The world of motor sports starts with go-karting. Champion racing drivers like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso started their careers in go-karting, the stepping stone to more advanced motor sports. Although an automobile production hub, Thailand has not been too keen on motor sports, one serious drawback being that go-karting was not promoted here.

The person who saw this opportunity and took advantage of it is Christian Gilles, managing director of PTT Speedway go-karting stadium at Bangkok's RCA Plaza.

"Many people in Thailand are interested in motor sports, but none have had the opportunity to experience what it feels like on a track," he says. "Only after trying such a sport can a person decide whether he likes it or not. Otherwise to invest in buying a go-kart and all the other equipment would simply be too expensive."

Originally from France and settled in Thailand for the past four and a half years, Gilles has been an avid go-kart fan since his youth and has raced in the 24-hour Le Mans Karting series, along with competitions in Thailand like the concept-car racing organised by AIM motor-sport.

His passion for the sport inspired him to set up his own business. He picked Thailand as he felt it was the ideal location, as the racing industry here was underdeveloped.

The indoor go-kart track on the 2nd floor of the RCA Plaza building can be configured to form many track designs. Plastic barriers on the sides provide safety and Gilles claims that the likelihood of a go-kart turning over is scant.

The indoor location was chosen so the track could be located within the city. Being indoors also means that the track and its equipment are protected from the weather, allowing customers to drive when it is raining outside - and at night, too, thanks to indoor lighting.

"The main purpose of go-karting is to provide the driver with a racing experience in a controlled environment," Gilles says.

"This experience can then be used to pursue more passions:

go-karting on the national level or maybe entering events like Vios One, or even Formula 3. It doesn't matter if you win or lose on the track. What is important is to

participate. You cannot expect to race for the first time and win."

Go-karting has not yet been fully accepted in Bangkok. Gilles says that more than 50 per cent of his customers are foreigners. He wants more Thais to get involved in the sport to insure the growth of motor sports in the Kingdom. However, he says the proportion of female racers who come to the speedway ranges between 10 and 15 per cent, compared to just one to 2 per cent in Europe.

PTT Speedway has good relations with the organisers of the national championships, and many racers who started driving at the speedway are now competing nationally.

The speedway holds seven events yearly among its own members.

On a more serious scale, it also organises six-hour and 24-hour endurance races. These require racers to form teams and plan out strategy as to when to make pit stops, change drivers and refuel.

"Doing something new and different is always difficult," Gilles says.

"As for the speedway, my intention is to change the mindset of people that go-karting is only for champion racers. It is for all those who like trying something new and like driving."

Gilles has adopted an unusual method to promote go-karting. All of his employees are allowed to drive as much as they want. As a result, all of them are good drivers and can advise customers on how to drive safely and enjoy themselves. It is important that employees know the product they are selling, Gilles says.

PTT Speedway is aimed at people aged from seven to sixty. Basically anyone interested in trying out in go-karts is welcome. The speedway is a good place for young drivers, as safety standards are high and there are special karts designed for children with speed limited to 25kph.

Besides the everyday business of renting go-karts for the track, the speedway also accepts corporate events and parties.

"The corporate events held at the PTT Speedway are by companies that want to expose their employees to new experiences. We also organise endurance races where employees have to form teams and this leads to an exercise in team building," Gilles says.

 He adds that the motor-sport industry in Thailand will grow stronger over the next five years and reach the level it deserves. So, naturally, PTT Speedway has plans for expansion.

Vijo Varghese

The Nation