NAMSSA-Philippines Dominates 2024 FIM ACCR Finale; MFJ-Japan Takes Overall Title

Filipino riders Dustin Esguerra and Kerwin Chang raced impeccably at the final round of the 2024 FIM Asia Cup or Circuit Racing (ACCR). Showing underbone riding mastery, the two racers did not disappoint the home crowd at the Tarlac Circuit Hill.

The FIM ACCR, formerly known as ACRR (Asia Cup of Road Racing), features racers from different Asian countries in one make races. The 2024 season had three rounds held in Thailand, Chinese-Taipei and The Philippines.

L-R: Mr. Jong Mejorada of Motul Philippine Distributor Infiniteserv International, Mr. Rommel Panganiban of NAMSSA, Mr. Peter Yung of Motul Philippine Distributor Infiniterserv International, Mr. Al Camba of InsideRACING, FIM Asia and NAMSSA President Mr. Stephan “Macky” Carapiet, Mr. John Hanzel Leyva of Yamaha Motor Philippines, Mr. Duds Lumague of USRA, Mr. Arthur Valdez of FIM Asia and NAMSSA and General Andy Gauran, Retired, of NAMSSA

The 2024 finale was held during the 17th Alpinestars InsideRACING Grand Prix from November 22-24. Organized by InsideRACING and sanctioned by FIM Asia, the FIM ACCR Philippine round was presented by Motul and Official Tire was FDR. Official Manufacturer Partner was Yamaha Motor Philippines and bikes provided were Yamaha Sniper 155 motorcycles. The race event was supported by the Province of Tarlac headed by Governor Susan Yap. It was the third time for the country to host an FIM ACCR event.

Participating countries and FIM federations in the third round hosted by the Philippines (NAMSSA) were India (FMSCI), China (CAMF), Japan (MFJ), Chinese-Taipei (CTMS), Thailand (FMSCT), Sri Lanka (FMSSL) and Singapore (MSS).

#69 Dustin Esguerra – Team NAMSSA (Philippines)

#99 Kerwin Chang – Team NAMSSA (Philippines)

#8 Mizuki Kataguchi – MFJ (Japan)

#7 Mathanakumar Sargunanathan – FMSCI (India)

#9 Junhao Zhan – CAMF (China)

Dustin Esguerra and Kerwin Chang of Team NAMSSA Philippines were on their A-game right from the qualifying wherein they secured P1 and P2. Third at the starting grid was Arsyad Rusydi Bin Shaharum from Singapore followed by Japan’s Mizuki Kataguchi and China’s Junhao Zhan. India’s Mathanakumar Sargunanathan was P6 in qualifying while Thailand’s Guntanat Attaparakorn was P7 and Chinese-Taipei’s Wei Chang and Chukai Kuo were P8 and P9, respectively. Hesali Nehansa Peiris Patanbandige of Sri Lanka, the lone female racer in the FIM ACCR Philippine Round, was P10 at the starting grid.

#2 Wei Chang – CTMS (Chinese-Taipei)

#3 Chukai Kuo – CTMS (Chinese-Taipei)

#4 Guntanat Attaparakorn – FMSCT (Thailand)

#6 Hesali Nehansa Peiris Patanbandige – FMSSL (Sri Lanka)

#11 Arsyad Rusydi Bin Shaharum – MSS (Singapore)

Race 1 saw a stellar performance from Filipinos with Kerwin Chang taking the checkered flag and Dustin Esguerra securing P2. Esguerra also registered the 1:12.770s best lap time of the 10-lap race. India’s Mathanakumar Sargunanathan placed third and Japan’s Mizuki Kataguchi crossed the finish line in P4. China’s Junhao Zhan placed fifth followed by Chinese-Taipei’s Wei Chang and Thailand’s Guntanat Attaparakorn. Chukai Kuo of Chinese-Taipei and Sri Lanka’s Hesali Nehansa Peiris Patanbandige finished in P8 and P9. Not able to finish the race was Singapore’s Arsyad Rusydi Bin Shaharum.

2024 FIM ACCR Philippine Round Race 1 winners

It was Esguerra’s time to shine in Race 2 and he made sure to win his last ACCR race. He has been representing the country since 2022. The Philippines was ACCR overall champion in 2022 and 2023. Aside from winning, Esguerra was the fastest again as he submitted the 1:12.682s best lap time in Race 2. Teammate Kerwin Chang followed closely and crossed the finish line in second place. Mizuki Kataguchi secured P3 and P4 was taken by Mathanakumar Sargunanathan. Junhao Zhan placed fifth again followed by Wei Chang, Guntanat Attaparakorn, Chukai Kuo and Hesali Nehansa Peiris Patanbandige. Arsyad Rusydi Bin Shaharum did not finish again in Race 2.

2024 FIM ACCR Philippine Round Race 2 winners

With all the points of the three rounds combined, MFJ-Japan was hailed as the 2024 FIM ACCR overall champion. The Philippines placed second overall and India was third overall. Chinese-Taipei and Thailand placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

2024 FIM ACCR Overall winners

“Congratulations to all the winners, riders, FIM FMNs and promoters for their remarkable performances throughout the season. A special thank you to the FIM Asia Federation for their outstanding work in making this series a resounding success. See you all next year for another exhilarating season of the FIM Asia Cup of Circuit Racing!” – FIM Asia

2024 FIM ACCR Philippine Round  Results

photos by Ramil Basical, Dennis Barrion and Yhel Babon