Bira Circuit

Bira Circuit is a motor racing track in Thailand, located in 111 Moo 5 Banglamung, Chonburi, 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Pattaya. The circuit is located on State Highway 36 which is 120 km (75 mi) from Bangkok and 20-kilometre (12 mi) from the CBD of Pattaya.[1]

Bira Circuit
LocationPattaya, Thailand
Time zoneUTC+07:00
Thai Standard Time
Coordinates12°55′17″N 101°0′33″E
Capacity30,000
Broke ground1985
Opened26 April 1986 (1986-04-26)
Major eventsFormer:
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (2003–2005)
ATCS (2000–2006, 2008–2009)
Formula BMW Asia (2003–2006)
Full Circuit (1986–present)
Length2.410 km (1.498 miles)
Turns11
Race lap record1:01.569 (Australia Michael Patrizi, Mygale FB02, 2005, Formula BMW)

The venue is named after first Thai Formula 1 racing driver, Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh. The circuit has been operated by Bira Circuit One Company, Limited. The track, initially opened in 1986, covers an area of 65 acres (260,000 m2). It is a 2.410 km (1.498 mi) permanent motor and motorbike racing circuit with an offroad track, a rally stage and a go-kart facility.

The circuit is twisty and bumpy and consists of elevation and two chicanes, a fast downhill double apex corner.[2] There are 30 pits for racecars, plus a control tower, medical center and meeting room. The grandstand and spectator area can accommodate up to 100,000 people.[3] It is also the first circuit in Thailand that meets the standard of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (F.I.A.). The South East Asia Touring Car Zone Challenge (SEATCZC) has been run at Bira Circuit since 1992 and the Asian Formula 2000 (AF2000) since 1997. The Circuit has full facilities for arranging all kinds of motorsport events; race meeting, racing school, test drives, etc.[4]

On the straights of Bira's go-kart track speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph) can be achieved depending on the weather conditions. In order to meet Commission Internationale de Karting's standard, the go-kart track was overhauled in 2006.[1]

Lap records

As of September 2016, the fastest official race lap records at the Bira Circuit are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Full Circuit: 2.410 km (1986–present)
Formula BMW1:01.569[5]Michael PatriziMygale FB022005 Bira Formula BMW Asia round
TCR Touring Car1:04.669[6]Jack LemvardSEAT León Cup Racer[7]2016 Bira TCR Thailand round
Super 20001:07.761[8]Charoensukawattana NattavudePeugeot 306 GTi2001 Bira ATCS round

References
  1. "Welcome to Bira Circuit -- The Home of Pure Racing Excitement". bira.co.th. 2007. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  2. "Bira Circuit, Thailand". afos.com. 2005. Archived from the original on 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
  3. "Circuit Details for Bira". meritusracing.com. 2009. Archived from the original on 2006-02-19. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
  4. "Bira Circuit Co., Ltd". grandprixgroup.com. 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-04-26. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
  5. "2005 Formula BMW Asia - Round 5 - Bira - Race". 12 June 2005. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  6. "2016 Thailand Super Series Round 5-6 >> TCR Thailand - Official Race 7 Result". 7 September 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  7. "Jack Lemvard - Driver Database". Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  8. "2001 Asian Touring Car Championship Bira Circuit, Thailand 26th August, Round 5, Round 1, Race 2". Retrieved 14 January 2023.
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