Motorbikes, motorbike racing and SBK Motul are popular in Thailand

Motul partners the Thai round of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship. Barni Racing Team is one of Motul’s technical partners in Superbike.

Thailand is one of those countries that have woken up to motor sport in just a few years in spectacular fashion. It has to be said that the motorbike has been a common form of transport in this country for decades. The growth of the sport can be attributed to the popularization of "Big Bikes" in recent years, when Japanese motor companies started manufacturing 250cc motorcycles in Thailand. With competitive pricing and accessibility for Thai people a phenomenon occurred which you may call "Big Bike Fever". Thai people then turned their interest towards motorbike sporting events.

Chang International Circuit, where the second round of the Motul WSBK took place last weekend, was built with the aim of developing young riders and drivers. According to Mr. Newin Chidchob, Chairman of Chang International Circuit, the growing interest in motor sport is an opportunity to elevate Thai youth and build a new generation of Thai Motorsports athletes. Among the local riders whom fan base is growing fast are Nakarin “Chip” Athiratpuwapat from AP Honda Racing and Apiwat "Stamp" Wongthananon from Yamaha Racing Thailand.

Apart from the World Superbike event, the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) and the PTT BRIC Superbike Championship also have events taking place at the venue located in Buriram.

The name Buriram means “the pleasant town.” Unlike previous years, it was particularly true in 2018 for the Barni Racing Team, Motul’s faithful technical partner. Its rider Xavi Forès’s second place in Race 1 was a first in the history of the team. This result puts the Spanish rider in third place in the championship two weeks before his home race!

© Lukas Swiderek