Bangsaen today makes the races I have seen at Bira this summer and autumn look like a cake walk by comparison and the number of crashes on 'out' laps was simply amazing along with the number of do-or-die passing moves executed during practice and qualifying. Great for the spectator though, this is pure racing entertainment. With most of today's sessions being only 15 minutes in duration it was eye-opening as to just how much damage could be done in such a short space of time and every session wrapped up with cars returning to the paddock on the end of towropes or on the back of flatbeds. The safety car was certainly clocking up some mileage today. It would really appear that no one has told the drivers that the first races are actually in two days time and I cannot guess what actually goes on at the official driver briefing. The track was pretty dirty and green and it would seem no one had noticed this fact, while the rapid fall in Thai November temperatures here as the afternoon ground into teatime meant the nature of the track was changing constantly and with each session the characteristics had evolved meaning the driver had to reacclimatise themselves. Bangsaen has a fearsome reputation, treat it with complacency and it will bite you back. As with so many race circuits in the world, respect is a keyword here. The net result once all the sessions had shaken out is that the paddock was a throbbing hive of activity when I stick my head in on the way home around eight o ...
Tags: bangsaen, thailand, speed, festival, 2009, paddock, super, car, commonrail, 1500, 2000, toyota, arto, honda, yaris, jazz, pick, up, mazda, supra, rx8, integra, rx-8
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