Japanese Toyota team aims to turbo-boost Thai motor sports
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Japanese drivers Kazuya Ohshima and Takuto Iguchi from Toyota Corp's Gazoo Racing team have confirmed their Thailand debut in the 2012 Race of Champions (ROC) at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium from December 14 to 16.
During a recent interview with the two drivers at Fuji International Speedway in Japan, Toyota Team Thailand manager Suttipong Smittachartch revealed that the Japanese racing outfit was seeking to expand its footprint in Asia. They chose Thailand as their first target because of its vibrant motor-sports scene.
“Gazoo’s team motto is that cars should mean maximum enjoyment. Making friends in other countries also helps car racers develop,” said team chief Suttipong.
Driver Iguchi is keen to test himself against the best in Bangkok and get fresh racing experience.
“It will be my first time in Thailand and a big challenge for me on a new track. If I get the chance, I want to win,” he said.
However, Suttipong has warned his two drivers that racing in Thailand is very different from Japan.
“Thai and Japanese drivers will feature in more races together in the future. There are several Japan teams interested in racing in Thailand, and I think that will boost the future of motor sport in Thailand,” he said.
The Gazoo racing team arrive in Thailand on December 11 ahead of the ROC at Rajamangala, before joining the Stadium Bang Saen Motor Speed Festival on December 19-23.
The 25th annual Race of Champions brings together the world’s greatest drivers from motor sport’s main disciplines – Formula 1, world rally, touring cars, Le Mans, Indy-car and the X-Games – and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery.
Formula One’s Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button competed in last year’s edition. This year Schumacher is back to defend his title for Germany alongside current F1 champ Vettel.
Elsewhere, Toyota Motor Thailand’s Vitz Thailand racing team suffered in the rain at the Fuji International Speedway last weekend.
Top Thai drivers Alongkorn “Bird” Youngyuen and Dejpol Thongpoon failed to make the top-10 in the Netz Cup Vitz Race Grand Final of the JAF Grand Prix Fuji Sprint Cup for Super GT and Formula Nippon, finishing 29th and 40th respectively.
Alongkorn had only two days practise on the wet track and was satisfied with the outcome.
“I considered it good experience,” he said.
The two drivers qualified for the Japan race by topping the standings at Thailand’s annual Toyota Yaris One Make Race.
