Thailand’s Patis Chooprathet became the first winner of the inaugural SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE Championship race at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia yesterday. Chooprathet set pole position aboard his Suzuki FU150, the only rider in the 1’26s, ahead of India’s Jagan Kumar and Indonesian Adhi Chandra in third. The opening race started with Patis taking the lead from the start to take the flag and his victory in Suzuki’s exciting new single-make series for young up-and-coming riders to start their progression to the top-level of world motorcycle racing. Patis Chooprathet: “The SUZUKI FU150 is a very easy motorcycle to ride. Its slim body makes it easy to turn in the corners and the engine response is very good. I tried to run the optimum race lines in every corner and my mechanic did everything that I wanted. I decided my target time for the qualification and tried to reach that target and I tried to ride safe and not be involved in any accident. I was planning to push from the start in Race 1 and was happy that I was able to do that. Now I hope I can do the same tomorrow in Race 2.” Shunji Yatsushiro - Rider Coach: “Patis was dominant in the opening race and would like to congratulate him on his win. His cornering speed is very fast and he rode the best lines and was capable of running those lines. I hope the other riders can learn from him. I am sure many riders have a lot of questions, but riders that have asked me questions have improved their lap-times. I hope they can come and ask me more tomorrow.”