ARRC Round 4: IDEMITSU Honda Riders Add Points in Suzuka Race 1 Despite Setbacks
Despite a challenging qualifying session, IDEMITSU Honda Racing India secured valuable points in Race 1 of Round 4 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at Suzuka Circuit.
Rajiv Sethu Finishes in Points After Mid-Race Recovery
Rajiv Sethu qualified 13th, starting from the 5th row on the grid. He made a strong start and initially gained positions but a cornering error at Turn 16 dropped him to 15th.
Locked in a tight battle with a group of riders, Rajiv briefly slipped out of the top 15 after being overtaken by Anggi Setiawan. However, he recovered well, overtaking Tatkorin Buasri in the penultimate lap to reclaim a top-15 finish, ensuring points for India.
Senthil Kumar Shows Grit Despite Late Crash
Starting 24th on the grid, Senthil Kumar displayed steady progress during the race. He improved to 22nd position by Lap 3 but dropped back to 23rd later in the race.
In a dramatic finish, Senthil crashed in the final corner of the last lap after contact with another rider. Despite damage to his bike, he managed to complete the race, showcasing determination under pressure.
Indonesian Riders Dominate Podium
The AP250 class podium was once again dominated by Indonesian riders. Andy Muhammad Fadly took a commanding win, crossing the finish line in 19:59.715.
He was followed by Irfan Ardiansyah in second place, while Reynaldo Christantho secured third after a close battle for the podium.
Team Reaction
Prabhu Nagaraj, Vice President – Brand & Communications, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said:
“Qualifying was disappointing as we aimed for a front-row start but could only manage the fifth row. However, Rajiv’s consistency in finishing within the top 15 is encouraging. Our focus now is to break into the top 10 in Race 2.”
