Earlier I reported on the Buriram Driving Range (BDR) and today I just returned from the Buriram Drag Races (BDR). What’s the next BDR?
Anyway, the Brag Bikes was a great event and one that will catch on for sure. If the organizers would just cater better for the spectators. Things such as stands with seating in some shade, and most important, safety! Right now the spectators just stand around the drag strip with absolutely no protection against any eventuality. If one of those bikes went out of control I don’t even want to think what could happen. At an entrance fee of 30 Baht per person, they could do better.
Like I said, it was a great event. It’s amazing the sort of power they can get out of those little 125cc engines. There were timing lights but the crowds were so thick around it that I could not even get a glimpse of the times they did. It looked like the runs were 250m but I could be wrong. More information would also make this a better event. The pits are open and anyone can take a walk around but there is another area which is used for testing. Here just anyone can come along do a run against someone. The problem again here is no safety. The guys doing the runs do so with no helmets or any protective gear. And Lao Kao and Sang Som is sold to anybody thirsty enough.
I think this event is a great idea as it will keep the kids with their fast bikes off the streets and give them some controlled excitement. But it must be controlled if you don’t want to see blood splattered all over the pavement.