Against All Odds: How 4S1M Yamaha Overcame Mechanical Nightmares to Secure a Historic 1-2 Podium Sweep in Motegi, Japan
Defying severe crashes, shipping delays, and a hidden brake failure, the 4S1M EVO Yamaha Racing Team secured a historic 1-2 podium finish at the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at Mobility Resort Motegi. Filipino rider John Emerson Inguito overcame a complete bike frame replacement to win Saturday’s thrilling Race 1, while Indonesian teammate Rendi Odding charged from P10 to finish second. The dominant performance won the team the Best Team Award, catapulting them to second place in the overall standings.
– Diana Lyn A | Traffic Network PH
HISTORIC 1-2 PODIUM SWEEP FOR 4S1M EVO YAMAHA RACING IN MOTEGI, JAPAN BATTLE.
Filipino rider John Emerson Inguito fights back from a frame replacement, an intense crash in Friday practice, and a mystery brake failure to win Race 1; the team also takes the Best Team Award and climbs to 2nd overall.
OFFICIAL RELEASE: 4S1M RacingPhilippines | PUBLISHER: ADVAI
MOTEGI, TOCHIGI PREFECTURE, JAPAN — Pure determination, raw sweat, and an unyielding racing spirit defined a historic weekend for the 4S1M EVO Yamaha Racing Team at the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan. Overcoming an incredibly tight schedule, severe crashes, and a mysterious mechanical failure, the team roared back to claim its greatest achievement in years: an unbelievable 1st- and 2nd-place double-victory on Saturday that earned them the prestigious Best Team Award for Race 1.
The weekend was an uphill battle from the very start. Due to shipping schedules, the containers carrying all the team’s race bikes, tools, and equipment didn’t arrive at the track until Thursday at noon, leaving the crew with less than 24 hours to prepare everything. On top of that tight timeline, the mechanics faced a massive task: completely replacing the main frame on John Emerson “JE” Inguito’s bike, which had been severely damaged from a violent “highside” crash during Race 2 of the previous round in Thailand.
The pressure reached a breaking point on Friday. During Free Practice 1, JE suffered another brutal highside crash. Things went from bad to worse in Free Practice 2 when a ghost issue plagued the machine. Neither JE nor the mechanics could immediately determine what was wrong. Still, after a thorough inspection, they discovered a hidden brake failure. The crew replaced the entire brake system, completing yet another mechanical miracle just in time for Saturday morning’s crucial timed sessions. Defying the chaos, JE secured a front-row start in P3, while his new Indonesian teammate, Rendi Odding, locked in P10.
Saturday afternoon’s Race 1 was a heart-stopping thriller. From the moment the green lights flashed, JE threw himself into a wild, wheel-to-wheel battle, trading positions corner after corner with Asia’s absolute best riders. In a breathtaking final lap, JE pushed his bike to the absolute limit, crossing the finish line in 1st Place. This marked his second emotional career win in Japan, following his memorable 2023 victory in Sportsland Sugo.
The celebration doubled just seconds later. Rendi Odding put on a spectacular performance, charging from P10 on the grid and carving through the pack with incredible grit. Rendi fought his way to the very front to cross the line in 2nd Place, marking his first-ever podium finish since joining the team this season. Watching both the Philippine and Indonesian flags rise together for a 1-2 finish was a dream come true, earning 4S1M Racing the official Best Team Award for their dominant performance.
The drama didn’t stop there. In Sunday’s Race 2, Rendi proved his speed was no fluke. In a thrilling, high speed sprint to the finish line, he went handlebar-to-handlebar with Sauki—4S1M’s own former replacement rider from last year’s Malaysian round—and snatched 2nd Place by a hair, securing a spectacular double-podium weekend. Meanwhile, JE showed the heart of a champion, defending his position fiercely to finish in a proud 4th Place, missing another podium by an agonizing 0.01 seconds.
This incredible team effort completely shifts the leaderboard, catapulting 4S1M EVO Yamaha Racing Team into 2nd Place in the Overall Team Standings after 3 rounds. On the individual scoreboard, Rendi Odding climbs to 2nd Overall. At the same time, JE Inguito rises to 6th Overall—proudly standing as the Top Filipino Rider in the championship, just a few points ahead of fellow countryman April King Mascardo.
“Japan has always been kind to us, but this weekend tested our absolute limits,” the team shared. “To go from having no equipment on Thursday morning and a wrecked bike on Friday, to winning the Best Team Award and a historic double victory on Saturday, shows the true heart of this team. This belongs to our tireless crew, our sponsors, and the thousands of fans across Asia—especially our fellow Filipinos whose prayers gave us the strength to push through every turn.” – 4S1M Team Manager
With their eyes firmly on the prize, 4S1M EVO Yamaha Racing is looking to keep the momentum alive for the next battle this coming August 7-9, 2026, at the Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia.
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