Taiyo Aksu Interview
16-year-old Taiyo Aksu has been racing at a Nationwide degree for the previous two seasons, ending third in each the ASBK Supersport 300 and Yamaha YZF R3 Cup classes right here in 2022.
Throughout his couple of years within the ASBK paddock Taiyo proved fashionable amongst his friends and at all times appeared to have a smile on his face and a cheerful disposition. It’s these qualities, alongside along with his velocity on monitor, that can little question stand him in good stead for his new problem.
This yr, Taiyo has signed with a workforce in Japan to race within the All Japan Highway Racing Championship, contesting the JP250 class as a part of the bLU cRU efforts by Yamaha to get on phrases with the dominant Honda efforts within the championship. This class permits rather more in depth modifications than permitted within the ASBK Supersport 300 class. JP250 machines are of an analogous spec to the Asian Highway Racing Championship’s AP250 class the place the bikes run greater throttle our bodies, head work, a free alternative of ECU, improved cooling and lighter aftermarket wheels.
We touched base with Taiyo this week to learn how he is occurring this thrilling new journey.
Trev: So how did the transfer to Japan come about?
Taiyo Aksu: “Final yr there was some talks about doing the Suzuka 4-Hour with a workforce over right here, and that workforce additionally runs within the All Japan Championship, and one of many scouts you possibly can say, they have been in Australia and got here out to observe me in Morgan Park within the 300 and thought I could be a superb match to do JP 250 class on the R3s. Yamaha was on the lookout for a few riders to return, to nurture in Japan and convey up from a junior degree, to a global spec of racing I suppose.”
Trev: Inform us about that class in Japan, it runs as a part of the Japan Highway Racing Championship, as a assist class, what number of entrants have they been having of late?
Taiyo Aksu: “So first spherical there was 39 entrants I feel, so it’s a reasonably busy area, however this yr competitors is harder than ever, even on the first spherical we have been beating lap document tempo by a couple of second. In order that was a shock.”
Trev: The place was Spherical One?
Taiyo Aksu: “At Motegi.”
Trev: Good circuit, and the place subsequent?
Taiyo Aksu: “Sugo, subsequent month on the twentieth [of May].”
Trev: I’m guessing if the workforce is on the lookout for riders abroad, it will be a reasonably good workforce, is {that a} good indication? How skilled are the groups over there in that championship?
Taiyo Aksu: “They’re high notch, this workforce is the primary satellite tv for pc workforce for Yamaha within the Superstock class, and this yr they’ve simply began within the JP250 class as a Yamaha supported workforce as nicely, it’s one other satellite tv for pc workforce, however I’d say it’s one of many high groups within the competitors, so I’m actually excited to be the place I’m.”
Trev: And you might be on a YZF-R3, is that proper?
Taiyo Aksu: “So, the vast majority of the bikes over right here, particularly in my class, are primarily Honda, which is a really aggressive bike over right here, as you’ll be able to see within the Asia Highway Racing championship as nicely.
“Yamaha have launched a bLU cRU program in Japan and have gotten six riders that they’re mentioning by these satellite tv for pc groups, so the bikes are offered by Yamaha.
“We’re all operating the identical ECUs and they’re taking all that knowledge and analysing that I suppose. And the rider that Yamaha consider is the quickest out of the six riders will get a chance to go additional on this program.
“So it’s a little bit of – we race on our personal towards the opposite Yamaha riders – however we’re additionally making an attempt to win within the JP250 championship.”
Trev: And the way have you ever been going to this point?
Taiyo Aksu: “First spherical was a bit troublesome, first two days the workforce and I have been getting the bike sorted, then qualifying didn’t go too unhealthy, we certified tenth, third out of the Yamahas.
“Then within the race, first I made my approach as much as fifth, misplaced a place to a Honda down the again straight after which into the primary nook one other Yamaha hit the again of my bike and despatched me right into a highside so, I tore AC joint in my proper shoulder, so I’m nonetheless recovering from that, however will probably be again on the bike subsequent week at Tsukuba.”
Trev: So that you’re residing and dealing in Japan this yr?
Taiyo Aksu: “So I really made the transfer, none of my household got here with me, I’m residing in a homestay, the remainder of my household is again in Australia on the Gold Coast. I’m working six days every week, as a result of I’m on a reasonably tight funds, to assist out as finest I can.”
Trev: What are you doing for work?
Taiyo Aksu: “I work at a second hand automobile dealership, detailing automobiles and getting all of them clear and prepared for the showroom ground.”
Trev: Do you’ve any household hyperlinks to Japan, or something like that?
Taiyo Aksu: “Yeah, I’m half Japanese, so my mum is Japanese, and pa is Turkish, however mum’s household is over right here. They don’t know that I race, most likely a good suggestion. It’s not they’re making an attempt to cover it from them, it’s extra we don’t wish to stress them out. They knew I raced after I was quite a bit youthful, after I first began they usually thought it was so harmful and saved asking me to cease. So we simply instructed them I ended, however I actually didn’t.”
Trev: *Laughs* That’s hilarious. We miss your smiling face across the ASBK paddock. All the perfect for the remainder of the season, we’ll contact base once more after the subsequent spherical or two maybe.
Taiyo Aksu: “Thanks Trevor.”
