World Touring Car comes to Thailand

BANGKOK  Sports Association of Thailand and the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand will host World Touring Car in Thailand (WTCC), the ultimate racing tournament, for the first time in Thailand.
Details were announced at a Ministry of Tourism and Sports press conference last Friday. The production saloon car races should attract a bumper crowd of local motor sports enthusiasts.
World Touring Car in Thailand (FIA WTCC 2015) will take place 31 October to 1 November, at Chang International Circuit, Buri Ram, northeast Thailand.
WTCC is an international competition managed by Eurosport Events and certified by FIA.
inside no 5This year, Thailand was selected as the 11th circuit in a 12-circuit competition, worldwide.
This is the first time that Thailand has played host to a global motor race championship.
A total of 19 cars will compete including top brands Citroen, Honda, Lada, and Chevrolet.
Racers include nine-time WRC champion Sébastien Loeb from France and Trin Sritrai, a renowned Thai racer who won the IMSP Touring Car Series in Asia twice. He will be driving a Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1, competing on behalf of Campos Racing team. Additionally, there will be a special support race by Toyota Motorsport.
Sports Association of Thailand governor, Sakol Wannapong commented: “Sports Association of Thailand sees the importance of this competition. The aim is for Thailand to become a leader of sports in ASEAN. It is a great opportunity for Thailand to host an international event like WTCC for the first time. This will prove that Thailand is ready to host international competitions.”
inside no 5.1The modern, 12-corner Chang International Circuit is one of five new venues on the WTCC calendar for 2015. It is also the first time that the WTCC has ever visited Thailand.
Buri Ram is located 410 kilometres northeast of the capital Bangkok.
The race track itself is a 4.554 km course and its name comes from a sponsorship agreement with the Thai brewery.
It was built to FIA and FIM standards in the hope of one day hosting Formula One and MotoGP racing.
Construction of the £38 million Chang circuit began in March 2013. Local politician and former cabinet minister, Newin Chidchob, who also has shares in the local football club, originally came up with the idea of bringing motor sports to Buriram.
Minister of Tourism and Sports, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, who attended the press conference added: “It is time for Thailand to synergise tourism and sports promotions in order to generate more income. We must build new destinations in Thailand, and create confidence that Thailand is capable of hosting mega events.”
Commenting on tourism performance, this year, she said Thailand would continue to do well until the end of 2015. “Forward bookings and advance (airline) ticket reservations…have increased by 43% in July, 30% in August, and 40% in September compared to the same period last year.”
Race tickets can be purchased at Thai Ticket Major. A one-day pass costs THB1,000 and two-day pass THB1,500. There is a 20% discount bulk purchases of 10 tickets or more.

sourced:ttrweekly.com