Press conference on the upcoming 2016 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Rd.7 “BURIRAM SUPER GT RACE (October 8 - 9)” was held in the afternoon on September 6 at Central World, a large shopping mall in the capital of Thailand, Bangkok.

After its inaugural event in 2014, SUPER GT series’ overseas round is making its return to Thailand for a third year. The event was held in June last year, but this year it will be held as Round 7 in the last phase of the season in October, same month as its first year. Hosting circuit is Change International Circuit, which is now a familiar circuit to many SUPER GT fans, located in the northeast part of Thailand in Buriram Province. Overview of this year’s Thai event was formally announced on the day.

GTA Chairman Masaaki Bandoh and Newin Chidchob as well as Tanaisiri Chanvitayarom, President and Managing Director of Chang International Circuit (CIC), respectively, appeared on the stage as the event organizer to address the floor and to give overview of the event.

In addition, guests from the local entities of Toyota and Honda, which will host support races, as well as the sponsors of the circuit, such as PTT, a local oil brand that organizes drift show events, etc. were also invited and introduced on the stage in lively atmosphere.

From left, CIC MD Tanaisiri, CIC President Newin, and GTA Chairman Bandoh

“This year will be the third year of our SUPER GT event and, through the SUPER GT events held in past two years, we are much better at hosting racing events appropriately. I am also confident that, not only in the race operation, but we have been successful in contributing to the development of motorsports in Thailand. Our goal is to have a Thai driver in the top five driver of Asia in future. In some category we may have already achieved our goal, but I think it’s still difficult in SUPER GT.” Newin commented in his opening address. “Also, teams from Thailand that participate in SUPER GT as wildcard as well as the support races are able to learn many things from SUPER GT as example. This is not a success of just a circuit, but it is a success of the motorsports of Thailand as a whole, and that will lead to vitalization of the sports.”

Chairman Bandoh gave his impression on CIC, “There are many double-apex corners, and this is a challenging circuit to the drivers. Many SUPER GT drivers give high mark to the circuit. In addition, the track is flat and that allows to see almost all turns from the stands, so the spectators can see the technique of drivers directly. Drivers are motivated more than usual because of that.” Bandoh revealed that the circuit is highly recognized by the drivers.

Bandoh continued to give his opinion on the third year of event and the future outlook, “Third year of event was not possible without cooperation from CIC’s Newin Chidchob as well as people of Thailand. I would like to express my appreciation from bottom of my heart and highest respect for their hard work including their great contribution to the development of motorsports in not only Thailand but also Asia. BRIC and GTA have established a sound relationship after completing the two events in the past in success, and both parties have already signed a contract for holding an event next year. For future, we are looking forward to create a racing series in Thailand based on the SUPER GT regulations and establish a system so that top teams from that series can participate in the series in Japan.” Bandoh explained about next year’s Thai event (planned to be held on October 7 and 8) and a plan for creating a racing series in Thailand.

“Vattana Motorsports and TOYOTA Thailand team will be participating as wildcard to the Thai event this year,” revealed Tanaisiri and expressed his expectation on the two teams. “CIC is one of the newest circuits in the world, and I think the world is watching us to see whether we can host races appropriately. In such situation, we started out by hosting SUPER GT as our first race, so we are putting our effort to raise our recognition to many more people.” He expressed his view and continued on to encourage show-ups, “There will be many activities like pit-walk, Circuit Safari. There also going to be what everybody is waiting for, stage events by the race queens from Japan. You can’t miss it.”

It is only a few weeks away now and the expectation is high on the Round 7 Thailand event, but the festive will kick start before from the promotional event scheduled to be held on October 1 and 2 at Central World.