B-Quik ready to rev up in Bangsaen
B-Quik Racing is ready to race back onto the streets of Bangsaen next week (27 June – 2 July) with just a slightly tweaked lineup from our successful Thailand Super Series season opener at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, back in May as we’re pleased to welcome Ian Geekie back onto the driver roster. That means we will be running eight cars, which will be led out by our three strong Audi entry for Henk J. Kiks, Daniel Bilski and Shaun Varney in Super Car GTM Pro.
Bangsaen has proved a very happy hunting ground for B-Quik Racing over the last few seasons highlighted by a three year and eight consecutive race winning streak in Super Car GTM. For the 2017 season however we have refocused our attention on the exciting new Super Car GTM Pro category and emphasising our commitment we have expanded our entry to run three Audi R8 LMS Cup racecars for the first time with Shaun stepping up to drive the additional car alongside Henk and Daniel.
We kicked off 2017 in excellent style at Buriram two months ago with the team collecting no less than five podium finishes from the two Super Car GTM Pro races and with three races on the schedule this week in Bangsaen we will be looking to further improve that podium tally.
The Audi R8 LMS Cup simply isn’t on an equal level with the GT3 cars in the category from Ferrari and Lamborghini or indeed the dazzling Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo – however this tough and unforgiving street circuit brings everyone much closer together and during this week’s 11th edition of the Bangsaen Grand Prix we will be chasing very hard, fighting tooth and nail for every position and looking to get all our drivers onto the podiums. For Shaun though there will be an extra challenge as it will be his first time on this temporary track.
In Super Car GTC we will be back up to full strength as Ian will re-join the team to drive our second Porsche 996 GT3 Cup. Ian of course raced with us for the first time during the rescheduled 10th Anniversary Bangsaen Grand Prix, held back in February, where he acquitted himself very well with two strong points finishes. Other commitments meant he couldn’t join us for the 2017 season opener in Buriram but we’re pleased he’s now back. He knows the Porsche 996 GT3 Cup inside out and this will be his third time at Bangsaen so we expect to see the Australian chasing a podium finish. As usual Attapot Sriprom will drive the other Porsche in Super Car GTC while we will also provide customer support for Thomas Raldorf in our Porsche 997 GT3 Cup.
Finally, as usual, we will enter our pair of Honda Brios in Super Eco for Narin Naeosathon and Sathaporn Veerachue; the young pair are kicking off their second year in the entry level category in these little machines and with prior experience of racing at Bangsaen back in February to call upon we expect them to be making further progress and chasing podium finishes.
Henk J. Kiks: “We had a great start to the year in Buriram with myself, Daniel and Shaun all getting onto the GTM Pro podium and the new category looks to be able to offer an exciting future for Super Car, we’re pleased to be part of it and will push to see it grow. We simply can’t shoot for the overall wins as it stands in the power stakes but the Bangsaen Street Circuit offers drivers a lot more opportunity and we will all be gunning hard to repeat that podium haul. With three races on the programme over the weekend there is a lot of opportunity to push for strong results.”
Daniel Bilski: “The next round of TSS is just around the corner, and I can’t wait! With three races next weekend, it’s a critical weekend for the championship. Leaving Buriram in P2 overall in the championship standings was a great start to the season, and a nice confidence boost for me, but I know the quality of our competition means the fight for points will be intense. Bangsaen is a very unique circuit and it’s awesome to race there. Given it’s a street circuit and by the sea, comparisons to Macau and Monaco are on point. You need absolute confidence in the car, your abilities and your team, to do well there. It’s a fine balance between all-out attack, and having a smooth flow, to get a good lap time. It will be only my second time at Bangsaen, so I know I have more performance to unlock.”
Shaun Varney: “I’m really looking forward to round two at Bangsaen in the B-Quick Audi R8. We had an issue with a sensor costing us horsepower at Buriram but the team has worked hard and found the problem. We should have a competitive car for this round, it will be a case of learning the track and getting up to speed as quickly as possible. Hopefully we can repeat our performance in race one and have all three cars on the podium!”
Attapot Sriprom: “I’m looking forward to racing again. The technicians and I have analysed the last races at Bangsaen and we have worked together to improve my driving and prepare the car for upcoming races. Last season I finished on podium in Bangsaen so I expect to get a good result again and I will do my best.”
Ian Ross Geekie: “Following my Bangsaen Street race debut in February this year I am really looking forward to returning to this fantastic venue again. It is great to be a part of the B Quik Racing Team and I am very grateful to Henk and the team for the opportunity.”