The Inter Europol Competition team is leading the Asian Le Mans series after two races. Kuba Smiechowski and Martin Hippe will defend this position in temperatures around 30C, this coming Saturday (12 January) at the circuit of Buriram in Thailand.

The race will start on the second Saturday of the year at a little before midday. On this day it is the Thai Children’s Day or known in Thailand as Wan Dek. There is a Thai saying that states, “Children are the future of the nation, if the children are intelligent, the country will prosperous.” Thai people celebrate Children’s Day by taking their children out to have fun. So the team is looking forward to see many children in the pitlane asking for signatures.

Martin Hippe: “I am really looking forward to the first race in 2019. For me it is unusually early in the year. So far we had a very good Asian season with a win and 2^ndplace. Now we have to hold on to this. I hope we can take another step this weekend to achieve our target and win first another race and hence the series. But it will not be easy with the very high temperatures and the high level of competition.”

Kuba Smiechowski:“I do like this circuit. It’s not easy but challenging and interesting. The heat does not really bother me in the car…. yet. We tested these last two days and it was manageable. We’ll see during the race. But if I suffer, everybody will suffer, unless you are used to these temperatures. So it is the same for all.”

Programme:

Thursday 10 January 2019

14.00 – 16.00  Private practice

Friday 11 January 2019

08.40 – 10.10  Free practice 1

12.30 – 14.00 Free practice 2

17.00 – 17.15  Qualifying

Saturday 12 January 2019

11.45 – 15.45  Race