Pattaya Mail - Pattaya's First English Language Newspaper

by Dr. Iain Corness

Wet and wild at Bira

The first round of the Thailand Grand Touring Car (TGTC) meeting was held at Bira two weekends ago with some drivers not mastering the wet conditions. Several cars were damaged, a couple extensively, as can be seen in the photo of this Touring car.

In the premier class, the Sport Grand Champion, one of the visiting American drivers crash tested his one at the end of the straight but was able to step out of the car in one piece, even though the race car was extensively damaged.

In the 30 lap main race it had been raining just before the start, but Kajohnsak Saksirivejkul in the 01 car decided to change from wet weather tyres to slicks with 3 minutes to go before the green light. Some fast work by the crew got him away on time and the superior grip afforded by the slicks on the by now only slightly damp track saw him streak away to a very commanding lead. Unfortunately his car developed an electrical misfire and two trips to the pits ended his chances.

The winners are congratulated by Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat.

The Safety Car had to be called out for three laps while they retrieved one car which was half beached in the gravel traps and half on the racing line. This allowed the field to bunch up again, but at the resumption of racing, Piti Bhirombakdi was unable to pass the leader Wuthikorn Intharapuwasak, with the two of them crossing the line almost side by side. Wuthikorn had come up through the ranks of the Concept 1 series, which he had won in the year 2000 season. Third was Tanawud Bhirombakdi, the winner of the Sport Grand Champion class last year.

Battle of the Babes

The Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS) which will be here in August this year, is promoting a beauty contest to go with the travelling event, and the organizers in Malaysia sent me some information. Unfortunately it is apparently only open to Malaysian entries which is a shame as I am more than confident that some of the local brolly dollies would do well. If you don’t believe me look at the Sizzler ladies here!

Miss AFOS has been established to find bright, fresh faced talents and the organizers are looking for the ‘X-Factor’ and attitude to meet our sponsor’s demand should they choose to select an ambassador. Along with looks, the organizer will be seeking girls with a positive and outgoing image to represent AFOS and its partners in a positive manner. Girls must be aged from 18-26 years old and will be required to be proficient in at least two languages. That would be no problem for ours who all speak two languages - Thai and Lao!

The titles up for grabs (metaphorically speaking) are

1. Miss Trendy
2. Miss Crowning Glory
3. Miss Natural Beauty
4. Miss Beautiful Legs
5. Miss Body Beautiful
6. Miss Photogenic

Lekky Bikes

The same Paul Markham also sent me some pix of the new Ecolux and some interesting details on where they are being sent. Hurricane E Bikes are now in use in UK with Hyde Park police, British Airports Authority Heathrow and Aberdeen Fire Department as well as Ken Livingstone, the Lord Mayor of London Office, plus the Royal Palace in Thailand.

The new bike, which is produced by a local (Thai) company bears a more than passing similarity to the Mercedes E-bike but is a fraction of the price.

Rob Walker and Prince Bira

The former racer and team owner, Rob Walker, has just died aged 84. Rob Walker was above all else, a gentleman. One of the heirs to the Johnnie Walker whisky fortune he never had a “real job” and even in his passport he had entered his occupation as “gentleman”. Ah, what a shame those days have gone!

In 1939 he competed at Le Mans, coming 8th in the ex-Bira Delahaye. In those days, long before triple layer Nomex race suits, Rob Walker competed in a dark blue pinstriped suit and tie as befitted a gentleman at dinner. Well, after all, he was doing the 8 p.m. shift!

Another great “character” has passed on to the great race track in the sky. Next time you have a “Black coke” say a little thank you to Rob Walker for making the history of motor sport so colourful.

Hong Kong racers at Bira this weekend

The Hong Kong Racing Association are having one of their “overseas” meetings this weekend at the Bira Circuit. Those drivers who want to run at the Macau GP in November have to show that they have had “international” experience, hence the trip. The meeting is not publicized, nor are there any local cars involved - it’s a Hongkers only day, but if you’re doing nothing it could be worthwhile stepping out to Bira, Highway 36 Km 14 heading to Rayong from the International School of the Regents.

Autotrivia Quiz

Last week I wrote about this car. It was shown at the motor shows in 1992 and was designed by a gentleman in his mid 80’s. It had a VW engine and steered by both front and rear wheels. A GRP body clothed it and I asked what was its name?

It was called the Ellipsis and was built by Philippe Charbonneaux, a French industrial designer. It was powered by a VW engine and its selling point was that it was very safe in accidents because of its pointed ends, making it slide away from impacts. To this day, nobody has ever seen it mobile under its own power, but who cares! Another wonderful piece of Autotrivia.

And so to this week. Look at this little British beauty. It even has the Union Jack on the grille mesh. It had a GRP body and was designed by Peter Kirwan-Taylor, the stylist for the wonderful Lotus Elite, one of the prettiest cars of all time. In five years, they actually managed to sell 207 of them to the British public. So, what was it, and what was the connection to France?

For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct answer to fax 038 427 596 or email [email protected]

Good luck!

Want a Jag F1 engine?

The Jaguar F1 cars and the Arrows both have the same engines - the Cosworth F1 (a division of Ford Motor Company). While neither team has covered itself in glory (with Jag, read “gory”) the engines are said to be reasonable units. When you opt to have these engines, you actually do not get to OWN the engines - you are only leasing them from Cosworth. Emmachizzit? $22.6 million for the year, thank you sir, the receipt’s in the mail.

Cosworth have said they would be prepared to supply three teams next year and there has been some paddock chatter that Minardi might be lining up for a couple. However, remember that Minardi have Asia-Tech engines out of Malaysia, with their principal sponsors also being Malaysian. Do you think they will turn their backs on all that lovely Ringit? No way. The team most likely to be knocking on Cosworth’s door is Jordan. They have been having an abysmal season this year and the word around the traps is that Fred Honda and Co will only be supplying BAR next season, leaving Eddie Jordan out in the cold. Put your money on a Jordan Cosworth for next year.Want a Jag F1 engine?

Chinese lekky car

There is a thriving auto industry in China, even though you don’t get to hear much about it in the western world. With the billions of people they have in China, there’s a big enough marketplace, and as the rank and file start getting some money, there will be a veritable auto explosion over there in Beijing.

They are also looking at the alternative propulsion systems and these “exclusive” shots came from my old mate Paul Markham, the manufacturer of the Ecolux bicycle that I used in the Charity Bike Ride last year.

Electric car

This particular vehicle runs sealed lead acid batteries and can cover 180 kays between charges. While that doesn’t sound bad, it does mean that the car is a city runner only - you couldn’t even get to Bangers and back. The other problem with the sealed lead acid battery powered vehicles is the weight of the batteries. Stunningly heavy and makes for acceleration times measured with a calendar and not a stopwatch. However, the message is clear. China is quietly coming on stream, so don’t think you won’t see Chinese cars for sale in Thailand - you will, and sooner, rather than later!