Bira Circuit
 | |
| Location | Pattaya, Thailand |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC+07:00 Thai Standard Time |
| Coordinates | 12°55′17″N 101°0′33″E / 12.92139°N 101.00917°E |
| Capacity | 30,000 |
| Broke ground | 1985 |
| Opened | 26 April 1986 |
| Major events | Former: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (2003–2005) ATCS (2000–2006, 2008–2009) Formula BMW Asia (2003–2006) Formula Asia (1997–1998, 2000–2002) South East Asia Touring Car Zone Challenge (1992–1998) |
| Full Circuit (1986–present) | |
| Length | 2.410 km (1.498 miles) |
| Turns | 11 |
| Race lap record | 1:01.569 ( Michael Patrizi, Mygale FB02, 2005, Formula BMW) |
Bira Circuit is a motor racing track in Thailand, located in 111 Moo 5 Banglamung, Chonburi, 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Pattaya. The circuit is located on State Highway 36 which is 120 km (75 mi) from Bangkok and 20-kilometre (12 mi) from the CBD of Pattaya.[1]
The venue is named after first Thai Formula 1 racing driver, Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh. The circuit has been operated by Bira Circuit One Company, Limited. The track, initially opened in 1986, covers an area of 65 acres (260,000 m2). It is a 2.410 km (1.498 mi) permanent motor and motorbike racing circuit with an offroad track, a rally stage and a go-kart facility.
The circuit is twisty and bumpy and consists of elevation and two chicanes, a fast downhill double apex corner.[2] There are 30 pits for racecars, plus a control tower, medical center and meeting room. The grandstand and spectator area can accommodate up to 100,000 people.[3] It is also the first circuit in Thailand that meets the standard of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (F.I.A.). The South East Asia Touring Car Zone Challenge (SEATCZC) has been run at Bira Circuit since 1992 and the Asian Formula 2000 since 1997. The Circuit has full facilities for arranging all kinds of motorsport events; race meeting, racing school, test drives, etc.[4][5]
On the straights of Bira's go-kart track speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph) can be achieved depending on the weather conditions. In order to meet Commission Internationale de Karting's standard, the go-kart track was overhauled in 2006.[1]
Lap records
[edit]As of September 2016, the fastest official race lap records at the Bira Circuit are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Circuit: 2.410 km (1986–present)[5] | ||||
| Formula BMW | 1:01.569[6] | Michael Patrizi | Mygale FB02 | 2005 Pattaya Formula BMW Asia round |
| Asian Formula 2000 | 1:02.440[7] | Ng Wai Leong | Argo Formula Asia | 2000 Pattaya Formula Asia 2000 round |
| Super Touring | 1:03.090[8] | Charles Kwan | BMW 320 | 1998 Pattaya SEATCZC round |
| TCR Touring Car | 1:04.669[9] | Jack Lemvard | SEAT León Cup Racer | 2016 Pattaya TCR Thailand round |
| Super 2000 | 1:07.761[10] | Charoensukawattana Nattavude | Peugeot 306 GTi | 2001 Pattaya ATCC round |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Welcome to Bira Circuit -- The Home of Pure Racing Excitement". bira.co.th. 2007. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
- ^ "Bira Circuit, Thailand". afos.com. 2005. Archived from the original on 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
- ^ "Circuit Details for Bira". meritusracing.com. 2009. Archived from the original on 2006-02-19. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
- ^ "Bira Circuit Co., Ltd". grandprixgroup.com. 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-04-26. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
- ^ a b "Bira Circuit". RacingCircuits.info. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "2005 Formula BMW Asia - Round 5 - Bira - Race". 12 June 2005. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ "Asian Formula 2000 2000 Round 10 Results: Asian Festival of Speed Bira International Circuit, Thailand - September 3rd". 3 September 2000. Archived from the original on 8 July 2001. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "South East Asia Touring Car Zone Challenge 1998 Round 1 Results: Asian Festival of Speed, Bira, Thailand April 13th-14th, 1998". 14 April 1998. Archived from the original on 14 May 2001. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "2016 Thailand Super Series Round 5-6 - TCR Thailand - Official Race 7 Result". 10 September 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ "Asian Touring Car Championship 2001 Round 10 Results: Asian Festival of Speed, Bira, Thailand August 25th - 26th, 2001". 26 August 2001. Archived from the original on 2 January 2002. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Grunwell leads the way for Thais[usurped]
- Highside Tours, Highsidetours Track Days in Thailand
- Thai Superbike, Thai Superbike Track Days in Thailand
- Track Days Website, Track Days in Thailand
- Thai trax Website, Thai Trax Track Days in Thailand
- Siam Track Days[permanent dead link], Siam Track Days in Thailand
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