Yamaha Thailand Racing Team exploded with 2 wins and 3 podiums; "Idea-Kritpat" swept the AP250 victories, while "Tee-Anupap" fought hard to hold a top-four spot in SS600 at the ARRC season opener in Sepang.
Yamaha Thailand Racing Team, a premier Thai racing squad, kicked off the 2026 Asia Road Racing Championship season with a fiery performance, securing 2 wins and 3 podiums. "Idea" Kritpat Khunkam, racing the YAMAHA YZF-R3, claimed consecutive wins to lead the Asia Production 250cc class. Meanwhile, "Tee" Anupap Samul, despite crashing in race 2, fought back to finish and earn crucial points, ranking fourth overall in the SuperSport 600cc class after intense competition at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia.
The Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 season opener’s second race took place on Sunday, 12 April, on a 5.543-kilometer circuit.
Following an excellent performance in race one on Saturday, with "Idea-Kritpat" winning and "Tee-Anupap" finishing second, the team used the gathered data to fine-tune their bike setup perfectly for race two.
In the SuperSport 600cc class, "Tee-Anupap" started from sixth on the grid aiming for a victory. However, an unexpected highside crash at turn four in the first lap occurred. Demonstrating great spirit, the Thai rider remounted and returned to the race, finishing 12th and securing important points, maintaining fourth place in the championship with 24 points after two races.
In the Asia Production 250cc class, the track was damp due to prior rain. Starting from 10th on the grid, "Idea-Kritpat" launched an impressive charge, taking the lead at the first corner, steadily extending his gap, and crossing the finish line first to claim a second consecutive commanding win by over five seconds.
Meanwhile, "Gas" Theeranut Thabtim, the team’s young wildcard rider number 36, started 18th but unfortunately crashed and was unable to finish the race.
After two races at the season opener, "Idea-Kritpat" has collected the full 50 points and leads the Asia Production 250cc standings by 19 points over second-place Reza Danica Ahren from Indonesia, while "Gas-Theeranut" earned 6 points from the first race.
The next round of the 2026 Asia Road Racing Championship is scheduled for 8-10 May at Chang International Circuit in Buriram Province, which will be a home race for the Thai riders.