ARRC 2025 Round 6 - Buriram
ARRC 2025 – Round 6, Chang International Circuit (Buriram)
MSBK1000 – Heart-Stoppers, Title Drama & A Champion Confirmed
Chang International Circuit in Buriram delivered exactly what Asia’s premier superbike class lives for: intense wheel-to-wheel racing, championship implications hanging by a thread, and finishes so close your pulse stayed in Z-line red. For the 2025 Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC), Round 6 served up the season finale for MSBK1000 (ASB1000), with rain-room-level tension and a title fight that went right down to the last race.
Race 1 – Hafizh Syahrin Steals the Show
The weekend kicked off strong with Race 1 live and loud under clear Thai skies. As the lights went out, it was Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi (IDEMITSU Honda Racing Malaysia) who barked his CBR1000RR-R into the early lead, forcing every other rider to chase his wake.
But Buriram is no ordinary circuit — it chews leaders up faster than you can say “apex panic.” Nakarin Atiratphuvapat (Honda Racing Thailand) countered hard, sizing up braking zones and refusing to give Zaqhwan an inch. Keito Abe (SDG HARC-PRO Honda Philippines) sat in the mix as the trio swapped positions like a deck of cards in a high-stakes game.
Enter Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (JDT Racing Team) — the dark horse turned day-maker. Starting a touch back in the pack, he methodically picked his spots and by lap three unleashed his pace, slashing through the order and carving into the fight for the front. Hafizh didn’t just arrive — he sprinted onto the scene, laying down a flurry of fastest laps and keeping the pressure on Nakarin.
By mid-race it was classic ARRC battle: lean bikes, hot brakes, and riders daring each other to blink first. Nakarin led most of the way, but Hafizh’s late-race surge was pure championship resolve, slicing past for the lead in a move that had everyone up on the fences.
🥇 Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah – JDT Racing Team
🥈 Nakarin Atiratphuvapat – Honda Racing Thailand
🥉 Keito Abe – SDG HARC-PRO Honda Philippines
That win didn’t just score race glory — it reset the championship narrative going into the finale. The Buriram crowd knew they’d just witnessed something special.
Race 2 – Nakarin Triumphs and Hafizh Becomes Champion
The pressure was dialled up to 11 for Race 2. With the MSBK1000 title still mathematically alive, every rider looked like they were racing with lit matches taped to their throttle.
As the second start blasted away, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat exploded off the line, turbo-charged by home advantage and a tactical masterclass from the start. Keeping it smooth but ruthless, he took the initiative early and never really let up.
Behind him, the familiar contenders — Hafizh Syahrin, Keito Abe, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi, and Andi Farid Izdihar — trailed in a tight formation that danced the fine line between calculated aggression and full-blown pyrotechnics.
The real moment came as laps wound down: Nakarin showed veteran control, riding with that perfect blend of speed and caution that only a true title contender can muster. Hafizh, already rich with points from his Race 1 heroics, just needed to finish cleanly — and he did exactly that, crossing the line in the fight, sealing his place atop the 2025 ASB1000 standings.
🥇 Nakarin Atiratphuvapat – Honda Racing Thailand
🥈 Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah – JDT Racing Team – Ducati Panigale V4R
🥉 Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi – Idemitsu Honda Racing Malaysia – CBR1000RR-R
But the real headline from Race 2 wasn’t the podium — it was the championship.
📍 Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah — crowned 2025 ASB1000 Overall Champion — his consistency, grit and fearless finishes across the season paying off in a big way.
Season in Perspective — The ARRC Biggest Battleground
Looking back at the year, the 2025 MSBK1000 season delivered a compelling narrative arc: seasoned veterans, hungry challengers, and plenty of podium permutations. Riders like Nakarin and Keito kept the title fight tight across all six rounds, pushing pace and pushing each other right to the wire.
And then there’s Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi, sitting high in the points and making the championship hunt feel like a full-on heavyweight scrap — placing pressure on everyone at the front.
As the calendar wraps at Buriram, the title battle may be settled, but the rivalries are far from done. Expect every baton, brake marker, and back-marker battle in 2026 to be even sharper.
What This Means for the Riders
Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah — Cemented his place as one of Asia’s premier superbike talents, wrapping the year with smart pace, flawless finishes, and a champion’s mindset.
Nakarin Atiratphuvapat — Made Buriram his playground and showed why home advantage plus pure race craft is a terrifying combo.
Keito Abe & Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi — Consistent podium fighters all season, both carved out strong positions in the standings through speed, aggression, and technical chops.
Andi Farid Izdihar — Always in the mix when it counted, adding depth to the ASB1000 grid and adding pressure on every rival.
Final Word — Buriram Went Out With Fire
ARRC 2025 Round 6 at Buriram wasn’t just a finale — it was a statement. Drama, tight margins, title deciders, and a crowd who knew every lap was worth the ticket. MSBK1000 delivered all of it: raw pace, ruthless battles, and a deserving champion standing tall.
For race fans, this is the kind of closing chapter that doesn’t just end a season — it fuels the hype for the next one.
ARRC 2026 — we’re ready when you are. 🇹🇭🔥
