From the open practice day on Friday until taking the chequered flag late on Sunday afternoon, Round 9 of the FMSCT All Thailand Superbike Championship looked like it belonged to 2015 Champion, Anucha Nakcharoensri.
Back to back testing of the Yamaha Thailand R1 and the R6 he rides in the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in the days leading up to the race paid off, as Anucha brought the set up of each machine closer to the other. The tweaks meant that he could turn the superbike quicker through the technical areas of the track, which soon became evident in his sector and overall lap times.
His qualifying performance, which set a new lap record, stunned his competitors, none more than his championship leading team mate, Apiwat Wongthananon. Unhappy with the performance and likely durability of his engine after qualifying, Apiwat gambled on an engine change, which put him at the rear of the starting grid.
Although he charged through the field to take second place at the end of lap one, Anucha had already opened up a gap that he was able to increase as Apiwat engaged in another pitched battle with Suhathai Chaemsap.
That battle ended on lap 9, when the Power Speed BigWing rider braked too late into turn 4 and crashed heavily after clipping the Yamaha’s rear wheel. Chased by Suhathai’s improving team mate, Chanon Chumjai, Apiwat maintained his pace to finish second, 6.3 seconds behind Anucha.
SPW Racing’s Chaiwichit Nisakul was next through in fourth, with the rest of the field more than one minute behind, headed by the Ducati Panigale of Mark Kendle, who claimed the circuit’s own 2016 BRIC rookie class (SB-2) championship.
Superstock 1000 had a familiar look at the front, with a race long fight between the Yamahas of Anuparb Sarmoon and Anon Sangval. 2015 champion Anon was relentless with his challenges, taking the lead on several occasions and looked capable of winning.
The result was sealed at the start of the last lap when Anon got out of shape with a late braking attempt at turn 1, which gave Anuparb enough of a margin to complete the final four kilometres to the finish line.
Behind them, was a four way pitched battle between the Kawasakis of Whiz Racing project’s Bodeepak Watcharakajonwong, Kawasaki Thailand’s Ben Fortt, guest rider Kazuki Shimizu and Singha PTT Srisakon’s Apidej Boonsri. Bodeepak had most of the advantage over his rivals, despite especially strong challenges from Ben, who led frequently.
With Apidej crashing out on the last lap, the final order from third to fifth was Bodeepak, Ben and Shimizu. Local rider, Natthapol Wongwutiyan completed the top six with a strong ride behind far more experienced rivals.
The Supersport 600 podium – altogether a classy bunch of people … (Photo Credit Unkown)
The front three on the Supersport 600 grid took the podium in the same order after a masterclass performance by PTT Challenger Singha’s former Moto2 racer, Thitipong Warakorn, who took his Honda to the finish 10.5 seconds in front of Yamaha Thailand’s Prawat Yanwut home. Ratchada Nakcharoensri was 15 seconds further back on the TS Racing Yamaha after a lonely but strong race.
She was 12.4 seconds ahead of BRIC Round 1 race winner, Chusak Thavonkuldate. Ratchada has looked stronger through the season after her decision to sacrifice a garage full of first place rookie class trophies for a professional career and has earned her the respect of the TSB paddock.
Between the support races and national championship action, a tribute to his Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej was held. Bikes riders, teams and officials formed on the starting grid, then all 106 bikes entered for the event followed the safety car for a lap of the circuit. It was a solemn, but affectionate display of mourning for the father of modern Thailand.
Round 10 of the FMSCT All Thailand Superbike Championship will be at Thailand Circuit on 16-18th December.
Declaration of interest: Barry Russell is Jury President for the FMSCT All Thailand Superbike Championship