The successful bid to host the Air Race 1 World Cup forms a critical part of the country’s strategy to use sport to boost its tourism appeal, it has said.
Thailand will host the top international title in pylon air racing at the U - Tapao Naval Air Base on 17-19 November 2017. This year’s World Cup is expected to be the biggest in the event’s history with more teams competing than in any other international event in the sport.
Last year Thailand became the first country in the history of the Asia Pacific region to hold a pylon air race when it held a test event in preparation for the full World Cup of Air Racing this year.
Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Thailand’s minister of tourism, said: “As a leading global tourist destination, we are always striving for new ways to attract new visitors and this event helps us distinguish Thailand as an ever-changing innovator.
“We are eager to welcome the international fans of this sport to Thailand.”
The Air Race 1 World Cup is the international level of pylon air racing, in which eight planes race directly against each other at speeds of 450kph around a tight 5km circuit at just 10 metres above the ground.
Jeff Zaltman, CEO of Air Race 1, stated: “Last year’s race in Thailand was such a fantastic success, proving that Thailand is a highly reliable sports event host.
“The Thai sports audience is a very enthusiastic and sophisticated fanbase and we look forward to developing our sport with them.”
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