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Another road-racing circuit is set to open later this year near Khao Yai National Park in Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima.
Called Bonanza Circuit, it will be the fourth of its kind in Thailand after Kaeng Krachan Racing Circuit in Phetchaburi, Bira International Race Circuit in Chon Buri, and Thailand Racing Circuit in Nakhon Pathom.
Sources say the track, about 3km long, will be the longest in the country and, like the one in Kaeng Krachan, play host to local rather than international events.
Still under construction, as seen in these photos taken earlier this month, it nestles in a scenic valley in the embrace of Bonanza Resort from which the track derives its name.
One Thai motorsport official says that it remains to be seen whether the track will be big enough and adequately equipped to fit in regional engagements.
The owner hopes to open the track ‘soon’.
"Aspects like run-off areas and facilities play a key role in deciding that," said the official. "But it's highly likely that the owner is fond of speed and merely wants to have a place to race cars."
Bonanza, it is claimed, is better placed than the one in Kaeng Krachan at attracting driving clubs whose membership includes affluent motorists, some of whom own upmarket resorts, private mansions or vineyards in its vicinity and, besides, Khao Yai is only a 90-minute drive from Bangkok.
Bonanza's owner could chose to promote racing the same time it holds its annual music festival - towards the end of each year - when the weather turns cool.
The circuit in Kaeng Krachan, set up by two veteran Thai racing drivers last year, hosted a round of the 2009 Honda Jazz One Make Race and attracted car clubs like Porsche.
So far the Bira Circuit is the only one in Thailand to have staged regional events. Sadly, it hasn't progressed beyond that to world-class competitions due largely to its aging facilities, a short track and minimal run-off areas, despite sitting next to a world-famous beach resort.