MotoGP: Thailand confirmed on 2018 calendar

Thailand has finally been confirmed as joining the 2018 MotoGP calendar, months after it was first reported to be in discussions with series bosses Dorna about a slot on the upcoming calendar.

Sakon Wannapong, the Governor of Sport Authority of Thailand, and Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna Sports CEO, are set to sign the contract on Thursday 31st August in a ceremony in Bangkok chaired by his excellency General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. Pongpanu Svetarundra, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, will also be in attendance for the historic occasion.

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The race will receive a three-year deal for 2018, 2019 and 2020 at the Buriram circuit, already the home of the Thai round of World Superbikes. It’s also likely that the Phillip Island preseason test will move to Thailand in February.

It marks a pivot towards the huge South Asian market for the series, with the Thai round in the cards for a long time but reportedly delayed between MotoGP series sponsor Singha Beer and the owners of the Buriram circuit Chang Beer.

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