Marking our debut in Lombok, the team arrived at the Mandalika International Circuit with high expectations for Round 4 of the Asia Road Racing Championship 2026. Nestled on a stunning Indonesian island known for its world-class surfing and the majestic Mt. Rinjani, the circuit provided a breathtaking backdrop for a weekend of intense competition.

The atmosphere in the paddock was electric, bolstered by the return of Taiyo Saito, our points scorer from the season opener in Sepang. Fielding two talented Japanese riders, we approached the weekend with a positive outlook, despite the formidable challenge ahead. Wednesday and Thursday were dedicated to meticulous preparation; the technical crew rebuilt two engines, ensuring peak performance with Servo Hypersport F5 10W50 oil before the Friday sessions commenced.

Friday: Finding the Rhythm

Free practice sessions on Friday were highly encouraging. Both riders demonstrated consistent improvement, dialing in their lap times across three sessions. With Taiyo and Raiku clocking in the 1.47.xx and 1.48.xx ranges respectively, the data pointed toward a strong showing for Saturday's qualifying.

Saturday: A Test of Resilience

Saturday proved to be a rollercoaster, particularly for #41 Raiku Hasegawa. A minor lapse in concentration led to a crash early in Qualifying Practice (QP), but the team’s rapid response had him back on track with ten minutes to spare. However, luck was not on his side; while exiting the pit lane, he was unfortunately collected by another rider’s stray motorcycle from a Turn 1 incident. The significant damage prevented Raiku from setting a hot lap, leaving him at the back of the 31-rider grid.

Meanwhile, Taiyo Saito was on a mission to break into the 1.46s. He ultimately secured a 1.47.885, a respectable time that unfortunately translated to 24th on the grid due to the incredibly tight margins at the high-speed circuit. Despite being just 2.5 seconds off pole, the depth of the field meant a tough climb ahead for both riders.

Race 1: High Speeds and Hard Luck

Race 1 began with further frustration for Raiku, whose day ended prematurely with a clutch failure at the start line. Taiyo, however, launched into a fierce battle. He looked set to join the podium group until a mid-race encounter with another rider on Lap 3 caused a split in the field. Stuck in the second group, Taiyo pushed his machine to the limit, recording a personal best lap of 1:47.677 and hitting a top speed of 181.80 km/h, eventually crossing the line in 18th position.

Sunday: The Final Charge

Sunday dawned with the vibrant energy typical of Indonesian racing culture. The pit walks were a highlight, allowing us to interact with passionate international fans and showcase our partnership with Servo Hypersport. Between the fan engagements, the team worked late into the night to restore Raiku’s bike and spirits.

Race 2 took place under strong winds but ideal temperatures. Taiyo, determined to score points, overcame a difficult start to slice through the field. Moving from 23rd up to 13th scoring 3 points, he matched the pace of the front runners with a blistering 1:47.619. This performance underscored the competitiveness of our Servo Hypersport-backed machinery. Raiku, admittedly low on "Vitamin C" (Confidence) following his string of incidents, focused on finishing his mission. He successfully navigated the race to finish 21st, clocking a 1:50.081.

Reflections and Next Steps

It was another "mixed bag" weekend, yet one full of valuable data. Taiyo’s ability to consistently challenge the top 15 has set a high benchmark for the team. For Raiku, Mandalika was a weekend for retrospection; he now looks to rebuild his confidence for his first outing at the Sepang International Circuit.

We leave Indonesia with our heads held high as we prepare for the penultimate round in Malaysia on September 4-6, 2026. Terima Kasih Indonesia, Kami Sedang Datang Malaysia!

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