MAKING HIS F1 MARK IN THAILAND

Plans for a Formula One circuit in Thailand are racing ahead with Bahrain-based motoring consultant Mark Hughes at the helm.

Located in Buriram, approximately 410km north of Bangkok, the 4.7km track will be the first FIA Grade 1 and Federation of International Motorcycling (FIM) Grade A circuit in the country.

The construction of the project, worth about $25 million, started 18-months-ago and is due for completion by the end of September.

Hughes, 42, the founder and managing director of Mrk1 Consulting, a Bahrain-based company that assists in guiding the operations of sporting venues and major events, has signed an exclusive 12-month agreement with Buriram International Circuit (BRIC) to steer it in the right direction.

Hughes said: “It’s all moving forward very quickly and I am excited about this. I love what I do, being involved in circuits that are still in the construction phase, because it gives me a chance to tweak them and make them better operationally and commercially.

“As well as placing an experienced circuit manager within the Buriram team, we will also be guiding them on track and event management, commercialisation and operational efficiencies.
“One of our key strengths at Mrk1 Consulting is knowledge transfer and it is something we excel at in markets that don’t necessarily have the international experience required at this time.”

Hughes was once the operations manager for Brands Hatch Circuit in the UK and the operations director at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC). He was back at the BIC for the 2014 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix as a racing enthusiast helping as a steward for the 2014 Porsche Supercup event.

He spent nearly six years in Bahrain establishing the BIC’s core operations team, budgets and procedures as well as developing all its corporate and retail products.
 
Eventually, Hughes moved on to help prepare the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi for its inaugural Formula One race in 2009 before moving to India.

As vice president operations for Jaypee Sports International Ltd, he was responsible for finalising the design, overseeing the construction and developing the operational planning for the Buddh International Circuit in New Delhi.

In December 2010, Hughes was coaxed back to Yas Marina Circuit as operations director with a specific role to control spiralling costs, streamline the operation as well as to recruit and train national staff to take on senior roles.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the field, he started his own consultancy firm in Seef and continues to assist start-up facilities around the world including in Primring Circuit in Vladivostok in Russia and Zhe Jiang International Circuit in China which is set for completion in 2016.

Hughes said: “The developing markets are very much into their cars so a lot will do it because they want to drive their road cars in a safe environment. The quality of the public roads isn’t always good but people have these fantastic cars and they just want some place to drive it.

“The track in China is predominantly going to be a members club rather than being a public track while the one in Thailand is very much a public venue.”

Hughes had given the BRIC team a tour of the Yas Marina Circuit and had been keeping in touch ever since.

BRIC president and owner, Newin Chidchob, is thrilled to be working with him and his team on this project. Mr Chidchob said: “Mrk1 Consulting is a respected and renowned operator of circuits at all levels and, more importantly, in new and emerging markets.

“We are delighted that Mrk1 Consulting will be placing an experienced circuit manager with us for the foreseeable future and that Mr Hughes will be on hand to steer us through the next 12-months of operation.”

The wealthy sports-loving businessman and politician owns one of Thailand’s leading football clubs, Buriram United. The circuit will be located near the entrepreneur’s 32,600-capacity soccer stadium.

“Mr Chidchob has taken soccer to new highs in the country and I see no reason why he won’t do the same with motorsport which he has always been passionate about,’ said Mr Hughes.
“I wouldn’t rule out if he even had his own racing team because he is a very dynamic enthusiastic individual.

“He is very hands on. He is at the construction site every day, taking to the teams and makes sure the progress is happening and he is a great guy to work with.

“Buriram is also an incredible brand and has a passionate following across the country and globally,” said Hughes.

The BRIC will also be situated near a boutique hotel, a community sporting facilities and a newly opened shooting range. The circuit will also have a motocross track, drag strip, plus a dynamic and wet handling track.

The asphalt will be laid out in May and the FIA, who are the governing body for motorsports, will hold a track inspection at the end of that month.

Currently 60 per cent completed it is being designed by renowned German engineer and auto racer Hermann Tilke, whose company designed the BIC and Yas Marina.

The track will be opened in October with the 2014 Autobacs Super GT Series, which according to Mr Chidchob, will be a major boost to Buriram’s tourism, his hometown, and will bring fame to the country by putting Thailand on the motor sports map.

Meanwhile, when Mr Hughes isn’t busy setting up circuits, he spends his days at home in Janabiyah with his wife, Suzie Parker, the former events manager for the BIC, and their three-year-old son, Charlie.

For further details visit www.bric.co.th.