MotoGP secures title sponsor for first Thai race

Thai energy company PTT has been named as the title sponsor of the 2018 Thailand Grand Prix, which will mark the country’s debut on the MotoGP motorcycling calendar.

The PTT Thailand Grand Prix will take place from October 5-7 next year.

Thailand was in August confirmed as a new addition to the MotoGP calendar for 2018 after a contract was signed between the Thai government and the series’ commercial rights-holder, Dorna Sports.

Under the agreement, the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, a provincial city in the northeast of the country, will host a grand prix from 2018 to 2020.

Auttapol Rerkpiboon, chief operating officer of the downstream petroleum business group at PTT, said: “PTT supports the government to host MotoGP in order to show the world that we have one of the best motorsport circuits in the world, and that we are able to host a world-class motorsport event as efficiently as other nations.

“PTT and Thais are exceptionally proud to host the Grand Prix and welcome motorsport enthusiasts from all over the world, which will help boost the country’s revenue. This is what the government is trying to achieve.”