Familiarity breeds confidence for Thitpong

The 29-year-old from Chonburi is one of the four Thais to carry the national flag into the Kingdom’s first ever MotoGP due between 5-7 in Buriram. The other three are Honda’s Nakarin Athiratphuwapat and two wildcard holders – Somkiat Chantra of Honda and Yamaha’s Apiwat Wongthananon – who will compete in Moto3.
For Thitikorn the race represents a return to Moto2 for the first time in two years after he changed his focus to compete in Asia.
“I got a call from the SAG Racing Team asking if I would be interested in competing in Moto2. I jumped at the opportunity because it’s always my dream to compete in such a big event, especially when it’s held for the first time at home,” said Thitikorn, whose best Moto2 finish was 18th in Indianapolis three years ago.

“To be honest, it’s a world-class event and is very difficult. My goal is to win a point [by finishing in the top 15] as I have never done that before after two years of trying," added the local racer who just returned from the All Japan Race in Okayama where he finished eighth in the JSB1000 event. “I came close to getting a point several times but I would have clashes first.”
Due to familiarity with the home circuit and support from local fans, Thitipong will aim for his first top-15 finish. He has happy memories of the Chang circuit, having won the Asian Road Racing Championship Circuit 1 and finished fifth in the World Superbike Supersport 600cc race there earlier this year.
“Obviously this is my most familiar venue. I know techniques and tips how to perform well there but it’s still not easy as all riders are highly talented,” Thitipong added.
Thitipong will enter the competition under SAG Racing team of Spain through a quota offered by PTT Lubricants, one of the subsidiaries of parent company and title sponsor PTT.