A GREAT WEEKEND OF RACING, WSBK CHAMPIONSHIP AT CHANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT.
On Saturday we had two races, the first being for the Asia Talent Cup. This is a series with riders aged 17 to 20 on 250cc machines. We had a Thai rider, Somkiat Chantra, just missing out on the podium after finishing second only to be demoted two positions, leaving him in fourth spot.
He did however keep the packed grandstand, especially the Thai supporters, happy with the runaway win on Sunday.
The second race on Saturday was the World Superbike 1st race. Defending champion and double winner in the first two rounds at Phillip Island last month, Jonathan Rea was looking for a win at the track he did the double at last year.
He came off the line in first place which he held for two laps only to run wide and allow teammate Tom Sykes to pass him.
They held these positions until 3 laps from the end of the 20 lap race when Rea passed and pulled away to claim the victory.
Podium Positions:
P1. Rea, Ireland. P2. Sykes, England. P3. Van de Mark, Holland.
Rea went into Sunday’s race hoping for another win to give him a perfect 4 from 4 at the start of the championship.
On Sunday we also had the World Supersport race for 600cc bikes. This provided little enjoyment for the Thai fans as last year’s winner Willairot pulled out after a few laps with a machine problem.
Race 2 of the World Superbikes turned out to be probably the best race you will see in the series this year.
This time it was Sykes who had the lead from Rea with Chaz Davies following in 3rd. With 7 laps to go Rea took the lead and was then passed by Davies as Sykes followed.
A move by Sykes with 3 laps to go saw him pass the leading pair and it stayed that way to the finish, but what a finish, as they crossed the line with the time of 0.1 secs splitting each rider.
Podium:
P1. Sykes, England.P2. Rea, Ireland. P3. Davies, Wales.
A great result for Kawasaki with 1st & 2nd in both races & a great result for the British riders. Not forgetting an exhibition of thrilling racing for the thousands of overseas and Thai fans who turned up for another superbly organized meeting at the Buriram Chang International Circuit