The third round of the 2017 SUZUKI ASIAN CHALLENGE (SAC) has kicked-off at Suzuka Circuit in Mie, Japan, the home circuit of SAC General Manager, Yukio Kagayama, many of the official sponsors; and Suzuki Motor Corporation who has put this exciting single-platform series in place.

This weekend, the SAC organisers have also invited 2015 SAC Suzuka Race 2 winner, Takeru Murase along to the event. Murase currently races in the All Japan Road Race Championship in the J-GP2 class, riding the Suzuki GSX-R600-based J-GP2 machine.

Suzuka is the longest track for the SAC five-round season, with a length of 5.821km, with 18 turns and two long straights of 1000 and 800 metres. It is said to be one of the most difficult tracks in the world to master, with two different characteristics. For Suzuka, the SUZUKI GSX-R150 machine has had several modifications with Yoshimura's new exhaust system, RCB's new rear suspension, as well as new engine oil with MOTUL coming on board as the official lubricant supplier for SAC.

These modifications have given the riders more options in setting-up the machine, as they spent the initial practice sessions getting used to the track as well as to the new exhaust and rear suspension performances.

Due to the strong winds at Suzuka, the riders had some issues with the gear ratios, but these should be rectified by changing the set-ups tomorrow, but from the timesheets, #78 Punchana Kulrojchalalai (Thailand) was the fastest with a lap time of 2'56.682.

For this weekend’s event, Kagayama, a former Suzuki World MotoGP, Superbike, BSB and All Japan Superbike contender, aims to give the young and aspiring SAC riders an insight on how a top team performs, first-hand, during the course of a busy race weekend; and by placing his Team Kagayama Suzuki pit-box next to the SAC set-up, will allow everyone to observe the action at close quarters.

Today, Kagayama put his GSX-R600 to a best-lap of 2'14.156, positioning himself in the top-10.

SAC is a rider development program to train young Asian riders using a single-platform Suzuki GSX-R150. Now in its third year, SAC provides the riders with an equal conditioned race environment, training the riders emphasising on riding technique and the ability adapt to any series in which the riders may race in the future.

Shunji Yatsushiro - Rider Coach:

“The wind was very strong today, and made it difficult for the riders. I was expecting to see what the new rear suspension and the exhaust system would do for the riders, but with the difficult conditions, it only made it possible for the riders to adapt to the wind. We are expecting sun throughout the race weekend so I am looking forward to a good qualifying and also races.”