Chang International Circuit set to host GT World Challenge Asia 2024
Buriram United International Circuit (BRIC), manager of the Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram, joined with the private sector and the Sports Authority of Thailand on Tuesday to confirm it will host the international sports car competition, the GT World Challenge Asia, on May 11 and 12.
The GT World Challenge is a global racing series contested across four continents: America, Europe, Australia, and Asia throughout the year. Thailand, alongside Malaysia, Japan, and China, serves as one of the hosts for the competition in Asia.
In Asia, the competition spans 7 circuits, with the first leg hosted by Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on April 18-21. Thailand is the venue for the second leg, before the series moves on to Japan, with the third, fourth, fifth and sixth legs taking place at Sportsland SUGO on June 7-9, at Fuji International Speedway on June 21-23, at Suzuka Circuit on July 5-7, and at Okayama International Circuit on August 23-25, before wrapping on September 13-15 at Shanghai Audi International Circuit.
For the second leg of the competition in Thailand, the official program will commence with practice sessions on Friday, May 10. Qualifying rounds will be held on Saturday, May 11, followed by the first race in the afternoon of the same day. The second race will then take place on Sunday, May 12.
Nittaya Kerdchanthuek, director of the Office of the Professional Sports Committee, Sports Authority of Thailand, noted that Thailand stands to benefit in multiple ways from hosting the Super Car event, which combines top-tier global racing brands. This allows Thai motorsport enthusiasts to witness such events without travelling abroad, while inspiring up-and-coming professional racers, fostering tourism, promoting Thailand's image domestically and internationally, and sustaining economic growth.
Benjamin Franasovici, general manager of Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS, stated that while the previous season was already significant, the 2024 season promised to be even more impressive with over 33 racers from 8 factory teams, marking the highest participation in the competition's history. He emphasised the uniqueness of the Asian continent's competition, highlighting its scale and stature compared to European events.
Chotchanok Chidchob, director of International Activities at Chang International Circuit, described the GT World Challenge Asia as the largest international series of supercar racing events being held at the circuit in 2024. He added that the past season had been exhilarating despite the two-year absence of GT World due to the Covid-19 pandemic and guaranteed that this year's competition would be just as thrilling and enjoyable as before.
