As part of the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Championship program, a training camp was held over the weekend of July 13-14 at the Motor Sport Park Suvarnabhumi, on the outskirts of Bangkok. The objective was not only to continue the physical and technical development of this elite group of young athletes, but to simulate some of the unique challenges they will face when they arrive at Sportsland Sugo in early August.
Set in a stunning mountain location in Miyagi Prefecture, the technical 13-corner, 3.6 kilometre track has an altitude difference of 70 metres. Two key challenges are hard downhill braking from the home straight into the 90 degree Turn 1, and a tight loop of a chicane halfway through the long final corner. Strength and endurance training were therefore high on the agenda. Putting the young hopefuls through their paces were two of Thailand’s most successful ever motorcycle racers. Decha Kraisart took two ARRC (Asia Road Racing Championship) Supersport titles in 2007 and 2010 as well as the MFJ All Japan Superstock 600 Championship in 2012. Alongside Decha was ARRC 2018 Supersport champion Ratthapong Wilairot. Using tyres and cones, they mapped out simulations of some of Japanese circuit’s trickier sections, including the double right hand Turns 1 and 2, and the tight left Turn 4, which leads onto the Turn 5 S-Curve. They also recreated the deep final chicane, where races are won and lost at Sugo.
It was a tough weekend workout, and an important stage in the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU program that left the riders pumped up for Round 4 on August 2-4.
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