Chang International Circuit – Buriram Thailand Racing Guide
Originally published October 2016. Last updated October 2026: expanded Tier B circuit guide, facts table, table of contents, internal links, FAQ schema, and editorial refresh while preserving legacy images and story.
Chang International Circuit is a 4.554 km permanent road course in Buriram Province, north-east Thailand, and the country’s only FIA Grade 1 motorsport facility. Opened in October 2014, the clockwise Tilke layout was built to attract international touring cars, GT racing, and motorcycle world championships to a region better known for temples and rice fields than racing.
The circuit matters because it gave Thailand a modern alternative to the ageing Bira Circuit near Bangkok. Politician and businessman Newin Chidchob financed the project, floodlights allow night racing, and grandstands seat roughly 50,000 fans with sight lines across most of the lap.
Contents
Chang International Circuit facts
| Location | Buriram Province (Isan), north-east Thailand |
|---|---|
| Circuit type | Permanent road course (clockwise) |
| Opened | October 2014 |
| Layout length | 4.554 km (full Grade 1 course) |
| Turns | 12 (full layout) |
| Designer | Hermann Tilke |
| Homologation | FIA Grade 1; FIM Grade A (motorcycles) |
| Capacity | About 100,000 total; main grandstand ~50,000 |
| Main events | Super GT (2014); World Superbike (2015–2019); TCR Asia; Asian Le Mans Series; Thailand Super Series |
| Also known as | Buriram United International Circuit (BRIC) |
Grandstand at Chang International Circuit
Newin Chidchob and the Buriram project
Newin Chidchob promoted Buriram as a tourism and sport hub, pairing the circuit with a football stadium for Buriram United and upgraded regional airports. The goal was straightforward: bring world-class events to Isan so fans did not have to fly to Sepang or Japan for every major race.
Construction finished in time for a headline Super GT weekend in 2014. Organisers reported enormous crowds — well over 100,000 people on site for the opening spectacle — proving demand existed even before Formula 1 announced any interest in Thailand.
Rear of the main grandstand at Buriram
Tilke layout and six configurations
German architect Hermann Tilke designed the full course with two long straights, a mix of medium-speed corners, and runoff that meets Grade 1 standards. The venue also offers shorter club layouts for national categories, though international visitors usually reference the 4.554 km lap.
Garages sit beneath the main grandstand, a layout Tilke has repeated at other Asian venues. Teams work underground while fans watch from above, keeping the paddock compact and sheltered from tropical heat.
Map: Chang International Circuit layout
Night racing and infrastructure
Floodlights around the entire lap allow night racing to FIA standards, rare among circuits in South-East Asia. That helped Superbike and GT promoters schedule television-friendly time slots without forcing fans to endure mid-day heat.
Buriram circuit under floodlights
Major events and championships
After Super GT’s 2014 opener, the calendar expanded to include World Superbike, TCR International Series rounds, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, and Asian Le Mans Series sportscar races. Motorcycle events draw passionate Thai crowds; car races lean on regional GT and touring-car grids.
Concerts and festivals occasionally share the venue, using the same infrastructure that supports racing. The circuit has not hosted a Formula 1 grand prix, but Grade 1 homologation means the facility could theoretically support one if commercial terms aligned.
Super GT race at Chang International Circuit
Lap records and driver feedback
Daiki Sasaki set an early lap record of 1:25.441 during the 2014 Super GT race that opened the circuit. World Superbike riders praised the flowing layout in 2015: fast enough for prototypes, technical enough to punish mistakes, but not as punishing on brakes as some European tracks.
Compare lap characteristics with Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia or Suzuka in Japan when thinking about Asian track families.
Thailand on the Asian racing map
Thailand already had motorcycle grand prix history and club racing at Bira, but Buriram raised the ceiling. The circuit sits roughly 400 km north-east of Bangkok; Buriram Airport offers domestic flights that beat a five-hour drive from the capital.
For regional fans, Chang International Circuit is the natural partner to Bira heritage events and to Malaysia’s Sepang on the Formula 1 calendar. Each venue serves a different generation of Thai motorsport.
Getting to Buriram
The track lies about 10 km south-west of Buriram city centre. Domestic flights from Bangkok to Buriram Airport take roughly an hour; rental cars and taxis cover the final leg to the circuit. Hotels in Buriram fill quickly on major race weekends, so book early.
Chang International Circuit’s next chapter
International calendars shift with promoter budgets, but the infrastructure at Buriram is built for the long term. Grade 1 certification, night lighting, and a 50,000-seat grandstand mean Thailand no longer depends on temporary street circuits to host world-level motorcycle and GT racing.
Related reading
- Bira Circuit — Thailand’s historic venue
- Sepang International Circuit — Malaysian Grand Prix guide
- Suzuka Circuit
- Sportsland Sugo — Japanese national racing hub
Address: 444 Moo 15, Isan, Mueang Buri Ram District, Buri Ram 31000, Thailand
Phone: +66 92 714 2209
Official website: bric.co.th
Frequently asked questions
Where is Chang International Circuit?
Chang International Circuit is in Buriram Province in north-east Thailand (Isan), about 10 km south-west of Buriram city. It is also marketed as Buriram United International Circuit (BRIC).
How long is Chang International Circuit?
The full FIA Grade 1 layout is 4.554 km long with 12 turns, running clockwise.
Who designed Chang International Circuit?
German architect Hermann Tilke designed the circuit. Tilke has also designed many modern Formula 1 tracks including Sepang and components of other Asian venues.
When did Chang International Circuit open?
The circuit opened in October 2014 with a Super GT championship round that drew a reported six-figure crowd to Buriram.
What races are held at Chang International Circuit?
Major events have included Super GT, World Superbike, TCR Asia, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, Asian Le Mans Series, and Thailand Super Series rounds. The calendar varies by year with promoter agreements.
Can Chang International Circuit host Formula 1?
The venue holds FIA Grade 1 homologation, the technical standard required for Formula 1, but hosting a grand prix also requires commercial agreement with Formula One Management. No F1 race has been held at Buriram to date.
Does Chang International Circuit have night racing?
Yes. Floodlights around the lap meet FIA standards for night racing, allowing GT and motorcycle promoters to schedule evening sessions.
How do you get to Chang International Circuit from Bangkok?
Buriram is roughly 400 km from Bangkok. Most visitors fly from Bangkok to Buriram Airport (about one hour) and drive or taxi to the circuit; driving from Bangkok typically takes five hours or more.
What is the lap record at Chang International Circuit?
Daiki Sasaki set an early benchmark of 1:25.441 during the 2014 Super GT race that opened the circuit. Official records vary by series and tyre specification.