Yaseen, Arunagiri named in Suzuki Asian Challenge for 2017 ARRC season

Among the 16 riders named, two Indians feature this season, following on the footsteps of the three participants, who represented the country last year.

The 2016 Asia Talent Cup rider Ahamed Kidwai Yaseen will race full-time in the one-make championship, after playing a supporting role to Jagan Kumar last year.

Kumar, who finished 10th overall after taking two podium finishes in 2016 despite missing the first two rounds, will not return to the series.

Joining the Chennai-born rider will be Prabhu Arunagiri, who will also make his SAC debut, having previously competed in the Asia Dream Cup category in the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

The Chennai rider competed for the Racr team in the Indian National Championship in the Pro Stock 165cc category last year, taking multiple podium finishes.

The entry list features riders from nine countries with six returning to the championship from the previous seasons, while 10 rookies are to join them in the category.

The riders will ride the 150cc Suzuki FU150 machinery prepped by Team Kagayama, headed by former Suzuki MotoGP and WSBK rider Yukio Kagayama.

Yaseen and Arunagiri join fellow countrymen Sarath Kaumar, who will race in the Supersport 600cc category and Rajiv Sethu, who will compete in the Asia Production 250cc class in 2017.