All are set to enjoy what will be the third season of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup. Contents: Race Preview-Entry list-Schedule-The circuit- What happened in 2015…Honda NSF250R Technical characteristics
The first event of the year will be held at the Chang International Circuit (Buriran), which will see the first two races of the season coincide with the second WorldSBK round.
It will be the first opportunity for the 21 riders (3 wild cards: #13, #20, #21) of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup to run their Moto3 Honda NSF250 machines in competition mode after two days of testing at Sepang in February. With some veterans and some rookies, the first race always brings a few surprises. There can be mechanical issues, rain or overnight a rider can suddenly find their groove with the circuit. Not everyone agrees that there are 21 riders who are as willing to do everything for victory.
Alberto Puig, director of the SAATC, after the testing in February felt that “For this season we have many riders debuting, and in just two days of testing we have seen great evolution, surely more will come during the season.”
| Bike No. | Name | Surname | Nationality |
| 2 | Kazuki | MASAKI | JPN |
| 3 | Can | ONCU | TUR |
| 4 | Gerry | SALIM | INA |
| 5 | Yuki | KUNII | JPN |
| 6 | Irfan | ARDIANSYAH | INA |
| 7 | Deniz | ONCU | TUR |
| 8 | Tom | EDWARDS | AUS |
| 9 | Ai | OGURA | JPN |
| 10 | Dwiki | SUPARTA | INA |
| 11 | Izam | IKMAL | MAL |
| 12 | Ryussei | YAMANAKA | JPN |
| 13* | Idham | KHAIRUDDIN | MAL |
| 14 | Bahattin | SOFUOGLU | TUR |
| 15 | Shogo | KAWASAKI | JPN |
| 17 | Ali | UTAMA | INA |
| 18 | Somkiat | CHANTRA | THA |
| 19 | Riku | SUGAWARA | JPN |
| 20* | Chun Kit | LAW | CHN |
| 21* | Woraphod | NIAMSAKHONSAKUL | THA |
| 23 | Andi | IZDIHAR | INA |
| *Wild cards |
The weekend Schedule is as follows (Local Time, GMT +7)
Friday, March 11: FP1 09:30-10:00 / FP2 16:00-16:30
Saturday, March 12: QP 10:00-10:30 / Race 1 12:00 (16 laps)
Sunday, March 13: Race 2 13:00 (16 laps)
The Circuit
The circuit has not changed since 2015, with a length of 4.554 km, 12 corners in total, seven rights and five lefts. Pole position lines up on the left side.
What happened in 2015…
Somkiat Chantra scored the best combined time (1’48.090) after the two practice sessions. Behind him the rookie, Kazuki Masaki, and Nakarin Atiratphuvapat, were the fastest in the first session.
The Qualifying session was held on a wet track as a result of overnight rainfall. After their first laps on wet tyres, riders switched to slicks a few minutes before the end of the session and Malaysian rider Azman took pole ahead of Atiratphuvapat and Sasaki, the three forming the front row.
Victory in the first race went to local rider Somkiat Chantra, ahead of Japan’s Ayumu Sasaki and Indonesian Gerry Salim. The race was decided on the last lap, with a group of nine riders fighting for victory.
The second race saw another local rider, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat, take victory. The key moment was when, with three laps remaining, Chantra fell and took down Norrodin. This opened a gap between the leader and the rest. But the equality that characterizes the cup shone through and a group of eight riders gathered, all fighting for victory. Two corners for the goal, Atiratphuvapat struck to win ahead of Sasaki and Masaki
Ayumi Sasaki was the leader after the races in Buriram with 40 points thank to two-second positions. Atiratphuvapat was second in the standings with Masaki, with 29 points, in third.
Honda NSF250R
Technical characteristics (Category: Moto3)
The NSF250R’s design is based on the RS125R 125cc model, which participated in the 125cc World Championship category, their pair sharing many characteristics. The chassis is also an adaptation of the same model, with appropriate variations made to suit the more bulkier and heavier engine. The approximate weight is 84 kilograms. The engine is a single cylinder four-stroke with a displacement of 249.3cc and four titanium valves. The arrangement of the cylinder is inverted when compared to what is usually employed in a single-cylinder motorcycle. Another unusual feature is the 15 degree backward tilt of the cylinder, done so to improve mass centralization.
Dimensions
Overall length 1,809 mm (71.2 in)
Overall width 560 mm (22.0 in)
Overall height 1,037 mm (40.8 in)
Wheelbase 1,219 mm (48.0 in)
Ground clearance 107 mm (4.2 in)
Seat height standard 729 mm (28.7 in)
Frame
Type Aluminium, twin tube
Front suspension Telescopic, inverted type
Rear suspension Swinger, Pro-link
Front tire size 90/580 R17
Rear tire size 120/600 R17
Front brake Single disc 296 mm, with 4-piston caliper
Rear brake Single disc 186 mm, with single piston caliper
Fuel capacity 11.0 liter (2.91 US gal, 2.42 Imp. gal)
Engine
Type Liquid cooled 4-stroke engine
Cylinder arrangement Single cylinder, inclined 15º from vertical
Bore and stroke 78.0 x 52.2 mm (3.07 x 2.06 in)
Displacement 249.3 cm3 (15.21 cu-in)
Compression ratio 12.3:1
Valve train Chain driven, DOHC
Lubrication system Semi-dry sump, forced pressure and wet sump
Oil pump type Trochoid
Fuel System
Throttle body type GQD1A
Throttle bore 50 mm (2.0 in)
Drive Train
Clutch operating system Cable operated
Clutch type Wet, multi-plate
Transmission 6 speeds constant mesh
Final reduction 2.333 (15/35T)
Gearshift pattern 1 – N – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 (1 up and 5 down)
Electrical
Fuel Delivery System PGM-FI
Ignition system Full Transistor
