2017.08.11

Round 7 Thailand event press conference in Bangkok gathered a huge crowd of media

A joint press conference about the holding of 2017 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Rd.7 "Chang SUPER GT RACE" (October 7th - 8th) took place in the afternoon of August 10th at Pullman Bangkok King Power in the Thai capital Bangkok.

Since its inaugural official series event in 2014, this year will be the fourth holding of SUPER GT's Thai event. Hosting circuit is Change International Circuit (CIC) located in the northeast part of Thailand in Buriram Province, which has been the venue since the first event in 2014.

 

 

The press conference was held with key stakeholders in participation, Newin Chidchob, the president of hosting circuit CIC, and Masaaki Bandoh, the chairman of SUPER GT organizer GTA, as well as Somporn Suebtawilkul, the president of RAAT (Royal Automobile Association of Thailand), and Surapol Utintu, the head of Public Relations of Chang International, the title sponsor of the circuit. Communication Director of the TCR International Series (*), Fabio Ravaioli, also joined the press conference since the holding of the series at CIC on September 2nd and 3rd was also announced at the venue.

*) an international series started in 2015 by using TCR cars, which are considered as "GT3 car of touring car race". Thailand has a domestic series competition by TCR cars, and it is gaining popularity as one of Thai's premier car race next to the Super Series of GT cars

 

The press conference opened with addresses by GTA Chairman Masaaki Bandoh and Newin Chidchob of CIC and then moved on to Q & A session with the media. Despite on a weekday, around 120 media members from 15 TV broadcasters of Thailand as well as 70 media, including newspapers, WEB, magazines, etc., gathered at the venue. The interest of the media towards the event must be quite high as many attendees were being interviewed by the media at different corners of the venue even after the press conference.

 

From right - GTA Chairman Bandoh, Surapol Utintu/Chang, Newin Chidchob/CIC, Kanoksakdi Bhinsaeng/BRIC (*participated only in photo session), Somporn Suebtawilkul/RAAT, Fabio Ravaioli/TCR.

 

 

In his opening address, CIC President Newin said, "TCR and SUPER GT are both an FIA international series, and we have been together with SUPER GT since it was held as the inauguration event of the circuit. Thai teams had been participating in the SUPER GT as wild card in past three years, but this year PANTHER TEAM is competing in the series fully, and I believe this will lead to the development of teams from Thailand. Since SUPER GT is the first race which CIC hosted, I want the fans from Thailand to root for the teams that participate in this series. SUPER GT is an Asian race, but there are many drivers who are famous globally and I think it is no different from any global races." Newin expressed how close of a relationship SUPER GT and CIC have established and continued,
"From this year we will be receiving support from the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT). The fact that SAT as well as the tourism authority are now involved as a government agency indicates that Thai's motorpsports is developing, and I believe that all the effort we put in until now were not a waste."

 

 

 

In the open discussion held during the dinner session with media afterward, GTA Chairman Bandoh, SAT Director Tanukiat, RAAT Somporn, TRD Thailand Suttipong Samitchart, and CIC Managing Director Tanaisiri Chanvitayarom shared their views on the agenda, "Future of Thai motorsports", and the media and other audience looked interested as they listened closely.

 

 

 

"Thailand is a producer of automobile, there are Japanese companies operating in the country, it is manufacturing cars and also has well-established aftermarket, so, by having Chang International Circuit built, it created more people who are interested in motorpsorts. I also believe that the circuit facilitated not only the promotion and development of Thailand's domestic motorsports but also the economy." GTA Chairman Bandoh shared his view during the dinner session.

"This year is the fourth year of SUPER GT event, and we are witnessing Buriram's development year after year. It's clear that having the circuit built here has brought more visitors from abroad and I can see that it is leading to revitalization of the local community. It would be our pleasure if we can contribute more to the development of the local community through SUPER GT event." Bandoh expressed his delighted feeling on how the holding of SUPER GT event is contributing to Thailand and Buriram.

 

CIC Managing Director Tanaisiri Chanvitayarom revealed that they are considering to take on a new challenge in holding SUPER GT in Thailand, "I am consulting with Bandoh on starting a new series. It may not happen soon, but we are working on a plan to successfully establishing a series in Thailand."

 

There is about two months until the Round 7 Thailand, but the presentation indicated the expectation is already growing in Thailand.

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