FREE WHEEL
BMX racing is one of the sports included in the 41st National Games now in progress in Chiang Mai. However, the host province doesn't have a venue for this particular sport; and building a new one just for the occasion means the investment would become useless and finally rot away after the games are over. Luckily, a family in neighbouring Lampang came to the rescue.
"I'm glad our track was selected for the big event," said Sirisak Jaisawang, head of Lampang's Sor Khelang BMX team. His daughter Hathaipetch, aka Nong Kwan, one of the team's six racers, won all of the five events at this year's Thailand Championship in the eight-year-old-and-under girl's category.
The course used for the National Games' BMX competition on Dec 11 was the third Sirisak and his wife Kanthamanee had built for their daughter and her teammates, with the help of Prasert Rattnapoom, better known among BMXers and downhillers as Na Der, who has designed several BMX and DH tracks across the Kingdom.
Like Nong Kwan, all the team members who came from different parts of the country live in the family home located right next to the BMX track. Over the past few days, the children were joined by older BMX riders, aged between 18 and 22, who came to practice for the big event.
The BMX racing circle is not so big so most of the racers, from the youngest to the oldest, know one another pretty well. And when they get the chance to eat and sleep under the same roof, it's like a big party every day.
"Nobody is happier than I am today!" said Kanthamanee, the mom, as she emerged from the kitchen to the long dining table where the riders and guests were enjoying lunch together prior to the race. She made all the dishes herself, after spending most of the morning helping her husband and the others put the finishing touch to the race course.
"It's like a family get-together, rather than a competition," she said with a big smile. "The kids eat together, practice together and at the end of the day they enjoy swimming together, taking turns jumping into the big pond next to the track." Aiming to take the Sor Khelang team to international level, Sirisak and his wife plan to build another BMX track on their land. Of course, Na Der, is going to be the designer.
Asked what the new track would be like, Na Der responded with a question: "Did you watch the BMX race in the London Olympics?"
"I will combine that course with that of Red Bull's R. Evolution 2012," he revealed, grinning. "It's gonna be big!"
Also in the plan are mountain-bike tracks, one for DH (yes, there are a couple of hills in the family's vast farmland) and the other for XC (cross-country). Work will begin soon since the BMX event of the National Games is already over and they are now free to go about it. Sirisak hopes to see everything done by May 13, which is his birthday.
The owner of Sor Khelang team said once those tracks are ready for use, they will be open to all bikers. I, for one, would love to try Na Der's new DH course. Besides, I'm already missing the food there.
Well, see you here again next Thursday. Until then, if you have questions, news or biking insights you wish to share, please feel free to send an email to pongpetm@bangkokpost.co.th or go to "Freewheel Bangkok" community page on Facebook.
Sor Khelang BMX track
Trail condition: BMX racing track.
Distance: 380m.
Getting there: The track is off the Lampang-Chae Hom road. Once you get to Lampang, call the owner for directions.
Parking: There's lots of parking space.
Food drinks: The owners are generous folks but it's best to bring your own supplies.
What your family can enjoy while waiting: There is a petanque court by the side of the BMX track. But to be honest, other than that there's not much for them to do if they don't enjoy watching you ride.
Accommodation: There are a number of hotels in downtown Lampang.
Local contact: Khun Sirisak, tel. 086-923-0588.
Pongpet Mekloy is the Bangkok Post's travel editor and a mountain bike freak.
Bangkok Post online classifieds
Try buying selling goods and properties 24/7 in our classifieds which has high purchasing power local expatriate audience from within Thailand and around the world.
About the author
Writer: Pongpet MekloyPosition: Travel Editor
Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/12/16/lampangs-track-to-fame-is-a-family-affair/
0 comments:
Post a Comment