Impressive Qualifying for UMA Racing-Yamaha Philippines

UMA Racing-Yamaha Philippines came out strong in the qualifying of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship’s Underbone 150 class. The series is having its opening round this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

Under the scorching sun at the Malaysian circuit, 34 underbone riders strived to have a good qualifying result. Filipino riders McKinley Kyle Paz and Masato Fernando delivered well for UMA Racing-Yamaha Philippines as they are part of the top 15 riders in the qualifying. 31-year old Fernando from Guiguinto, Bulacan was 4th after registering 2:33.629s best lap time while 17-year-old Paz from Taytay, Rizal placed 6th with a best time of 2:33.860s.

McKinley Kyle Paz and Masato Fernando of UMA Racing-Yamaha Philippines

ARRC Round 1 Underbone 150 class qualifying result

The two will participate in the Superpole tomorrow, March 9. Top 15 riders in the qualifying of the ARRC’s Underbone 150 class will lap the track one by one in the Superpole. Given only one lap each, final grid positions of the 15 riders will be determined according to their lap times in the Superpole. Race 1 will then be held in the afternoon.

Masato Fernando (17) and McKinley Kyle Paz (123) on their Yamaha Sniper 150 race bikes

“Wonder Boy” Paz has been doing great since the Preseason Test on March 5-7, ranking second immediately on the first day. UMA Racing-Yamaha Philippines worked hard on setting up Fernando’s race bike and finally in the qualifying, “The Chairman” was able to get a high result.

With Paz and Fernando in the ARRC are team mechanics Jay-R Cambaog, Jhonar Cruzem and K-U de Leon. Yamaha Motor Philippines’ Mr. Ryan Jude Camus, Mr. Jordan Cornista, Mr. Emerson Mendoza and Ms. Jennifer Perey are also in Malaysia to support the Philippine team. This year is the first full season participation of Yamaha Motor Philippines in the Underbone 150 class of the Asia Road Racing Championship.

UMA Racing is a top brand of performance parts in Malaysia. Yamaha Motor Philippines began partnership with UMA Racing in 2018 wherein Paz participated in the Underbone 150 races in Australia, India and Thailand. His highest race finish was second place in Race 2 during the Australian round in April 2018.