Motorbike racing action is set to return to Phnom Penh next month with the 3rd Kara Cup Race event planned for March 17-18 on a new circuit at the Morodok Techo National Sport Complex, with professional racers from four countries set to participate.

“I expect this edition will be even more successful because motor racing is becoming more popular, particularly among teenagers,” Kampuchea Autosport Racing Agency (Kara) general manager and Kara Cup Race head organiser Pov Techleng said.

With support from the Automobile Association of Cambodia, Kara has already organised two such track racing events in 2016 on Koh Pich and last year in Battambang province, with the two-wheel racing action growing in spectator numbers – the first and second Kara Cups attracted 5,000 and 7,000 spectators respectively.

There are five classes planned for this year’s burnout, Class A for bikes above 150cc, Class B for machines between 130cc and 150cc, the 125cc Class C, and 110cc to 125cc Class D, with Class E for endurance bikes.

According to Techleng, the third edition will bring together professional racers from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, but the specific numbers of racers is not yet known.

One of the main goals of organising such an event, Techleng said, is that “we want to strengthen Cambodia competitors’ abilities and we want them to more clearly understand racing rules and regulations so they can participate on the international stage”.

Already with its first phase completed, the Morodok Techo National Sport Complex is to be the centrepiece when Cambodia hosts the 2023 SEA Games.