Reiging WorldSSP champion Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) relied on his morning free practice session time to lead the field after the opening day of action at Buriram’s WorldSBK round.
Mahias edged out consistent second session challenger Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha) despite several attempts by the Swiss rider to take the top spot. Krummenacher ended up just 0.034 seconds behind Mahias.
Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) made it two GRT Yamahas in the first three places, while Jules Cluzel (NRT Yamaha) made it four R6 machines in the top four places.
Privateer Anthony West (EAB antwest Racing Kawasaki) and official rider Hikari Okubo (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) broke up the seeming Yamaha dominance in fifth and sixth places respectively. Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was not riding at Buriram, after re-injuring himself in his recent Phillip Island fall, and being advised not to by medical staff.
Malaysia’s Aslan Shah Kamaruzaman (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) took Kenan’s ride and finished 11th today.
Sandro Cortese (Kallio Racing Yamaha) placed seventh in his second WorldSSP event, before the three cylinder riders made their mark in the shape of eighth placed Raffaele De Rosa (MV Agusta Reparto Corse by Vamag) and ninth placed Luke Stapleford (Profile Racing Triumph).
First of the local wildcards was Thitipong Warokorn (Core Kawasaki Thailand Racing Team), in tenth place.
Aussie riders Lachlan Epis (Team GoEleven Kawasaki) and Ted Collins (Team GoEleven Kawasaki) were 23rd and 26th today.
Kyle Smith (GEMAR Team Lorini Honda) was 14th and Irishman Jack Kennedy (Profile Racing Triumph) 16th, despite a small crash.
