Yamaha PH Racing Team to enter ARRC Rd 5 with ‘growing momentum’

MANILA: The Yamaha Philippines Racing Team will take on the 2026 Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) Round 5 with growing momentum. 

Of note, the Philippine racing outfit of the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer has enjoyed some improved results in the series’ previous round at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia.  

The crew will carry that favorable outcome as they head back to the the Petronas Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia for as ARRC’s 2026 season nears its end. 

“With the championship entering its penultimate round, McKinley Kyle Paz, April King Mascardo, and Timothy Rojas return to the international stage with different challenges ahead but a shared determination to deliver stronger performances against Asia’s best,” Yamaha Motor Philippines (YMPH) wrote in a press release. 

“For Paz, Malaysia presents an opportunity to continue the strongest stretch of his season. For Mascardo and Rojas, Sepang offers the chance to respond after a challenging weekend in Indonesia and continue pushing forward in their respective international campaigns,” it added. 

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SS600 category

Riding under the banner of Hong Leong Yamaha Racing Team, Paz continues his bid for victory in the highly competitive Supersport 600 (SS600) category. 

In Indonesia, Paz charged to the fourth spot in Race 1 before producing an even stronger performance in Race 2, battling at the front and crossing the line in second. The finish marked his highest of the 2026 season and his second podium following his third in Thailand. 

YMPH noted that Paz’s recent performances represent a significant progression from the consistency he displayed at Mobility Resort Motegi, where he finished ninth and seventh. 

“Malaysia also carries significance in Paz’s international racing journey. Returning to Sepang with greater experience and growing momentum, he will once again face a demanding SS600 field with one clear objective: continue closing the distance to the top,” the company wrote. 

UB150 category  

Competing in the Underbone 150 class are Mascardo and Rojas, under the Yamaha Racetech Philippines Racing Team. 

Mascardo entered Indonesia after a consistent showing in Japan, but Mandalika proved challenging as he finished 12th in both races. Rojas similarly faced a difficult weekend, finishing 19th in Race 1 and 21st in Race 2. 

Throughout the season, Mascardo has demonstrated his ability to compete within the intensely contested UB150 field, while Rojas has continued to gain valuable international experience in his first ARRC campaign. 

“With another opportunity ahead, both riders remain focused on applying the lessons gained through the first four rounds and delivering a stronger response in Malaysia,” YMPH commented.   

Pre-finals push 

Only two rounds remain in the 2026 ARRC season, which makes every race and position increasingly important. 

As the Yamaha Philippines Racing Team returns to the Petronas Sepang International Circuit, Paz looks to carry his strongest momentum yet into the next round, while Mascardo and Rojas prepare to fight back in UB150. 

With the championship nearing its conclusion, the pursuit continues as Yamaha Philippines takes on another international challenge and remains Relentless in Defying Limits. 

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