Thai racer Tin Sritrai will join the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) for his home event in Thailand later this month, taking the wheel of a third Campos Racing Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1.
Sritrai will become the first-ever Thai racer to compete in the WTCC, as the championship also makes its first foray into the country at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram.
Having raced in karts and single-seaters previously, Sritrai is keen to forge a long-term career in the WTCC, having won both of the WTCC-supporting Touring Car Series in Asia by IMSP races at the Twin Ring Motegi in September.
“I am so happy to get this incredible opportunity to graduate to the WTCC for my home race,” said 26-year-old Sritrai. “It’s a really big chance to learn from the best and I cannot wait to get my first experience of my Campos Chevrolet in front of my home fans.
“I am well aware of the enormity of the challenge but I will do my best to build my knowledge in the hope that I can race in the WTCC full time in the future.”
Sritrai takes the wheel of Campos’ third car, which has already been used this season to support drivers of local interest, including Mat O’Homola making his début at the Slovakiaring.
WTCC General Manager François Ribeiro welcomed Sritrai to the WTCC, where he hopes the local driver will boost interest in the championship.
“We’re really pleased to welcome Tin Sritrai to the FIA World Touring Car Championship, particularly for the WTCC’s first appearance in Thailand at the Chang International Circuit,” said Ribeiro. “Tin demonstrated his potential with two-support race wins at Twin Ring Motegi and his participation in WTCC Race of Thailand will only help to boost attendances and create interest among the Thai people and media.
“By joining Campos, Tin will work with an experienced team with a proven track record of bringing on young drivers.”
Sritrai raced in karts around the world in his youth, before he moved to Formula Renault single-seaters for 2010. The following year he raced in the Formula Pilota China series, enjoying a strong season, before calling time on single-seaters and moving into touring car racing.
In 2012 he won the first of three consecutive Touring Car Series in Asia by IMSP titles, with a fourth looking likely in the current season of racing.