The final pieces of the jigsaw for the 10th Bangsaen Grand Prix are rapidly falling into place and one of the biggest – and most visually striking – pieces is the brand new purpose built permanent Race Administration Building that has just been completed and is currently being fitted out. The facility will house all aspects of race organisation under one roof and includes a state-of-the-art Race Control Room.
Meanwhile, ‘Super 2000’ has earned its place on the Thailand Super Series (TSS) programme as arguably the closest fought championship, without fail it guarantees door action in true touring car style as the top Thai drivers pull no punches in their quest for victory. It’s always been reserved for 2-litre C-segment cars but in the new era of downsizing and extracting ever greater efficiencies the cars emerging from the showrooms no longer fit that mould so the category is being rejuvenated and reborn for 2017 – with a new name that revives one of the most famous national series brand identities, ‘Thailand Touring Car Championship’.
We are pleased to take part in the official celebrations of the 30th anniversary of Bira International Circuit, which will take place this coming Saturday, 4 February. The event was originally planned for last October but was rescheduled due to the national period of mourning.
Last year TCR Thailand really rocked the boat when it joined the TSS programme, now we are ready to preview a new series set to be added to the roster – “TA2” – in Bangsaen. This is an exciting new ‘one make’ racing formula that’s busy establishing itself around the globe and is now getting set to burst into life in Thailand. In short it’s a pukka U.S.-built racing car with a ‘spec’ spaceframe chassis that packs in a powerful 6.2-litre V8 engine – and the fans only have a few weeks to wait to see it stretch its legs.
Finally, and back to Bangsaen. While the ‘Street Circuit’ might look broadly similar along its 3.5 km length to the casual observer the big two-year push to attain FIA Grade 3 homologation has seen virtually every aspect of the safety barriers lining the two sides of the track renewed, changed, upgraded or evolved right down to the very tiniest details. Most recently a lot of work has been put into reconfiguring and refining overlap access to the track – no detail is escaping attention.
New Race Administration Complex raises Bangsaen’s game
The final pieces of the jigsaw for the 10th Bangsaen Grand Prix are rapidly falling into place and one of the biggest pieces – and most visually striking – is the brand new, purpose built, permanent Race Administration Building, that has just been completed and is currently being fitted out.
This completes one of the key strategic components of the Bangsaen Street Circuit and prepares the Bangsaen GP superbly for its second decade, which will see the arrival of a FIA Grade 3 License, that will allow major international series to join from the 11th edition this coming July.
Investing in a state-of-the-art Race Administration complex demonstrates the organisers’ long term commitment to the Bangsaen GP event and puts it, in terms of permanent management infrastructure, ahead of many other street racing events around the world.
The 360 sq. m. building, located in the new permanent support paddock zone, which adjoins the pit lane, includes a Race Control Room, Stewards Room, Meeting Room, Race Directors Office and Secretaries of the Meeting Office, as well as a Canteen and a Data Center to support the Race Control Room operation. It means that all the functions of the administrative organisation of the Bangsaen GP are brought together in one place in an optimal and cohesive manner.
The highlight is the spacious new 144 sq. m. Race Control Room which features a wall of new LED monitors, linked to CCTV cameras that cover the whole track and pit lane. The tiered seating allows clear views of the CCTV feed from work stations that accommodate upwards of 24 staff. An adjoining Data Center supports all of the Race Control IT infrastructure requirements.
One of the biggest issues that the new administration complex resolves is location. Since the first edition of the Bangsaen GP Race Control and its associated functions have been located in the conference suite at the Bangsaen Villa Hotel, which is remote and difficult to access from the paddock. This is a point TSS Vice President Preeda Tantemsapya was very keen to emphasis was core to the planning and development new building and its strategic location.
“We really needed a properly configured Race Control and race management facility, as the previous location was a big hassle for everyone due to the inaccessibility of the Bangsaen Villa,” he notes. “For example if you want to lodge a protest there is a 30-minute time constraint in the rules and it has always been difficult to reach Race Control in that timeframe. Also in many instances we couldn’t release official results as we believed there might be a protest placed and we would have to wait in case the team representative arrived. The new location will cut away all those restraints and position Race Control with the best possible access.”
Preeda also notes that as well as the new Race Control Room there have also been improvements made to the operating infrastructure. “We have upgraded the CCTV cameras so all of them can zoom in so we can better detect and have more evidence for the stewards to examine if required,” he says. “The timing system, which is supported by ‘My Laps’, is also being upgraded.”
He’s very pleased with the new world-class complex, which has been designed and executed in house by the Racing Spirit Track Development team under the leadership of Technical Manager Pairuch Ngernmeesri. “This is a proper Race Control that has been designed to match the high standard found at a traditional permanent circuit,” Preeda says. “I think it’s a real statement of intent that we have developed this and shows our long term commitment to ensure the Bangsaen GP reaches a world-class standard in every single area.” He also adds that the Medical Center will be relocated this year to a new position readily accessible from pit lane and close to the Race Administration Building to further improve efficiencies and accessibility.
Downsizing for a new future
Super 2000 has earned its place in the affections of Thai motorsport fans as arguably the closest fought championship on the calendar, without fail it guarantees door action in true touring car style as the top Thai drivers pull no punches in the quest for victory.
It’s had a strong run but the winds of change are sweeping through motorsport both globally and here in Thailand and this month’s season closing double header in Bangsaen will be the final two races to be held under the Super 2000 name.
The category is reserved for cars of 2.0 litre engine capacity and here is exactly where sweeping change is occurring – in the showrooms. Downsizing and extracting ever greater efficiencies from power units are the mantras for OEMs in the modern automotive world and hence 2.0 liter engines are simply no longer in fashion. They’re a rapidly dying breed. Honda’s Civic has long been the backbone of the Super 2000 grid but this C-segment sedan has changed its engine portfolio beyond recognition.
Meanwhile Racing Spirit is reshaping motorsport here and aims to be always one step ahead of the game – so it’s taken a very long, hard look at the future of touring car racing.
“As a new generation of road cars emerges they no longer feature normally aspirated engines,” explains TSS Vice President Preeda Tantemsapya. “They are turbo cars as for example you can see that the new Honda Civic is 1.5 turbocharged so we will incorporate the new generation of cars to be able to race.”
Preeda says that they will base the new category around Balance of Performance (BoP), ultilising Racing Spirit’s depth of expertise in evening out performance and dynamic characteristics with BoP now underpinning both Super Car categories as well as Super Compact and that means the existing 2.0-litre cars will be able to continue to race subject to revisions.
‘We will target that the cars will produce sufficient horsepower, probably it will be around about 240 hp, and that way the K-series engine series that runs in Super 2000 at the moment can be tuned down and last longer as well as being more cost effective,” he explains. “It will also distinguish the cost between Super 2000 and moving up to TCR Thailand much more clearly.”
While the focus will be on a new ‘B’ class platform underpinned by a carefully administered BoP regime, the existing top class will still be given freedom to race. “Super 2000 Open will still be there, the A class, like the cars some teams are now using,” says Preeda. “We won’t put restrictions on that class but the cost is quite high and therefore we will concentrate on the B class.”
The new B class will be a win-win all round he reckons. “Restricting the horsepower will make the engine enjoy less wear and tear and directly reduce costs in that category,” says Preeda. “You can enter the new 1.5 litre turbocharged Civic with a restrictor to put out around 240 horsepower or you can also turbocharge the Toyota Altis 1.6 to run in the same category with restrictor and a similar BoP.”
While BoP has formed the backbone of leveling out the fastest and most power cars in Thailand – Super Car GTM – for some time it was also rolled out into Super Compact last year with instant success. That’s given Racing Spirit the confidence to apply it to the successor to Super 2000.
“We will be using a BoP system to be similar to what we introduced last year in Super Compact where there are many types of engine,” says Preeda. “You can see the Mazda2 is using a turbodiesel engine and it can run effectively in the category whereas previously it wasn’t competitive in Super Production. Therefore we will try will try to incorporate both the old and new technologies and balance them out as much as possible with the help of the new race technology of our BoP system and now I think now the teams are getting used to our new system and are comfortable with it. I think they find it’s quite equal and fair to everyone.”
BoP will also free cars up to change the PU so long it remains drawn from the matching OEM’s range. “We know there are a lot of Super 2000 cars lying around so if you decide to put the new engine, for example the 1.5 turbo, into the Civic FD if you can, or even the DC5. That way these cars can come out and start running again or by retaining the existing engine and reducing horsepower. 2.0-lire engine can continue to be used but with restrictions, these are yet to receive the final clarification but most likely we will reduce the fuel flow and adjust the air restrictor.”
Super Compact has proved to be an instant hit gives a great boost to planning for the revised Super 2000 category – which it provides a feeder towards. “I think you can see the number of cars that entered in Super Compact last year shows that our focus on BoP really works and there will be more coming during this year. I think by creating fair play for all teams you can see the podiums are changing as we increase the variety of drivers who can win.”
As Super 2000 rapidly moves away from its bedrock of ‘2000cc’ engines and towards lower capacity forced induction PUs Racing Spirit is pleased to announce that the reborn category will revive one of the most famous title names in Thai racing and will become known for the 2017 season as the ‘Thailand Touring Car Championship’.
TSS to join Bira Circuit 30th Anniversary Celebrations
Thailand Super Series is pleased to take part in the official celebrations of the 30th anniversary of Bira International Circuit, which will take place this coming Saturday, 4 February. The event was originally planned for last October but was rescheduled due to the national period of mourning.
We will present a trio of racing machines that provide a snapshot of the series, a dazzling GT3 class Porsche 997 GT3-R which be seen in action as the Bangsaen Grand Prix next month, a new SEAT Léon TCR, which is competing in the inaugural season of TCR Thailand, and one of the Honda Jazz racecars that make up the fleet of capable ‘learner level’ machines used by the TSS Racing Academy (TRA).
We have visited Bira International Circuit five times now, twice in 2013 and once each in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and every time the legendary racetrack has served up a weekend of unrelenting excitement and action packed racing. Returning annually to the ‘home’ of Thai motorsport has always been considered important for the biggest domestic motorsport series and excluding our ‘jewel in the crown event’, the Bangsaen Grand Prix, we have always welcomed our largest crowds of the year at the Bira Circuit round.
Bira Circuit has an unshakeable place at the heart of the national sport and is simply known to everyone as the historic ‘home of Thai motorsport’. When it was founded thirty years ago it was Thailand’s first permanent circuit and brought the sport, which had thus far been mainly played out on temporary airfield circuits, into a new age as well as ushering in rounds of prestigious international championships.
Although relatively small and cramped by modern day standards it still holds its place as the spiritual home of the sport and many legends have been born and nurtured on its 2.4 kilometre length, which features 12 turns. TSS has been delighted to visit here for the past four seasons and we have seen some truly memorable races play out.
“It’s the founding track for all Thai racers, it’s the track we all learnt to race on and grew up on,” says TSS Vice President Preeda Tantemsapya. “It’s been at the centre of motorsport through the highs and the lows and to be able to still go back after thirty years and continue to race there is a real privilege. Bira has created all our great drivers that went on to race internationally and we all think of it as our starting point. Whether drivers are racing round the world or retired now Bira provides so many memories of their career.
“Although it’s older now it still provides a challenge and a lot of excitement at an affordable price. I’m very pleased Bira was able to retain its place on the calendar into the TSS era and we have enjoyed five excellent events there.”
“So we’re very pleased to be part of the 30th Anniversary celebrations and to be able to showcase our series, it’s an especially relevant and poignant time as we visited Bira Circuit for our last round and it was a weekend that went very well, the action was exciting and we got a big turnout from the fans.”
TA2 set to preview its pump in Bangsaen
“TA2” (which stands for “Trans-Am 2”) is an exciting new ‘one make’ racing formula that’s busy establishing itself around the globe and is now getting set to burst into life in Thailand. In short it’s a pukka U.S.-built racing car with a ‘spec’ spaceframe chassis that packs in a powerful 6.2-litre V8 engine.
Thai fans won’t have long to wait to see what all the fuss is about too as the first car coming here has just arrived, perfect timing for it to be put through its paces during the Bangsaen Grand Prix. The sound of a GM V8 race engine reverberating full throttle around the tight and twisty streets of Bangsaen should be enough to startle even the most race hardened of seagulls into taking flight.
TA2 brings a whole new dimension to Asian motorsport, and not just for the pumped up visuals of the racecars. The programme’s focus has been on maximizing performance and affordability and it’s aimed solely at amateur racers to allow individual driving skills to be the key factor required to win. The ‘spec’ spaceframe chassis however comes with the option of three body styles – Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger – and all are fitted with the same 6.2-litre V8 engine producing 525 hp to keep performance level and reduce costs.
Already TA2 is making its mark outside of the U.S. with TA2 Australia bursting into life with its first standalone races being held last October when the initial batch of eight cars arrived. In fact, eighteen cars have now been sold in Australia meaning the grids are filling up fast and the idea of the concept is to offer franchises and spread it individually into each of the states.
Now it’s coming to Thailand and the first of the four cars has just landed (this one being a Ford Mustang body shape). It will be demonstrated in full race mode action at the Bangsaen Grand Prix in three weeks’ time, the muscular monster set to guest star in the reborn GT3 race before more track time for TA2 Thailand is added into the TSS programme in the countdown to the full launch of the series.
Bringing TA2 here is the brainchild of Craig Corliss, the veteran Super Car GTM driver best known to Thai race fans for his exploits behind the wheel of the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore. Craig has acquired the agency for Thailand (as well as Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia) from TA2 builder, Michigan-based Howe Racing Enterprises, and is now overseeing the transit of the first four cars (the other three for the record are a Camaro, Challenger and a second Mustang).
The New Zealander believes TA2 is going to be a perfect fit for the region, plug a big gap in the market and provide the ideal platform for amateur drivers to express themselves. “The car has a beasty 6.2-litre GM V8 race engine that runs on pump gas,” Craig says, adding that they have focused on a ‘one make’ format to create value, be as cost effective as possible and to be able to fully support entrants. “All the components have a low purchase price and the importers will carry the spare parts to reduce overall costs as much as possible for the teams. At the same time owners will not require high team costs associated with modern v8 type cars as their cars can serviced by TA2 Thailand if required.”
He reckons that the TA2 concept is going to tick a lot of boxes in Thailand. “We are starting this controlled class to bridge a gap in Thai motorsport due to the big space in cost terms between Super 2000 and GT3 type cars,” Craig says. “This will be a good class for young drivers to enter and only amateur drivers will be permitted to allow competitors the chance to get on the podium.”
Craig also says that they have undertaken developments to the racecar to optimize it for regional markets including Thailand. “We have made changes to the car to bring them more in line with Asian racing expectations like sequential gearbox and paddle shift,” he adds.
He’s upbeat that TA2 Thailand’s going to be the ideal platform to both learn and showcase skills. “TA2’s perfect for amateur drivers as it provides close racing due to the controlled components,” he says, adding “The adjustment is with the car set up and shocks and the car is fitted with only leading brand racing parts and components.” (Full report of the first TA2 car in Thailand plus specifications in next news edition).
Relentless push for ever greater safety in Bangsaen
While the Bangsaen Street Circuit might look broadly visually similar along its 3.7 km length to the casual observer the big two-year push to attain FIA Grade 3 homologation has seen virtually every aspect of the safety barriers lining the two sides of the track renewed, changed, upgraded or evolved right down to the very tiniest details.
One of the biggest challenges with a temporary street circuit is providing ease of access during both, the action on track, and then after the engines have died away for the day. Within racing hours there is a key focus on safety and maintaining rapid access to the track for emergency crews and support. To that end the Track Development Team has been reviewing and reconfiguring existing ‘overlap’ access points, particularly on the start-finish straight between Turn 20 and Turn 1, two on the inside and one on the outside. These are key access points for emergency vehicles, including the Safety Car, during race competition, and are also important access points for public vehicles outside of race time.
Overlaps, explains Track Designer Simon Gardini, are an important solution to maintaining safety while facilitating rapid access. “On a fully compliant racetrack everything overlaps in the direction of travel, so if you want to have access to the track you create an overlap whereby the gap points out in the direction that people race so if you stand out in the middle of the track and look to the sides they look like continuous barriers all the way,” says the Australian designer. “That has the effect that if two cars come together, or if there is a mistake or a mechanical failure and a car runs up against the barrier then there is nothing at an angle that presents a danger and they will run along the barriers including straight across an overlap.
Simon explains why overlaps provide an optimal solution for Bangsaen. “One of the biggest changes, if you look back through the last two or three years, has been the installation of safety measures that align with FIA Guidelines around the Bangsaen track” he says.” “Before these changes, non-racing movement for local traffic outside of racing hours was very well facilitated, but in a way that is not accepted by the FIA. This was one of the standout safety issues, you always had the possibility of a car going through a gap in the guardrail that was unprotected.” He continues, “They’re very important to maintain, rather than just seal the track off,” he adds. “Not only for the good of people accessing the track outside but also for recovery vehicles, intervention vehicles, fire vehicles and to push disabled cars back off the track, so you really need this type of access that addresses a number of issues at once.”
In addition to overlaps, access gates are critical in planning a street circuit. These are also being renewed around the Bangsaen track for 2017, with the combination of overlaps and gates to provide an optimum access solution. “Each has a different role to play in the overall picture”, Simon says. “Here in Bangsaen gates are a way of creating access in areas where we have narrow roads intersecting the track which do not provide the space needed to create an overlap. Gates are the better option in this case,” he says. “Gates can be a little more complicated, as you are introducing another moving part, so you need to make sure they are very well constructed and securely built. From an operational perspective, if you are going to use gates during racing activity, for instance to allow a car off the track, you have to be sure they can be opened and closed very rapidly, reliably and safely.”
“Generally we aim to maximise the use of overlaps where they’re achievable,” Simon concludes. “Where they’re not, or where they’re not user friendly enough for access out of public hours due to their overlapping angle, then that’s where we have gates. I think we are well on the way to a solution that is much safer for racing, whilst still allowing the track to be quickly re-opened to the public at the end of each day’s competition.”
