Dean is an engineer by day, a windsurfer at weekends and a really nice guy. He also likes to tear up 1,000 baht notes and throw them in the rubbish; but that would be silly so instead he goes motor racing. For a while he had his own car; but endless breakdowns, frustrations and the equivalent of tens of thousands of torn up banknotes, dampened his enthusiasm and he sold the car and retired from racing. Then he came back with a hire car, then he retired again.
Then someone imported a two litre Integra, fresh from competing in the Dubai 24 hours. It had nearly 300 horsepower, twice what Dean was used to.
Dean was invited to drive it; but the owner made it clear that any body damage would have to be paid for; and if the engine was damaged due to mishandling of the rather tricky gearbox; then Dean would be liable for a rebuild in the UK, which could cost up to half a million baht. Dean, being a sensible chap, said “yes please”.
As well as 300 horsepower, he got his very own grid girl:
The look on his face before the start indicated he would rather be with the grid girl (or anywhere), rather than being strapped into the beast:
In the race he did OK. Nothing broken or blown up; although the handling went off after he bounced over the kerbs a few times. He will be at it again tomorrow at Bira.
I have plenty more car shots and… what’s that? You’d rather see more grid girls? Oh, OK:
Comments 🔗
2012-06-16| Bob saysAny more shots of girls like the PTT girl above and I might have to come back to Thailand…..
2012-06-16| Spike saysBut then there would be no more of your incomprehensible tweets about baseball….
2012-06-16| Spanky saysI failed to notice the car pictures. I’m sure they were lovely. The ladies are photographic genius.
2012-06-16| Grant saysThank you Uncle Spike, welcome back! Do pop down to the track as often as you like, we won’t mind…
2012-06-17| Spike saysDon’t let the subject matter fool you, the ladies are quickly grabbed snaps.
The only real achievement in the set is the first car shot. There is one point in the track where some of the cars lift a wheel; but it is hard to catch. And you need a slow shutter speed to get the wheels and background blurred, so most of the shots are not clear. I must have taken more than 100 shots of that corner yesterday; and only one worked.
2012-06-17| david saysThe 2nd girl - the first girl in yellow outfit - where did I see her before? Was it on this site, youtube or that german guy from globalnanpa site? Ayone?
2012-06-17| Chang Noi saysDid anyone noticed the cars have numbers but the girls don’t?
2012-06-18| Spike saysUpdate from the driver: “Sunday was not quite so good.
Warm up 10:00, not happy with the car (more likely the driver), slow.
Race 15:00, start OK, getting to feel the car and gaining confidence every lap.
4 cars off at 100R on oil, but race not stopped.
Then engine blew asunder going onto the straight, sheet of flame out the back, then flames in the cockpit, oil everywhere.
Drifted slowly to the tyres, with just a gently kiss, then escaped the car very quickly, and ran away.
Off with the hat, went back to the car, but well alight, then I saw more cars coming.
Tony my team-mate hit the oil, and was then a passenger. I ran away again as he slammed into the back of the DC5.
I went back to see if Tony was OK, then saw another car out if control on the oil, and heading straight for us.
I ran away again!
The other car hit the tyres just behind us, so I then helped Tony out of his car, and away to safety.
Or so I thought, but I saw 2 more cars sliding on the oil straight towards us.
I grabbed Tony and we ran away. Just in time, as both cars slid to a halt just where we had been standing.
Then the marshals started arriving, and used up all their stock of fire extinguishers.
End result, DC5 totally burnt out at the front, and about 1m shorter at the back. Tony’s EP3 0.5m shorter at the front.
Tony has a spare half shell, maybe he can re-build the EP3. The DC5 is more than likely beyond repair.”
2012-06-18| genuinej says“He who drives and runs away…..” If he can find another car.
2012-06-18| Bodlagz saysSure I recognize Dean, is he anything to do with diving ?. Bloody great photos again, the car look okay as well.