This is part of my series where I kart across all of Thailand, publishing them in the order I visited them. For more about deciding to do this and how I went out and about and got from place A to B you can read my intro article to the series, I Kart Raced Across the Entire Country of Thailand. Also worth checking for some general safety comments for karting if you’re new to it, as safety is not always priority #1 out there…
Name: Bira International Circuit
Website: http://www.bira.co.th
Facebook: Daam Racing Services – I arranged a private rental through Daam to try out the course. He runs a race team and is frequently at the track.
Location: map
Cost to get there: I had trouble finding taxis who understood where I was trying to go, and was running low on time spent trying to negotiate them vs. actually get where I was going in time. I eventually paid 1200 baht for a guy to bring me out, wait for me to kart, and bring me back. I think Daam was shaking his head at that price but any more time and I would have definitely been a bit late. The guy actually asked for 1500 when dropping me off and I told him no way! I actually had 0 baht, my wallet was empty, in fact I was even a little short on Daam for his ask of the day in the end, which he was ok with and for which I truly am grateful and owe him for the awesome experience. FYI at the start of the video, that is my taxi guy waiting in the chair.
Cost: You may be able to contact Daam and arrange something to try out the track.
Track: The track can be configured in many different ways.
Looks like we were on the full standard 1334.4m length configuration. It doesn’t come out as nicely in my 1hz GPS data in my video, I need to get on the upgrade to 5hz. I have since found an action camera that does provide this level of frequency, although I’ve been unable to pick it up on this trip.
Popularity: Maybe Daam can accommodate you + friends. Else you’ll be lapping or not with whoever else may be there just practicing.
Karts: I used Daam’s rotax. Let me tell you, after having my wheel fall off at Krabi kart, it was rather nice to sit in a personal kart of who is known as one of the top mechanics in Thailand. He checked out the kart each time I brought it in as well. I have driven rotax before and my driving skills are not near the capability they offer, a fact borne out quite evident in my lap times! With their tires they can pull over 1.3g and get up over 70mph. In the video you can see how quickly I get up to my top speeds from other kart videos – just after the first turn into the track and on my warm up lap.
Timing: There’s a GPS, and probably more, capture system that can be seen on the steering wheel. My times? Not so hot… they fell each session, although Daam noted my consistently was not so hot in the last one (I think I was just tired.) My best was a 1:02. Daam noted a class down, the cadet cars, can get a minute… so basically he’s noting I need to step up my game and stop being so slow! He said he pulls 56 second laps, which is quite a bit of ground for me to make up in terms of a kart track! I’d be happy to close half that gap. It takes a lot more guts to go boldly all out in these things and more skill than I can muster at the moment as well.
Overall: Awesome and challenging course, and great fun to take a rotax kart out on it! Totally awesome experience, thanks to Bruce for the tip to contact Daam, and Daam for the rental and an awesome afternoon.
Video: If you click the title on the embedded video, it will open up in youtube and you’ll be able to full screen it.
Other tracks in Thailand:
Phuket
1. Patong Go-Kart Speedway
2. Phuket Kart Speedway (100cc and 125cc 2-strokes)
Hua Hin
3. Go Kart Hua Hin
Chiang Mai
4. Chiang Mai X-Centre Drift Karts
5. Chiangmai Speedkart
Ko Samui
6. Samui Go-Kart
7. EasyKart Samui
Krabi
8. Krabi Kart (420cc and 560cc 4-strokes)
Pattaya
9. EasyKart Pattaya
10. Bira International Circuit (no arrive and drive; rotax rental)
11. Pattaya Kart Speedway
Bangkok
12. MSL Motorsports Land
13. EasyKart Bangkok (RCA)
