http://www.thailand4.com/.auto/2015-04-23/1dc44a8e7865b126e728d3bfab134218/

Automotive Press Releases Thursday April 23, 2015 15:30  

Bangkok–23 Apr–Nissan Motor

Nissan Motor (Thailand) is sending the first Nissan GT Academy Thailand Champion, Mr. Thanaroj “Babe” Thanasitnitikate, 19, to compete in the 2015 Nissan Micra Cup in Canada. This 5-month long racing opportunity will allow Thanaroj to get closer to becoming a professional car racer and a NISMO athlete, and is in line with the Nissan GT Academy’s objectives, as well as matching with Nissan’s brand DNA of “Innovation that excites.” 

According to Mr. Prapat Choeychom, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Nissan Motor (Thailand), in 2014, Nissan introduced the Nissan GT Academy in Thailand, for the first time in ASEAN, to encourage virtual racers of Gran Turismo 6 on PlayStation 3 to win an opportunity to become a NISMO Athlete. This year, in addition to launching Season 2 of Nissan GT Academy, the company would like to take it up another level by supporting the first winner of GT Academy Thailand to reach his ultimate dream, competing in an international racing series, the Nissan Micra Cup 2015, which will be held from May to September 2015 in Quebec, Canada.

“The Nissan Micra Cup, held for the first time in the world by Nissan Canada to make motorsports more accessible among young enthusiasts, uses race-ready versions of the 2015 Nissan Micra, known in Thailand as the Nissan March, which is celebrated for its agility, and fuel efficiency.”

The Nissan Micra Cup 2015 consists of 12 races over the course of six weekends starting in May till September 2015. As part of its development, the Micra Cup race car, based on the Nissan Micra Model Year 2015, has been through an intensive testing process handled by a team of motorsport specialists, and professional racers. The race-ready Nissan Micra is a legitimate race vehicle, complete with the modifications to deliver the upmost in performance, reliability and safety.

The Nissan Micra Cup race vehicles remain equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, 1.6-litre DOHC 4-cylinder engine, churning out 109 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 107 lb-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. Some of the additional racing enhancements include: NISMO S-Tune Suspension Kit, FIA-approved racing seat, 5-point harness, fire extinguisher, and safety cage.

Thanaroj “Babe” Thanasitnitikate, commenting on his preparation for this international competition, said: “I still remember very well all the life-changing moments at the GT Academy International Race Camp at Silverstone, and the learnings from those decisions that led to success and blunders. Today I am very delighted to be given another opportunity to compete as a professional racer in the Nissan Micra Cup, in Canada. During the past weeks I have been training myself for both physical and mental readiness, as well the language capabilities. I will do my best and would like to thank Nissan for their commitment to developing Thai racing talent, a commitment unmatched by any other auto manufacturer in Thailand.”

The first race for the Nissan Micra Cup will take place over three days – May 22-24 – at Circuit Mont-Tremblant, one of the finest and most demanding tracks in Quebec, Canada. This circuit has welcomed many international motorsports events, including the Canadian Grand Prix Formula One.

Nissan Micra Cup 2015 Season Schedule

Race Weekend   Dates               Race Circuit

1             May 22 – 24         Classique de printemps, Circuit Mont-Tremblant

2             June 5 – 7           Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada

3             July 24 – 26         Classique d’été, Circuit Mont-Tremblant

4             July 31 – August 2   Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières

5             August 15           Circuit St-Eustache

6             September 25 -27     Classique d’automne, Circuit Mont-Tremblant