barrygrussell
Senior Member
Thailand's new-look motocross championships got off to an explosive start over the weekend of 8-9 February at the Thai MXGP track at Pinthong Industrial Estate, Sri Racha, Chonburi.
Saturday 8[SUP]th[/SUP] was dedicated to practice and included intensive training by Jan Postema who provided coaching about the technical, physical and psychological techniques required to get the best out of this demanding track. For the professional, elite riders present Postema gave insights into how to compete with the best riders in the world, while the amateurs and youngsters present benefited from tips on riding and bike set-up which enabled them to take many precious seconds off their lap times.
Postema, a former Motocross Grand Prix racer and now one of the world's top trainers explained "Motocross is a huge challenge. It requires the precision of golf and the aggression of boxing and involves sacrifice, dedication and pain to succeed at the top level."
The riders all agreed about the value of the day's training, citing significant improvements in lap times and better cornering and jumping techniques. The paddock was buzzing with the news that 'Chaiyan' had been clearing the famous triple and the Thai stars got in some valuable track time ahead of their wildcard entries to the Grand Prix on 7-9 March.
"I really love the track," said Chaiyan, "It has everything and is so challenging to get right.
"The training with Jan Postema was amazing and has given me more confidence that I can qualify for the final of the MXGP," continued the Yamaha rider. "My physical condition is good and I will keep working hard so that I can get the best possible results."
Chaiyan's arch rival and Honda's number one, 'Turbo' Arnon, was also bristling with confidence. "I have been doing a lot of cycling and training with a specialist sports coach and am in good physical shape. This track is awesome and I am improving all the time and aim to put on a good show in MXGP next month."
On race day, and in the absence of Kunka KTM's injured 'Game' Trakarn, the two Thai stars were beaten squarely in both MX1 races by Phuket-based Hungarian, 26 year-old Deczi Balazs, on his first visit to the track. In race one he bided his time, benefiting from a late error by Chaiyan to take the win by 18 seconds. Turbo trailed in fourth place for much of the race, but became stronger towards the end to take third place from Sanos Barka, who finished ahead of the MX2 category winner, 'Ben' Jukkritt on a Honda, who was 35 seconds clear of the MX1 Suzuki of Wattana and 47 seconds clear of 'Boat' Thannarat's Kawasaki. Panuphong was third ahead of Prakasit and Taweesuk.
In race two, a confident Balazs forced his Yamaha into the lead at the first turn and pulled away progressively to win by a full 30 seconds at the chequered flag. Turbo gave chase, but could not match the newcomer's pace, while Chaiyan finished a further 15 seconds back. Barka again took fourth. The MX2 class was won this time by Boat from Ben, with Panuphong claiming another third place. Taipob was the fourth MX2 finisher with Taweesuk again finishing fifth.
The final podium positions were Balazs, Turbo and Chaiyan in MX1 and Boat, Ben and Panuphong in MX2.
Balazs looked more than happy with his day's work. "This is a fantastic track," he said, "The racing was brilliant and I am so happy to have won today. I started motocross 20 years ago in Hungary when I was six years old and recently have been racing in the south of Thailand. I am looking forward to battling with these guys some more this year."
There was another Hungarian clean sweep in the MXA Amateur class, with Laros Czegledi taking the honours on his KTM from Chatchay and Tanakorn. Female ace Nutcha led most of race 2 from Czegledi, who took the lead on the final lap. Nutcha was alone on the women's podium, but her performance against seasoned male opposition had been impressive.
There was plenty of action in the MXA Junior Pro races. Kitsada took wins in both heats but only after a race long battle with Apichai which he won by just 0.4 seconds in race one, with Sornsiri third ahead of Muhammud and Chindanai. It was Muhummud who got closest in the second race after fierce a battle for second with Sornsiri and Chindanai. Sornsiri crashed heavily, winding himself and bending his handlebars, but courageously remounted to finish 5[SUP]th[/SUP]. Chindanai took a fall on the last lap but got back on quickly to take third.
Images by TonMotoGraphy and Barry Russell
