Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Travel to Thailand for Round 17
Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Travel to Thailand for Round 17
Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp‘s Manuel Gonzalez is ready to go full gas again this weekend in Thailand. Kohta Nozane is new to the Chang International Circuit, which he sees as an exciting challenge.
Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp are ready to tackle the final of the three consecutive race weekends. Manuel Gonzalez is full of drive ahead of Sunday‘s Thailand Grand Prix, as he has high hopes of a top score. Kohta Nozane is visiting the Chang International Circuit for the very first time and is already feeling very welcome thanks to the passionate local motorsports fans.
Gonzalez had to be cautious in the Australian GP. The strong gusts of wind and wet conditions made the ultimately red-flagged Moto2 Race a tricky outing. The experience has left the Spaniard craving a ’normal‘ Race in which he can fully push, and he hopes to do so in the upcoming GP in Buriram. Last year, he had a good weekend at the Thai circuit until the very wet Sunday. He is determined to show his true potential here this time round and climb up from 7th in the championship standings.
Rookie Moto2 rider Nozane has never raced at the Chang International Circuit before. However, the Japanese rider arrives here with high confidence after he completed the 9-lap Phillip Island Race in very difficult conditions. Improving every GP weekend, the number-5 rider is keen to show his overall progress. Having done his homework, he hopes to be able to adapt quickly to the Chang circuit‘s layout and enjoy the race weekend to the fullest.
The Chang International Circuit opened in 2014. Only one year later, the FIM Superbike World Championship started racing at the venue, and in 2018 MotoGP made its debut there. The circuit is located about 410 km northeast of the country‘s capital, Bangkok, and close to the town of Buriram. Buriram translates to ’City of Happiness‘, and it delivered. The Thai GP became a big hit with the teams and riders. Many were excited by the Chang track‘s 4.5 km layout, including a 1 km longest straight, and five left and seven right turns.
The Grand Prix of Thailand is held in the GMT +7 time zone. P1 will take place on Friday from 09:50 - 10:30 local track time and P2 from 14:05 - 14:45. On Saturday, P3 will be held from 09:25 - 09:55, and the qualifying sessions from 13:45 - 14:25. On Sunday, the Race starts at 13:15.
Manuel Gonzalez
Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp
"We‘ve come to Thailand. Last year we did a great weekend until the Race, which was wet. I‘m expecting a top weekend also this year because our level is high, and I want to achieve a podium soon."
Kohta Nozane
Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp
"It‘s my first time in Buriram, but I studied the layout and I think I‘ll like it. We are ready to try to make another step forward this weekend. I‘m gaining confidence race by race, even if last weekend in Australia the conditions were very particular. I‘ll do my best, supported by my team."
Gelete Nieto
Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp, Sports Director
"After a shortened Race in Australia due to wind and rain, we come to Thailand wanting to do a Race in normal conditions, even though we know that here we can encounter the typical storms of the area.
"Last year in the dry training sessions, Manu showed that he was fast. I think that this year, with more experience, he will be even faster.
"It will be the first time for Kohta in Buriram, and he will need some time to adapt to the new circuit. It will be important for him to find a good feeling quickly. He likes wet conditions, so it could be a good weekend for him!"