The Netz Cup Vitz Race at Fuji International Speedway.
Thai sport fans are waiting with bated breath as they start the countdown to one of the biggest international motorsport events, the Race of Champions in Bangkok, from December 14 to 16. In the meantime, two Thai drivers had an opportunity to drive on an international race track.
It was raining and freezing with the temperature at 0 degree Celsius in mid November when Alongkorn Youngyuen or "Bird" and Dejpol Thongpoon or "Boy" from Toyota Motor Thailand's Vitz Thailand racing team tested their driving expertise in the "Netz Cup Vitz Race" at Fuji International Speedway.
The Netz Cup Vitz Race is one of Toyota Motorsport Festival's competitions held by Toyota Motor Corporation. This year it became one of the contests in JAF Grand Prix Super GT Nippon Fuji Sprint Cup 2012. The two drivers qualified for the Japan race by topping the standings at Thailand's annual Toyota Yaris One Make Race.
The Fuji Speedway is a motorsport race track standing in the foothills of Mount Fuji, south of Tokyo. It was built in the early 1960s and hosted the first Formula One race in Japan in 1976. Known as one of the best race tracks in Japan, Fuji Speedway has played a vital role in the development of motorsport as well as automobile manufacturing in Japan. It is also known for having one of the longest straights in motorsport tracks, at 1.5 km in length.
Although sumo and baseball are the two most popular sports in Japan, many sport lovers attended the racing event this year. They had no fear of rain, breeze or the cold weather. They stood in the stands to cheer their beloved racers. Around 30 Thai media persons were invited to witness the thrilling event. However, rain and the slippery track proved a double whammy for the Thai team, which could reach the top 10. Alongkorn and Dejpol passed the qualifying stage through the grand final round and finished at 29th and 40th places respectively.
Nevertheless, the result of the duo satisfied the manager of Toyota Team Thailand, Suttipong Smittachartch, who during the practice was confident that his race drivers would finish among the top 15. He was buoyed when told by a Japanese trainer, who was a former champion in the Netz Cup, that the performances of the Thai duo were much better than many other Japanese racers.
But the difference in weather between the practice day and the race day proved the main obstacle for the two drivers, Suttipong said. Moreover, lack of experience was another factor, which hampered the drivers, he said and added that he would make sure that Thai racers get more chances to practice on the Fuji Speedway and other big tracks in the future.
"I think Thai drivers have great skills and their development is better than many others. They can shine if they get a chance in international competitions," he said.
My feeling after watching the race was that the Thais may not start winning immediately but given the right exposure and encouragement they will start giving experienced drivers a run for their money.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/12/02/bird-and-boy-need-exposure-and-encouragement/
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