The Philippine Team, which represented by Access Plus Racing-Ducati Philippines-Essenza, is looking forward to make their Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) debut this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit.

The team aims to finish a strong impression in the top Asia Superbike 1000 (ASB1000) Class with its two Ducati Panigale V4R bikes, ridden by Timothy Joseph “TJ” C. Alberto and Jonathan Serrapica.

Both riders recently completed two days of testing in Malaysia ahead of season opener. This was their very first outing on the brand new machines and Dunlop tires before the first round in the 2019 season.

Alberto constantly improved with each run as he got accustomed with the Panigale V4R. The Filipino rider’s lap times significantly improved by the end of the official test, putting him in a good position for the weekend race. His teammate Serrapica, on the other hand, also had a productive experience as the Italian-Swiss rider gained confidence on the team’s new bike.

Having covered five practice sessions over the span of two days during the ARRC’s official test, Access Plus Racing-Ducati Philippines-Essenza is now preparing for the first race of the season.

Qualifying for the ARRC’s ASB1000 class will take place on Saturday (March 9) morning followed by a 12-lap Race 1 in the afternoon, while the action-packed Race 2 continues on Sunday (March 10). A full grid of 13 riders are gearing up to conquer the 5.543 kilometers circuit.

The Asia Super Bike 1000 (ASB1000) is currently the Asia Road Racing Championship’s (ARRC) highest level of production bike racing. It offers a regional platform where riders graduating from their respective national championships can compete. The ASB1000 will run based on FIM Superstock 1000 regulations with machinery that is equivalent to what is being sold for the road going public.

Here are the list of 13 riders that will compete at the Asia Super Bike 1000 (ASB1000) category:

Md Zaqhwan Zaidi – Honda Asia Dream Racing With Showa

Broc Parkes – Yamaha Racing Team Asean

Apiwath Wongthananon – Yamaha Thailand Racing Team

Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman – ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team

Chaiwichit Nisakul – Kawasaki Thailand Racing Team

Ahmad Yudhistira – Victor Racing Team

Jonathan Serrapica – Access Plus Racing DUCATI Philippines Essenza Team

Ratthapong Wilairot – Yamaha Thailand Racing Team

Yuki Ito – Yamaha Racing Team Asean

Timothy Joseph Cua Alberto – Access Plus Racing DUCATI Philippines Essenza Team

Amirul Hafiq Azmi – ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team

Thitipong Warokorn – Kawasaki Thailand Racing Team

Patrick Li – Victor Racing Team