More than 100,000 visitors are expected to attend Thailand's first MotoGP event to be held in Buri Ram on Oct 5-7.
The "PTT Thailand Grand Prix 2018" will see 90 riders race in three world-championship categories. Among them are Spaniard Marc Marquez, 25, a four-time MotoGP champion, Jorge Lorenzo, the three-time champion, also from Spain, and the fan favourite Valentino Rossi, a multiple MotoGP world champion from Italy. Nakarin Atiratphuvapat will participate in the Moto3 World Championship.
There will also be a meet and greet session with the legendary Michael Doohan, 53, the former world champion for five consecutive years, along with Marquez at the event.
Founded in 1949, MotoGP is the world's No.1 motorcycle circuit racing event. It has more than 800 million fans worldwide and about one million fans in Thailand.
The race consists of three classes categorised by power of engine. The Moto3 class is for 250cc bikes engine. Riders who join the race should be 16-28 years old. Moto2 is for 600cc machines and riders must be at least 16 years old. MotoGP has a maximum engine capacity of 1000cc and the minimum age for riders is 18.
The hosting venue for the race in Thailand is Chang International Circuit, a 40-minute drive from Buri Ram airport. Opened in 2014, the track has 12 turns and the total distance is 4.554km. It was designed by German architect Hermann Tilke, who also designed the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, the Ciudad del Motor de Aragón, or Motorland Aragón, in Spain and Circuit of the Americas in the United States.
Thailand has the rights to host the MotoGP event from 2018 to 2020. The Tourism and Sports Ministry expects the international motorcycle race will generate huge incomes for the tourism industry.
There are still tickets available for those who love speed. Prices are 2,000 baht for a site stand ticket and 20,000 baht for a VIP ticket which also includes food and drinks, free Wi-Fi and a special place to view the 12th turn, which is close to the start-and-finish line.
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