Satisfying the need for speed on a motorcycle is not what the public roads of Thailand can ever, or should ever, be about. Track Time Thailand can satisfy that need, but also equip motorcyclists with the experience needed to ride safely and survive Thailand’s dangerous roads.
The Royal Coast Review has been able to talk with founder John Sinnaeve to better understand how Track Time Thailand now provides this opportunity.
It’s a sad fact that motorcycle crashes account for up to 80% of road crash fatalities on the nation’s roads. However motorcyclists who take the time to learn about bike handling and improve their defensive riding abilities can at least partly mitigate these dangers.
That’s where practice at Track Time Thailand, where there’s a strong message that road safety has top priority, can make a big difference. That means practice on a closed track with no unexpected potholes, only one way traffic and no U turns.
TT#6 on Sunday 13th June is the next opportunity for motorcyclists to take to the Kaeng Krachan Circuit, a purpose made racing track, to experience ‘speed with safety’ under the supervision of Track Time founder John Sinnaeve and his team of motorcycling experts.
John says he was amazed when he first came across the Kaeng Krachan Circuit in May 2020. “This privately owned race track had all the necessary ingredients for the Track Time project to be a success; unbelievable!” What he discovered was a sensational layout of almost 3 kilometres with a great road surface, properly maintained support facilities for riders and service crews and superb spectator hospitality areas.
This is listed as the second longest race track in Thailand, opening in 2010.
After establishing a working relationship with the sole Thai owner for the circuit to be rented, the first Track Time Thailand (TT#1) was underway last year.
At TT#6, an enthusiastic group of riders from all over Thailand will be coming in all shapes and sizes with a diverse range of machinery. Test bikes including Ducati, KTM, Royal Enfield, and Bajaj will also be available. There is also be a Moto Swap Meet planned as a second hand motorcycle-related market.
This can also be a great family day out with free spectator entrance to be either track side with food and drinks on sale or at the VIP lounge with a second level panoramic deck overlooking the full race track.
TT#6 on 13th June is designated as a GOURMET EVENT as the Sheraton Resort will be the caterers track-side to ensure that both participants and spectators have a selection of great food to match the great action.
Max Ulrech 71 years old on John Sinnaeve’s right drives a Kawasaki ER6
and still fits in his 40 year old racing leathers,
Herbert Hoffman on his left; 73 years old holds the circuit lap record.
You may spot local celebrity Herbert Hoffman, a 73 year old who holds the track lap record on his ‘green pocket rocket’, an Aprilia 250 cc 2 stroke or many well known Hua Hin personalities that you didn’t know were so into motorbikes!
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT AT TT#6?
- The gates open at 7.00 AM with all bikes needing a technical inspection and riders signing a liability waiver. Prior registration of riders is essential with a 950 THB fee payable.
- Around 60 or more riders will be participating. The riders are ‘rated’ into three categories according to their abilities. The rider decides in which class he (or she) wants to start. Green for novice, Yellow for Intermediate riders and Red for specialists. Any required upgrading or downgrading of the class can be managed during the day.
- A mandatory safety briefing around 08.45 AM when the Chief Marshall explains a few important Track Time rules and gives an introduction to the flags used by marshalls positioned on the track as well as the signals used by riders leaving the track or entering pit lane.
- On the track, each class has 20 min sessions then resting, being debriefed for 40 minutes, before beginning another session.
- The green group begins with an instructor in a blue vest to complete circuits and to understand the layout of the track. Overtaking is not permitted.
- When the track is cleared, the yellow group then leaves pit lane to the start grid where a marshal lets them go on under a green flag. This group has also an instructor in a blue vest for the first laps of the day before the group and the instructor decide how they will proceed for the rest of the day sessions.
- The most experienced red class riders then have the same Standard Operating Procedures.
- The end of the Track time sessions is around 4 PM when free riding is allowed for another hour or so under supervision.
- An ambulance with a nurse and driver will be on standby alongside the pit-lane and a hospital only 15 minutes away.
TT#6 promises to be another well organised Track Time Thailand event with organiser John Sinnaeve’s most important message very visible and put into practice in all facets of the event; John really wants to stress “SAFETY IS A PRIORITY!”
Please note that message includes complying with Covid-safe requirements; please bring and wear a facemask, keep to distancing requirements and use the hand washing facilities available.
TRACK TIME THAILAND TT#6
WHEN: Sunday 13th June pre-registered riders from 6.45 AM; first riders on track at 9 AM.
WHERE: Kaeng Krachan Circuit; about 67 kilometres, one hour’s drive north of Hua Hin
COST: Spectators free, rider registration 950 THB.
To understand more with location details visit www.tracktimethailand.org
Email ride@tracktimethailand.org
PHOTO CREDIT: Foto’s by Patrick Jacobs
