Proposed GP in Thailand has route finalized - MotorSportsTalk

The route for the proposed grand prix in Thailand has been finalized as plans to hold a race in the Asian country begin to gather steam.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has toyed with the idea of taking Formula One to the streets of Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, for many years now, and he confirmed at the end of last season that he was in negotiations to hold a night race there.

Thailand’s sports authority governor Kanokphand Chulakasem confirmed in an interview with the Bangkok Post that the route had now been agreed, suggesting that the race is all set to claim a place on the 2015 calendar.

“As the starting and finishing point would be on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, we may be able to build the main stands in the river,” Chulakasem explained in the interview.

“It would also be convenient for transportation of equipment.

Chulakasem also said that there would be minimal disruption for the race to go ahead.

“Only a small group of residents would be affected by the proposed route.”

Street races often cause great logistical problems, and many believe that this would be the biggest stumbling block for the proposed race in New Jersey, scheduled for 2014.

The layout for the race has met an underwhelming response from the fans though. With few challenges and many ninety degree corners, many will be hoping for the plans to be revised before the 2015 calendar is confirmed.

In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

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