ARRC 2026: The Filipino Charge Begins in Malaysia

ARRC 2026: The Filipino Charge Begins in Malaysia

The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) is back for 2026, and the stakes have never been higher for the Philippine contingent. This season kicks off at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. A perfect opportunity for Filipino fans to actually witness world-class racing in the flesh.

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to book that flight, this is it.

The 2026 ARRC Calendar

Who to Watch: The Filipino Contenders

• McKinley Kyle Paz (SS600): "The Wonderboy" returns to the Supersport 600 class aboard his Yamaha YZF-R6. Paz finished the 2025 season 8th overall, proving he has the pace to run with the elite. After securing multiple podiums last year, 2026 is about turning that consistency into a title hunt.
• John Emerson Inguito (UB150): Representing 4S1M Racing Team, Inguito remains a massive threat in the Underbone class. His standout 2nd-place finish in the 2025 finale at Buriram proved that when the chaos of UB150 settles, he’s usually at the front.
• Yamaha Racing Philippines (UB150): The national team continues its mission to "Change the Race." Expect to see their roster battling in the slipstream wars that define this category.

Watch this space: We are anticipating for more Filipino riders across the TVS Asia, UB150 and AP250 categories as the final entry lists are confirmed.

The 2025 ARRC season was a year of "firsts" and razor-thin margins. Here are the reigning champions across all categories to help set the stage for your 2026 coverage:

2025 ARRC Champions

2025 Season Highlights & 2026 storylines

• The Ducati Dominance: Hafizh Syahrin’s title was historic—it was the first for the lone Ducati Panigale V4R in the field. He secured the championship by just 3 points over Nakarin Atiratphuvapat in a dramatic finale.
• The SS600 Deadlock: Kasma Daniel and Anupab Sarmoon actually finished the season tied at 167 points. Kasma was awarded the title based on a countback of his superior race results throughout the year.
• Filipino Pride in UB150: While Husni Fuadzy took the title, John Emerson Inguito made a massive statement in the final round at Buriram, taking a hard-fought 2nd place finish, proving he is a top-tier contender for 2026.
• Abe’s Strong Finish: In the ASB1000 class, Keito Abe (SDG HARC-PRO Honda Philippines) finished the season 3rd overall, cementing himself as a consistent podium threat for the upcoming season.

What to Watch for in 2026

• The Return of "The Wonderboy": With McKinley Kyle Paz more settled on the R6, the goal is to break into that top-five season ranking.
• Manufacturer Wars: Can Honda reclaim the ASB1000 crown from Ducati, or will the Panigale’s V4 engine continue to dictate the pace?
• The UB150 Chaos: With the Filipino contingent growing, the Underbone class remains the most unpredictable category in the championship.

Stop watching the live stream on your phone. Book the flight tickets, get to Sepang in April, and support our local heroes, sakto for summer break!