PUTRAJAYA – Organisers of the esteemed Asia Road Race Championship (ARRC) have firmly refuted allegations of bias or deliberate sabotage against any team, saying that such claims are unfounded.
Two Wheels Motor Racing promotions director Ronn Hogg acknowledged that they have encountered similar situations, particularly from new ARRC fans.
The cancellation of the second race at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China last Sunday dashed the hopes of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Racing Team rider Hafizh Syahrin, who was vying for consecutive victories after winning the first race on Saturday.
This decision came due to a typhoon warning from the local Meteorological Department.
However, Hogg explained that they have faced more severe backlash from ARRC fans in the past, including hacking incidents on their official website and their social media platforms being inundated with insults, protest signs, and dissatisfaction.
“We are always happy to receive boosts from fans, but we have to deal with strange questions that are difficult for us in motorsports to answer.
“Perhaps they are new fans who have just started following ARRC and are still unfamiliar with racing conditions – such as why we needed to cancel the second race at the Zhuhai Circuit last Sunday.
“The decision came directly from the Chinese government’s orders, not us arbitrarily stopping the race. But some fans questioned, if it was just a little rain, why didn’t we continue?
“So, these are the challenges, which I consider normal, that we have to face.
“This is not new because we have faced far worse situations from foreign fans before,” said Hogg.
Nonetheless, he remained proud of the competitive spirit demonstrated by Malaysia’s riders in this season’s ARRC.
He did not rule out the possibility that the championship might be decided until the final round in Buriram, Thailand in December.
“I think the JDT factor will boost in Malaysia, and it has separated JDT and non-JDT fans.
“But as Malaysian riders often say – they are competitor on the track, but they remain friends off the track. So I hope all spectators can consider this message when they are about to watch the race at Sepang in September,” he added.
Currently, Hafizh holds second place overall with 52 points, trailing behind leader Andi Farid Izdihar from the Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo team, who has amassed 65 points.
Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, the 2019 Asia champion, remains a formidable contender, currently holding third place with 45 points
The third round is scheduled to take place in Motegi, Japan, from June 7 to 9. – April 25, 2024