B-Quik Racing headed to Kaeng Krachan Circuit to undertake a four-car shakedown test ahead of the next round of Thailand Super Series 2018, which will come up at the end of this month.
Since our racecars returned to Thailand a couple of weeks ago following the opening round, which was held at Malaysia’s Sepang Circuit at the start of last month, our mechanics have been busy servicing the Porsche 997 GT3 Cup machines driven there by Alif and Ian, so we wanted to give them a few laps on track and ensure they’re all ready to go.
Alongside them in the paddock at Kaeng Krachan Circuit was our newly acquired Porsche 997 GT3-R which Henk J. Kiks will drive in Super Car GTM Plus in Buriram this month and this was an ideal opportunity for our Dutch team leader to enjoy his first few laps in the car and start to get used to it – while at the same time the crew could develop their understanding this new car as it’s the first time we will have run a GT3-specifciation car from Porsche.
Finally, Thomas Raldorf was driving our customer-entry Porsche 997 GT3 Cup; he drove a Porsche 991 GT3 Cup in Sepang as after competing in Super Car GTC last year (and winning the title) he has stepped up to Super Car GTM for 2018.
From Buriram onwards this highly experienced driver will be on-board the Porsche that Darryl O’Young powered to eight consecutive poles and eight consecutive victories in the Bangsaen Grand Prix between 2014 and 2017. With Thomas’s pace and experience we’re confident this car will be in good hands.
This would be Thomas’ first time in the car so getting acclimatised to it was his priority for the test.
So, all-in-all a pretty busy afternoon for the team and both drivers with plenty of work to get through at the 2.912-km Kaeng Krachan Circuit which nestles in a bowl in the hills in lush countryside just south of Petchaburi.
The test went well and dark clouds that threatened to unleash rain all day held off – literally the first drops arrived as the team was packing up to return to Bangkok.
Henk was pleased with his debut laps in the 997 GT3-R, although his seat time was limited by tyre availability, the crew were also pleased with the car and happy to finally have it on the track after it arrived in Thailand several weeks ago and in the meantime had been stripped down and overhauled.
Thomas also got decent lap time under his belt with his new car as well as lending a hand to shakedown the other two 997s.
The team returned to Bangkok last night evening pleased with how the day had worked out and we now start to look forward to the next round of Thailand Super Series in just under three weeks’ time.
