“Thai Yamaha” is fully contending for the Asian championship after the mid-season point. “Tee-Anupap” secured a podium at Motegi, closing the gap to the leader to 9 points, while “Idea-Kritpat” overcomes restrictions to remain the AP250 leader with a 29-point lead.
The Yamaha Thailand Racing Team, a top Thai racing team, continues to deliver leading performances in the Asian motorcycle road racing championship, the Asia Road Racing Championship 2026. Recently, after the third round at Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, the team holds a strong championship contention in both main classes.
“Tee” Anupap Samul, an experienced Thai rider, rose to a 2nd place podium finish in Race 2 of the Supersport 600cc category, reducing the gap to the leader to just 9 points. Meanwhile, “Idea” Kritpat Khuankham, the team's rising star, despite competing under a 400 rpm engine rev limit, managed to score crucial points by finishing 6th and firmly held the lead in the Asia Production 250cc class after the mid-season mark.
The Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 Round 3, Race 2, took place on Sunday, 14 June, at Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, featuring intense competition among Asia's top riders.
In the Supersport 600cc (SS600) category, contested over 12 laps, “Tee-Anupap,” riding the YAMAHA YZF-R6 bike number 500, started from 4th on the grid and quickly moved into the leading group from the start.
The race was fiercely contested throughout, with the Thai rider strategically saving pace for the final laps. He launched a full attack in the last three laps, taking the lead several times before finishing 2nd with a total time of 22 minutes 55.213 seconds, just 0.268 seconds behind the winner, local rider Hiraki Okubo.
This result earned “Tee-Anupap” 93 total championship points, moving him up to 3rd in the standings and narrowing the gap to leader Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin to only 9 points, keeping the Supersport 600cc Asian title fight wide open.
In the Asia Production 250cc (AP250) category, “Idea-Kritpat,” riding the YAMAHA YZF-R3 bike number 39, faced a major challenge from a 400 rpm engine rev reduction imposed by the regulations on the points leader.
Despite a disadvantage in acceleration and top speed, “Idea-Kritpat” fought strongly within the leading group and led the race multiple times throughout.
However, a critical turning point occurred in the last four laps when a rival lost control and collided with him, causing him to drop to 10th place. The young Thai rider then showed great determination, recovering back to the front group and finishing 6th with a total time of 21 minutes 34.833 seconds, just 0.648 seconds behind the winner.
After six races across the first three rounds, “Idea-Kritpat” still leads the Asia Production 250cc overall standings with 112 points, holding a 29-point lead over second place, demonstrating strong championship potential this season.
The next Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 round will be held from 7-9 August at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia. This second half of the season will be crucial for Yamaha Thailand Racing Team’s Asian championship ambitions in both classes.