I can still win 600cc title, says Hamaguchi

PETALING JAYA: Five-time champion Toshiyuki Hamaguchi is not about to throw in the towel, just yet, in his bid to regain the Petronas FIM Asian Grand Prix SuperSports 600cc title.

The veteran Japanese rider will be gunning for a second consecutive double in the fourth round at the Johor Circuit in Pasir Gudang on Sunday.

Hamaguchi is in eighth place in the standings with the 50 points he earned from the two wins in Sepang last month. Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Malaysia’s Ahmad Fuad leads on 90 points followed by team-mate Mohd Zamri Baba (81) and Indonesian M. Fadli (72).

And there is still a maximum of 75 points left for Hamaguchi to win in the six-round championships.

“The title chase in the SuperSports 600cc category is still wide open. Only 40 points separate Fuad and me,” said the Babie’s Sports Racing rider, who was disqualified in the first round and missed the next round because of commitments in domestic races.

“I have to make up a lot of ground but with six races more to go, I think it is possible for me to catch up or even overtake the leader. My target is to win both races in Pasir Gudang.”

Last season, Hamaguchi lost the title to Thailand’s Decha Kraisart, who will hit the comeback trail this weekend after sitting out the last three rounds because of injury.

The three-day GP, which begins on Friday, will not only see the best in SuperSports 600cc but also the Underbone 115cc and two support races – the Kawasaki Cup and Honda Asean Cup.

Fans also stand a chance to win a motorcycle and other great prizes. To be eligible, they need to purchase tickets at the Johor Circuit and fill in the contest forms at the track on race day. Tickets are priced at RM20.