Thrills and spills are afoot at the Chang International Circuit this weekend. Qualifying on Saturday, in preparation for the serious business of racing taking place on Sunday, threw a couple of fast curve balls  to the riders. 

During qualifying day of the Thai National Superbike Championships in Buriram, The Buriram Times reporters followed the fortunes of the SRRUN RACING Team from Pattaya.

21 year old rider Ben Fortt, riding for the Pattaya based team, was runner up in the 2014 Pro 600 Super Sport Championship and has now progressed to the Honda CBR 1000 Super Bikes.

Ben’s website ben40racing.com will keep you up to date on his short yet glittering racing career. The team’s manager is none other than Ben’s father Keith. The team boasts an impressive list of sponsors which bodes well for the future of this rapidly emerging team.

Sponsors on Full Display

Keith Fortt is also well regarded in Pattaya as the owner of the very popular Caddy Shack Restaurant and guest house.

As qualifying time came for the team, the heavens opened . All the teams had to hastily change to wet tyres as the clock ticked away.

Last Minute Tyre Changes

By the second session all bikes were out on the track but conditions were treacherous. Ben had fought his way up to P 6 when the session was red flagged as one of the other riders had come off on the last bend at the start of the home straight.

With just over 4 minutes remaining on the clock it left barely enough time for the riders to get in one last  lap. 

Ben Going Out For One Last Lap

Ben did not let us down and took another 2 seconds off his time moving him to P 4, only a few tenths of a second behind the guys in front.

This puts team SRRUN Racing in a strong position and well able to mount a challenge in tomorrow’s race. We can look forward to a thrilling competition at Buriram’s Chang International Circuit this Sunday.