PETRONAS SPRINTA Yamaha Thailand Team
Season 2009
PETRONAS FIM Asia Road Racing Championship
Rider Profile: Decha Kraisart

• PETRONAS SPRINTA Yamaha Thailand – SuperSports 600cc Category, PETRONAS FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (#24)

The 2007 FIM ARRC was not just the year that the Asian motorsports fraternity was introduced to the first of two new PETRONAS teams. It was also the year the grid met PETRONAS SPRINTA Yamaha Thailand team’s Decha Kraisart.

Cool, calm and collected, Decha’s unassuming and quiet persona belied the indomitable spirit and assertive riding style the Thai ace displays on track. His podium finish in third place on his debut at the Sentul International Circuit in June that year was a good indication to his fellow competitors and spectators alike what to expect.

Right on cue, the Thai rider delivered in fine fashion bagging his maiden win in the championship at the very next round at the same track. Adding three more race-wins and four podium finishes to his name, Decha did not just establish his place amongst Asia’s best rider; he also etched his name onto the silverware he collected for taking the coveted FIM ARRC overall champion’s title in his debut season.

Technically a newcomer to the championship, Decha is no stranger to the racing scene having dominated the Thai local championships as well as the exposure of racing in the GP125 class in the ARRC in the late 1990s. His re-introduction to the ARRC was naturally expected.

To further hone in on his resolute riding style, the team took the bold decision to take Decha an extra step further. In preparation for the 2008 season, the team headed north to the land of the rising sun, entering Decha as a spot entry in the renowned All Japan Road Racing Championship. By the time the ARRC season commenced, Decha was more than ready to defend his title. However, things did not go as scripted as a serious crash during qualifying at the Sentul curtain raiser round led to injuries that would take months to heal. Though he returned to mount his No.24 Yamaha R6 bike for Round 4 at Malaysia’s Johor circuit, Decha had already written the season off as he instead focused his attention to 2009. 

Factbox: DECHA KRAISART

Related:
- PETRONAS SPRINTA Yamaha Thailand Team
- PETRONAS FIM Asia Road Racing Championship
- Rider Profile: Chalermpol Polamai

For more information, news, race results and updates on the PETRONAS FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, visit the official website at www.arrc.com.my