Schaeffler’s Success in Thailand Motorsport and Further Support on a Larger Scale

2022-03-08 | Chonburi | Singapore

• Schaeffler continue to be the main title sponsor and official battery partner of Toyo Tires Schaeffler Racing Car Thailand 2022
• "Schaeffler Thailand Racing Team" winning second place of Thailand's "Isuzu One Make Race 2021” championship

Schaeffler Manufacturing (Thailand) Co. has confirmed its participation in Thailand motorsport for the second year in a row and will continue to be the main title sponsor of Toyo Tires Schaeffler Racing Car Thailand 2022.

On 3 March 2022, Schaeffler participated in the flag off event for the new season of Toyo Tires Schaeffler Racing Car Thailand at Isuzu Tri Petch Sales office, headquartered in Bangkok. Schaeffler’s renewed participation comes after a successful season as the main title sponsor of Toyo Tires Schaeffler Racing Car Thailand 2021, with "To Kang" Wuttipat Khongkrittiphong who led the "Schaeffler Thailand Racing Team" and made history by winning second place of Thailand's "Isuzu One Make Race 2021” championship. During the last race on 5-6 February 2022, Schaeffler TruPower battery was also introduced to the audience as proof of its quality on the racetrack before its launch on the market for Thai consumers.

The launch of Schaeffler TruPower batteries after the last race on 5 -6 February 2022 was well-received in the market. Schaeffler will be the official battery partner for Toyo Tires Schaeffler Racing Car Thailand 2022. To demonstrate the products’ high-quality performance, Schaeffler will sponsor 40 Schaeffler TruPower batteries which will be installed in participating racing cars for the 1st race of Toyo Tires Schaeffler Isuzu One Make Race 1.9 and 3.0 on 26 March 2022. For the subsequent races of the season, racing cars participating in Toyo Tires Schaeffler Isuzu One Make Race 1.9 and 3.0 will continue to use Schaeffler TruPower batteries.

Schaeffler Manufacturing (Thailand) Co. ventured into the Thai motorsport industry for the first time by partnering with FAEAST United Motorsport Co., Ltd. to be the main sponsor of "Toyo Tires Schaeffler Racing Car Thailand 2021", which has a total of 6 racing series throughout the year.

Mr. Micah Shepard, President of Southeast Asia and Automotive Aftermarket Asia Pacific, shared: “Motorsport is Schaeffler's challenge and motivation. We are a technology and innovation partner in many racing fields such as powertrains and internal combustion engines in DTM, next-generation hydrogen-powered cars and being part of Toyo Tires Schaeffler Racing Car Thailand 2021 is an important step for Schaeffler to create a world-class motorsport experience for Thai fans to enjoy. We are ready to continue this success in 2022 as well.”

Mr. Harry Vuylsteke, Director of Automotive Aftermarket Southeast Asia said: “Thailand has been an important market and production base for Schaeffler for a long time. We have spent years studying and understanding this market and motorsport is very popular, to participating in Toyo Tires Schaeffler Racing Car Thailand 2021 and establishing Schaeffler Thailand Racing Team to introduce our products to motorsport industry. At the same time, we also use the racetrack as a platform for developing and researching on Schaeffler's products before they are exported for Thai consumers such as installing Schaeffler TruPower Battery in the racing car of "Tokang" Wuttipat Khongkrittiphong to compete in the last race. And winning both races is a very important step for Schaeffler in the Thai motorsport industry.”

Moreover, the "Schaeffler Thailand Racing Team" was launched to compete in the Toyo Tires Schaeffler Isuzu One-Make Race 1.9 and 3.0 with "Tokang" Wuttipat Kongkritiphong, the professional Thai driver who has achieved great successes for the team. "Tokang" Wuttipat won the annual championship title for Toyo Tires Schaeffler Isuzu One-Make Race 1.9 (Division 2) and was the overall 1st runner-up for Toyo Tires Schaeffler Isuzu One-Make Race 1.9.

"Tokang" Wutthiphat started working with Schaeffler Thailand Racing Team for Race 2 before winning 1st place in Toyo Tires Schaeffler Isuzu One Make Race 1.9. "Tokang" Wutthiphat continued to perform well by clinching 2nd place overall in Race 3 for both Toyo Tires Schaeffler Isuzu One Make Race 1.9 and Toyo Tires Schaeffler Isuzu One Make Race 3.0. In Toyo Tires Schaeffler Isuzu One Make Race 1.9 Race 4, 5 and 6, he continued to earn victories for the team by topping the overall ranks. He also achieved 4th, 3rd and 7th in overall rankings for Schaeffler Isuzu One Make Race 3.0 Race 4, 5 and 6 respectively. His impressive results made him a strong contender for the championship of the season.

"Tokang" Wuttipat set a record in Toyo Tires Schaeffler Isuzu One-Make Race 1.9 (Division 2) by winning both races in the last round at Chang International Circuit, Buriram Province, leading the team to win the 2021 annual championship title. This reinforces the close partnership and strong support between Schaeffler and Schaeffler Thailand Racing Team bringing both parties mutual success.

“Tokang” Wutthipat said, “It is an honor to work with the Schaeffler Thailand Racing Team. We work together in perfect harmony from the commitment of the team and me which enabled us to successfully win the annual championship title.”

With the pleasant success in its first experience with the Thai motorsport industry, Schaeffler is preparing to provide further support for the larger projects such as delivering products to the racetrack for research and development purposes to the benefit of Thai consumers in the future. Schaeffler also aims to continue providing excitement to Thai speed fans through its continued efforts in the motorsport industry.