ARRC Round 4: Idemitsu Honda Racing riders Rajiv and Senthil score yet again
Idemitsu Honda Racing India riders added more points despite the rains at the fourth round of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at Suzuka circuit, Japan. As many as nine riders lost traction and crashed out in Asia Production 250 class (AP250) Race 2.
Starting thirteenth on the grid, Rajiv made a good start and climbed to seventh place before the last corner of lap one. But then, a wet track caused him to drop to the sixteenth position. He pushed on, returning to top 15 in lap five, then got pushed back in lap six but recovered in lap seven to finish at the fourteenth position, adding two more points to Idemitsu Honda Racing India’s total score.
His teammate Senthil started twenty fourth on the grid but eventually increased his pace, progressing four places and finishing at no twenty.
The podium was occupied by Astra Honda’s Awhin Sanjaya who finished first, followed by his team-mate Irfan Ardiansyah and Andy Fadly behind him.
Commenting on the event, Prabhu Nagaraj, VP – brand and communications, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt Ltd said. “Suzuka has been a satisfying round. Today both our riders were able to complete the race despite as many as nine crashes. Rajiv maintained his pace and consistency in top 15 despite heavy rains and fog. Next round, he should bounce back stronger. For Senthil, today was his first complete wet race and he finished 20th. The progress is good and the team will further strengthen both Rajiv and Senthil’s race-craft and track riding once back in Chennai. Next up, ARRC will return to Zhuhai after seven years. This will be an absolutely new experience for most of the riders. But I am confident as both our boys adapt well in new tracks and will deliver results in China too.”
