The world’s top motocross stars have come together for the Thai round of the FIM Motocross Grand Prix World Championship, which is being held at Pinthong 3 racetrack in Sri Racha from March 7-9.
This is the second year that Thailand has hosted the MXGP after the resounding success of the inaugural round in 2013. Not only were the track and facilities praised by riders and teams, but the warm weather and Thai hospitality make this one of the most popular Grands Prix on the calendar.
Experience some World Championship FIM Motocross action this weekend.
At the centre of attention this weekend will be seven times MXGP world champion, Antonio Cairoli, riding for Red Bull KTM. The popular Italian faces challenges from arch rivals like Kawasaki’s Gautier Paulin, who won the season opener in Qatar, Tommy Searle, Suzuki’s Clement Desalle, Kevin Strijbos and Honda’s German star, Maximilian Nagel.
Extra interest comes from Husqvarna, as the iconic Swedish brand returns to grand prix racing this season with Australia’s Tyla Rattray, who beat Cairoli to the supporting MX2 world championship in 2008. MXGP allows four-stroke engines of up to 450cc, although Cairoli and Rattray prefer the easier to handle 350cc machines.
The stand-out rider in the MX2 support class, for machines with 250cc four-stroke engines, is current world champion Jeffrey Herlings, who has won the last 15 grands prix. At just 19 years old, he is causing as much of a sensation as Marc Marquez in MotoGP. Herlings can be sure of tough battles with fellow KTM stars Jordi Tixier and Jose Butron, as well as Kawasaki’s Dylan Ferrandis, who started the season in scintillating form at the opening round in Qatar, running Herlings close for the win.
The Thai MXGP has plenty of local interest too, with wildcard entries from Thai stars ‘Chaiyan’ Rhompan, ‘Arnon’ Theplib and Thanarat Penjan. The programme will also include rounds of Thailand’s national MXA championship and the new ‘Grasshopper’ class for underbone machines, such as the ubiquitous Honda Wave. This promises close racing and a lot of fun as these converted motorcycle taxis fly over the jumps as they battle for victory.
Riders will have to negotiate 13 turns and 18 jumps at the Pinthong 3 track in Sri Racha.
Explaining the appeal of motocross, media manager, Barry Russell explained, “MXGP is so spectacular that, unlike MotoGP and Formula One, you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy it. Spectators can watch from the edge of the track, so are much closer to the action than you can get in almost any other form of motorsport. There is a friendly atmosphere everywhere – even in the paddock – and it really is a great family day out.”
The Pinthong 3 track is 1,550 metres in length and presents a unique set of challenges, with 13 turns and 18 jumps, including the daunting triple, in which riders are airborne for more than three seconds.
To get there from Pattaya, take Highway 7 towards Bangkok and at the exit for Laem Chabang turn right onto the 331 and keep going for 12km. You will pass Pinthong 3 on the right and continue until you make a U-turn to arrive at the Thai MXGP main entrance on the left.
Tickets can be obtained on site at the MXGP Paddock Entrance. 500 baht paddock pass (3 day pass: Friday 7- Sunday 9 March). Tickets for the grandstands priced at 500, 700, 1000, 1,500 and 5,000 baht are available through www.Thaiticketmajor.com.
For more information visit: www.facebook.com/thaimxgp or www.thaimxgp.com.
