Rumors of Bira Circuit Racetrack, Pattaya to Close

[KTMphil]

Would be a huge shame to see this track close



For Bira Circuit racetrack, finish line approaching fast | Bangkok Post: auto







For Bira Circuit racetrack, finish line approaching fast

• Published: 27/11/2012 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: Business

Siam Motors Group is keen to buy Bira Circuit and turn the 164-rai racetrack into a real estate development, a move that would end the loud noise made by racing cars that disturbs players at nearby golf courses.
Negotiations are under way with Bira Circuit One Co, the owner of the racetrack in Pattaya.
The price is to the tune of 300 million baht, said Prachin Eamlumnow, one of three major partners in the full-service racetrack.
The deal is expected to conclude after the regular racing events at Bira Circuit end next March.
Mr Prachin, who is also organising chairman of the motor show event every March and the owner of Grand Prix magazine, said Phornthep Phornprapha, chairman of Siam Motors, has approached him about Bira Circuit.
Mr Phornthep intends to turn the property into accommodations for clients of his two nearby golf courses.
Siam Country Club Pattaya, owned by Siam Motors, runs the 18-hole Old Course and the 27-hole Plantation, which have hosted events such as the LPGA Thailand tournament. Siam Motors is developing the 18-hole New Course at a cost of 500 million baht excluding land price, to open in March 2014.
Once completed, the three courses are expected to make Siam Country Club Pattaya a leading golf destination in Asia.
Auto races at Bira Circuit have become notorious for disturbing golfers. Also, the 2.41-kilometre circuit is too short for today's high-performance racing cars.
"I need money to build a new racetrack in Kanchanaburi, where accommodations will also be built to serve tourists," Mr Prachin said.
Apart from Mr Prachin, the prominent developer Chanat Ruangkritya and a close colleague also have stakes in Bira Circuit One. Each has equal interest in the racetrack venture.
Bira Circuit, founded in 1985, was named for Prince Birabongse Bhanutej Bhanubandh, a Formula One racer.
The racetrack once hosted some of the more popular race series in Asia, including the South East Asia Touring Car Zone Challenge and the Asian Formula 2000.
Located in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, Bira Circuit is the only internationally certified racetrack in Thailand.

 

[KTMphil]

We're hearing from a reliable source:


"Not rumor, sold already to Ponprapa family"

 

[KTMphil]

Bamboo telegraph reporting on more season before shutting

 

[KTMphil]

A developing petition:



BIRA LOVERS - GET UNITED!!!
AUTOMOBILES

For Bira Circuit racetrack, finish line approaching fast
Published: 27/11/2012 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: Business
Siam Motors Group is keen to buy Bira Circuit and turn the 164-rai racetrack into a real estate development, a move that would end the loud noise made by racing cars that disturbs players at nearby golf courses.

Negotiations are under way with Bira Circuit One Co, the owner of the racetrack in Pattaya.

The price is to the tune of 300 million baht, said Prachin Eamlumnow, one of three major partners in the full-service racetrack.

The deal is expected to conclude after the regular racing events at Bira Circuit end next March.

Mr Prachin, who is also organising chairman of the motor show event every March and the owner of Grand Prix magazine, said Phornthep Phornprapha, chairman of Siam Motors, has approached him about Bira Circuit.

Mr Phornthep intends to turn the property into accommodations for clients of his two nearby golf courses.

Siam Country Club Pattaya, owned by Siam Motors, runs the 18-hole Old Course and the 27-hole Plantation, which have hosted events such as the LPGA Thailand tournament. Siam Motors is developing the 18-hole New Course at a cost of 500 million baht excluding land price, to open in March 2014.

Once completed, the three courses are expected to make Siam Country Club Pattaya a leading golf destination in Asia.

Auto races at Bira Circuit have become notorious for disturbing golfers. Also, the 2.41-kilometre circuit is too short for today's high-performance racing cars.

"I need money to build a new racetrack in Kanchanaburi, where accommodations will also be built to serve tourists," Mr Prachin said.

Apart from Mr Prachin, the prominent developer Chanat Ruangkritya and a close colleague also have stakes in Bira Circuit One. Each has equal interest in the racetrack venture.

Bira Circuit, founded in 1985, was named for Prince Birabongse Bhanutej Bhanubandh, a Formula One racer.

The racetrack once hosted some of the more popular race series in Asia, including the South East Asia Touring Car Zone Challenge and the Asian Formula 2000.

Located in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, Bira Circuit is the only internationally certified racetrack in Thailand.

 

[Loop]

Hopefully Birra will be replaced by a higher standard track elsewhere.

 

[KTMphil]

There's supposed to be one coming in Kanchanaburi

 

[garethw]

Can't they just give the golfers ear plugs?

 

[LivinLOS]

Hopefully Birra will be replaced by a higher standard track elsewhere.

http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/under-helmet/2022-chiang-mai-eyed-f1-track.html

We can but dream..

 

[crowster69]

i spotted this picture of a supposedly new track for chiangmai out near maetang on mocyc.com a few months back.I really hope its on the cards.its about 4km long and looks the business.Bira was ok but too short for big bikes really

 

[Loop]

^ nice find Greg,looks the goods but the real thing will be a much bigger hurdle for the Thai`s.

 

[barrygrussell]

Let's hope this project is real and not another 'Enigma'. To give Thailand what it needs it should be minimum 4.5km, which gives it a shot at FIA homologation; if it gets FIA, then FIM should be a piece of cake.

However, the likelihood of it happening can probably be measured in basis points!!

The thing that's driving me nuts is the likelihood of billions of baht being spent on a street circuit to host F1 in 2014 when Thai (road racing) motorsport has just been delivered a near fatal blow by the closure of Bira. They ned to get real and spend the cash on a proper circuit that can host F1, MotoGP and WSBK AND provide a proper circuit for elite Thai racers to develop properly on. You can see how much Sepang is doing for Malaysian racers, so a successful example already exists down the road.

 

[barrygrussell]

Regarding Kanchanaburi and without giving too much away, that is a complete red herring!!

 

[KTMphil]

We did have Brian66 talking about building a track just north of Khon Kaen, I'll try find out if that's still being thought about. There's also another guy in Chiang Mai with some money that's talking about building a track near Mae On, 30km from Chiang Mai, we're watching this carefully.

 

[barrygrussell]

Thanks Phil, I'm keeping a close eye on things too

 

[monsterman]

Kanchinaburi track is pie in the sky as for an F1 quality track no chance Bernie Eccelstone requires massive license payments , and the Thais would never qualify , also ther are so many F1 tracks around the world redundant or to costly to use another one makes no business sense .

any tracks that do get built here will most likely be micky mouse affairs , poorly managed with few facilities , shame but thats how it is .Thais just cant do major project with any real depth to them .