A sleepy Thai town that dreams of becoming a worldwide sports centre will face its first test this week when it hosts the country’s first MotoGP race.
Tens of 1000’s of tourists are expected to flock to Buriram, the major town within the wet rice-growing region, where the unexpected Thai Grand Prix shall be held.
Hosting MotoGP, the world’s premier motorcycle race, is already a victory, but there is concept that Formula One may very well be next on Buriram’s agenda, with its racetrack certified as F1-compliant.
Buriram, which has a population of just 30,000, has boomed lately, thanks largely to multi-million dollar investments in sports infrastructure.
In 2011, Thunder Castle, a 32,600-capacity stadium, was built, which is home to the Thai Premier League champions, Buriram United football team.
Three years later, the Chang International Circuit, designed by Hermann Tilke at a value of $60 million, was built. It will now host certainly one of the biggest sporting events in Thai history.
Buriram was given the go-ahead to host MotoGP after Bangkok withdrew plans to host a Formula One night race on the streets of the Thai capital.
The MotoGP races, which begin with practice sessions on Friday and finish on Sunday, represent a step forward for the agricultural provinces of their quest for international fame.
According to local media, Thailand pays around $3 million a yr for the rights to host the race for 3 years.
“GLOBAL RECOGNITION”
The money spent on MotoGP is anticipated to supply a return within the billions of Thai baht (tens of thousands and thousands of dollars).
Notable sponsors include duty-free giant King Power (owner of Leicester City Football Club), Thai brewer Chang, energy and banking firms, and Southeast Asian ride-hailing app Grab.
After MotoGP, there may be much talk that Newin may try to draw the larger and more famous Formula 1, thus fulfilling long-cherished aspirations of Thai tourism and sport.
The combination of small towns and F1 hasn’t at all times been a glad one. The Korean Grand Prix was faraway from the Formula One calendar just three years after it was unveiled in rural Yeongam County in 2010.
For now, it’s anyone’s guess whether Thais will turn up in large numbers. In a rustic where the each day minimum wage is about $10, tickets start at $60 for a seat within the stands and go as much as a whole bunch within the VIP areas.
However, the primary signs are good, as tickets on the official MotoGP website have been sold out.
“We have to make an assessment after this event, which is being held for the primary time,” said Wandee Tiansawatkit, an adviser to Buriram Hotel Club, adding that the mood ahead of the race was “optimistic”.
The Thai government says it is ready for the challenges, on condition that there are thousands and thousands of dollars at stake.
“This is an important opportunity for our country to gain global recognition,” Ruj Saeng-udom, deputy governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, told reporters.
Source : Asia News Channel
