia Racing 1:44.490s (5)Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (MAS) Boon Siew Honda Racing Malaysia 1:44.564s

Underbone 115cc 1)Rafid Topan Sucipto (INA) Yamaha CKJ TJM Racing 1:59.820s (2)Hadi Wijaya (INA) Kawasaki NHK Rextor Manual Tech 2:00.264s (3)Mohd Affendi Rosli (MAS) Harian Metro Y–TEQ SCK Honda Racing 2:00.659s (4)Mohd Ramdan Mohd Rosli (MAS) PETRONAS Syntium Moto Yamaha AHM Racing 2:00.986s (5)Ahmad Afif Amran (MAS) Yamaha CKJ TJM Racing 2:01.039s