Chang International Circuit - Thailand's Prime Racing Destination

Chang International Circuit, or the Buriram United International Circuit, is a permanent racing circuit located in the town of Buriram in Thailand.

Circuit built to meet the highest standards

Newin Chidchob, the wealthy local politician, was the one who had an ambitious project of making top-class venue in the north-east of the country with a wish to make that part of the country more attractive for the tourists and to bring some of the world’s most relevant motorsport events in the rural area.

Grandstand at Chang International Circuit Buriram

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Back of the Grandstand at Buriram

This is one of the newest racing venues in Asia as it was opened in October of 2014. Motorsport is relatively popular in Thailand and the country needed another venue since Bira Circuit was probably the only proper circuit. At the same time, Chang International Circuit propelled Thailand to the international stage of motorsport after it was rated as FIA Grade 1 and FIM Grade A track.

Chang International Circuit is suitable for night racing

The clockwise-run track designed by German architect Hermann Tilke, (who created most of the modern Formula 1 circuits) is 4.554 km long and has (just) 12 turns. Full capacity of the circuit is 100.000 spectators with grandstand which can accommodate 50.000 spectators. Most of the venue could be seen from the grandstand which makes the complete atmosphere even more exciting. Interestingly, the garages are located under the grandstand. The circuit is suitable for the night racing because the floodlights around the track are built to meet the highest FIA standards.

Buriram circuit is suitable for the night races

Map of the Chang International Circuit

Chang International Circuit has six layouts but most of them are designed mainly for the lower ranks of motorsports and some national championships. Major events at Chang International Circuit so far were the World Touring Cars Championship races, Super GT, TCR International Series, as well the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, Asian Le Mans Series and many other. This venue also was the host of some big concerts and other non-racing events.

Map: Chang International Circuit Buriram track layout

Daiki Sasaki currently holds the lap record, which is 1:25.441 . He set that time during the Super GT championship race in 2014. At the same time, that race was the first event at Buriram and it was a real spectacle with the crowd of almost 130.000 people in the stands and around the track.

Praised by the drivers

Generally, all the events are well attended, including the motorcycle races. The World Superbike Championship debuted at Chang International Circuit in March of 2015 and track was hailed by most of the drivers and was described as the fast, challenging, but not too demanding, with two very long straights.

Super GT race at Chang International Circuit, Buriram

However, the circuit in Buriram has everything it takes to be considered as the top motorsports venue but it still needs to attract some really big international series in the foreseeable future in order to establish itself as one of the most important racing spots in Asia.

How to get to Chang International Circuit

The circuit is located 10 km southwest of Buriram and has a small local airport, located 40 minutes drive from the track. Bangkok is around 400 km away from Buriram and you’ll probably need more than five hours by car, so it is better to go by airplane from Bangkok to Buriram.

Even though the accommodation capacities in Buriram are relatively limited, it is possible to find a very good lodging at reasonable and affordable prices.

Address: 444 Moo 15 Buriram Buri Ram 31000, Thailand
Phone: +66 92 714 2209
Website: bric.co.th

Photo: buriramtimes.com bikesrepublic.com plus.google.com absoluteracing.net formulamagazine.blogspot.com 123rf.com

Chang International Circuit Important Info