MUMBAI: Grit, grind, and throttle defined the second round of the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit, where Idemitsu Honda Racing India’s riders Kavin Quintal and Johann Reeves turned up the heat in the Asia Production 250cc class (AP250).
In an eight lap, tyre-burning contest against Asia’s finest, 19-year-old Quintal clawed his way from the 19 grid slot in race one to finish 18 with a time of 19:43.239. By race two, he dug deeper, rode smarter, and powered to 15 place with a time of 19:44.506, clinching one championship point.
His fastest lap? A zippy 2:25.412 — a silver lining on a steamy Malaysian afternoon.
Reeves, starting from the 24 grid spot, rode a composed first race to place 19 with a total time of 19:44.679. In race two, he crossed the line at 20 after clocking a best lap time of 2:29.021, wrapping up a learning-heavy weekend on one of Asia’s most complex tracks.
With Kavin’s single-point gain in round two, the Indian team now sits with a total of five points in the AP250 class — slow and steady, but forward.
“Today’s race at Sepang Circuit was challenging from start to finish. The technical track demanded complete focus and tested every move. It was a tough battle out there. I am taking away important lessons and remain determined to come back stronger in the upcoming races”, said Kavin.
Johann echoed the sentiment, adding, “Today’s race at Sepang Circuit pushed me on every level. The competition was intense and the track demanding. I have gained valuable experience for the team. There’s a lot to build on. With the completion of Round two, I am focused on coming back stronger in the upcoming races”.
While the points column may not scream dominance yet, the determination in the pit lane is unmistakably loud. With more rounds to go, both riders will look to translate momentum into podiums.