Talented Superbike rider, 18-year old Ben Fortt from Pattaya won the 2nd round of the SB2 Superbike 1000cc Thailand Championship in fine style last weekend. After Ben crashed out of the 1st round at his local track last month, he and his team and supporters from Pattaya set off for Nakon Chaise just north of Bangkok for the 2nd round of the championship to take on his opponents at their local track.
With 2 days of practice and final adjustments Ben managed to get his lap times down to match the top riders. Once qualifying started Ben went out with a strong determination to get himself as far up the starting grid as possible and that he did with a very professional performance, knocking 2 seconds off his previous personal best and setting the fastest lap of the day with a time of 1.26.35 seconds and to the team’s delight he was on pole position for the race.
Benn Fortt, center, poses with his trophy after winning the second round of the SB2 Superbike 1000cc Thailand Championship at Nakon Chaise racetrack.
On the line up at the start of the race the tension was very high all round and with the race being shown live on TV it was a prolonged start. Once the race got underway all four bikes on the front row were not prepared to give an inch and reaching the first bend all four of them were in a line and Ben came off worst and came out of the first corner in fourth place, but with some true determined riding Fortt worked his way through the field and eventually picked off his rivals to win the race.
Interviewed afterwards, Ben recalled his previous disappointment in crashing out.
“The only thing on my mind was to get over the line 1st today,” he said. “I was really happy with the bike set up today and seemed to be getting plenty of grip, which I would like to thank my team Panadda racing for their expertise in getting the bike prepared to this level. I am very proud to bring the trophy back to Pattaya for my main sponsors CEA Cranes and Equipment Asia.”
The 3rd round of the championship will take place at the Bira International Circuit, just 15km from Pattaya, on the 15th July 2012.
