Stories > This is the reason we will never organise Gran Turismo Bangkok
This is the reason we will never organise Gran Turismo Bangkok

This is the reason we will never organise Gran Turismo Bangkok

Published 2018-03-01 by Administrator

The idea was epic. As crazy as always. Just like Gran Turismo Polonia was back in 2005. But, on a different continent - Asia. Let’s start from the beginning.

Let's rewind the tape a bit. Back to 2009. When we bought 28 identical Fiat 126p. Yes, the little Polish Fiat. We organised a race. A cannonball style mad dash through Europe with 28 identical small cars. Watch the movie from our Fiat-event here.

We flew 28 teams down to Poznan in Poland. Each team got their own car. The day after, the crazy stuff began. We started together, Le Mans-style from Poland. Whoever got first to Stockholm, Sweden would win. About 1 500 km away. In a car with a top speed of exactly 106 km/h.

We had a lot of laughs. And everybody got a story to tell, that their grandchildren would find hard to believe. Everyone got to keep their Fiat 126p when they arrived.

Now, we had a new and very similar idea - Gran Turismo Bangkok. The idea was to ship 30 supercars from Sweden with a shipping company. From Gothenburg to Singapore. Then we would arrange the road trip of the century. Starting in Singapore, through Malaysia, through Thailand and end in Bangkok. With some serious cars.

The trip would take 12 days, including stops at places like Had Yai, Phuket, Khao Lak and Surat Thani. Everything looked very promising. Back home in Sweden, we contacted the embassies of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

All embassy officials were very surprised when we explained what we wanted to do. There would, of course, be a lot of paperwork to get 30 Swedish Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches across the borders. Things like customs, insurance and so on. It was difficult but in principle very possible. It all looked pretty good. We were very excited, indeed!

Then, as a final check that our plan was good, we contacted Porsche Club Singapore. Let's get a second opinion on our plan. Maybe they hade some good advice. We sent them an e-mail outlining our plan, hoping for a positive and enthusiastic response. The answer we got, was not at all what we expected.

This was their answer:

"We strongly discourage you from going through with this idea. We have tried a similar idea a few years back. Although it started well, it all went straight to hell as soon as we crossed the border to Malaysia. Let us explain what happened:"

The quality of the roads in southern Thailand up to Surat Thani is very poor. 25% of the cars had punctured tires and serious rim damages. Now, imagine trying to find a spare rear tire for a Lamborghini Murcielago in the middle of the jungle.

We brought three Porsche Cayennes, stuffed with spare parts and an army of mechanics. This was not enough. We should have brought more assistance. Perhaps even a helicopter.


All participating cars suffered from windshield damage. Most of them we could repair with duct tape. But, one windshield was so destroyed that we had to remove it altogether. The driver and co-driver had to continue their journey wearing helmets.

The biggest problem was all the stray dogs and monkeys running across the road. Stray dogs and monkeys did not obey traffic laws. Instead, they behaved in the most suicidal ways possible. They got our drivers in accidents - frequently. We had to remove several pieces of monkey from the radiators of our cars.

The worst incident was with a Porsche Turbo. It had three(!) monkeys in the radiator and one in the engine compartment. There were pieces of monkey everywhere. A lot of blood, bones and fur. We spent half a day cleaning the car from all pieces of monkey. Extremely gross. The poor man who opened the hood vomited when he saw all the monkey parts around the engine. The smell of burning flesh that was attached to the manifold and the turbos was unbearable. It was very disgusting.

We strongly discourage you from going through with this event. It might seem like a good idea in theory, but in reality, it is horrible. Out of 33 cars starting in Singapore, only 7 made it to Bangkok. The rest had to be picked up by a trailer and sent back to Singapore. One very unfortunate Ferrari 430 is still somewhere in the jungle. Abandoned by a very angry driver who just could not take it anymore.

The e-mail ended with: "Why don't you arrange a road trip in Europe instead? The roads are much better. There is no problem with spare parts. Most of all - there is no problem with lunatic monkeys on the roads getting run over and sucked into the engine bays. We, Singaporeans, can just dream about the perfect conditions you have for car driving and roads trips in Europe. Why don’t you do a road trip at home instead?"

A very relevant point. And some very useful advise, indeed. We would like to thank Porsche Club Singapore for this. It helped us avoid one of the most epic disasters in motor event organisation - ever.

Thank you. Maybe we should stick to Europe for now.

Coming Events

Gran Turismo Italia
17-24 September 2023
Florence - Maranello - Sirmione - Cortina - Verona
Gran Turismo London
25-26 November 2023
London
Subscribe to our newsletter

The latest news and stories. All the best roads, hotels and restaurants. Invitations to exciting events. Be the first to know by subscribing to our newsletter.

Mondo Gran Turismo

More news and stories from the world of Gran Turismo

Here is why I hate touchscreens
Here is why I hate touchscreens
The trend of big touchscreens in cars is a gigantic problem
The world’s most beautiful roads are in Switzerland
The world’s most beautiful roads are in Switzerland
Here is the holy trinity of Swiss alpine roads.
The legendary Rolls-Royce incident in Sweden in 1986
The legendary Rolls-Royce incident in Sweden in 1986
That time when Rolls-Royce went well out of their way to keep a client happy
Did the Ferrari Museum go too far?
Did the Ferrari Museum go too far?
How the Ferrari Museum coerced Marek to donate his car
Downforce is dark magic
Downforce is dark magic
I lost my downforce virginity recently. Here's how.
A postcard from Rome and The Vatican
A postcard from Rome and The Vatican
On March 23, we did a private tour of the Vatican.
Meet James Holm, our in-house photographer
Meet James Holm, our in-house photographer
Arguably the best automotive photographer in Scandinavia, James has been our event photographer since over a decade.
Houston, we have a massive problem
Houston, we have a massive problem
I love flying. This particular flight though, every pilot's nightmare became my reality.
Porsche is developing a hybrid 911
Porsche is developing a hybrid 911
It will utilize the latest hybrid technologies from the 919 Hybrid
Alfa Romeo is working on a new supercar
Alfa Romeo is working on a new supercar
They are pursuing a new Alfra Romeo tipo 33
Wallypower 118 - the coolest luxury yacht in the world
Wallypower 118 - the coolest luxury yacht in the world
Meet the luxury yacht from the movie "The Island"
Did you know? Rolex was founded in London.
Did you know? Rolex was founded in London.
The story of Rolex goes far beyond luxury watches.
The Ferrari F356 is the best Ferrari you never heard of
The Ferrari F356 is the best Ferrari you never heard of
Over the years, the F356 became one of the most sought-after cars in the world.
Sued by Ferrari because they deserved it
Sued by Ferrari because they deserved it
Guess what? Ferrari will sue you if you use their brand in a malicious way
Mr Bond, you have what the Greeks call thrasos
Mr Bond, you have what the Greeks call thrasos
Why James Bond films are so important.
The bizarre naming convention of Ferrari cars
The bizarre naming convention of Ferrari cars
Have you ever wondered how Ferrari determines the name for their cars?
I have no idea, I just stole the Lotus from a brat at Stureplan
I have no idea, I just stole the Lotus from a brat at Stureplan
The flashing blue light in the rear-view mirror approached at breakneck speed. Then I saw that the police blocked the road.
How to go from zero to owning a Ferrari in just one year
How to go from zero to owning a Ferrari in just one year
Dreaming about a Ferrari? Here is how you can make it happen in just one year.
Why the adorable Fiat 126p is the best car in the world
Why the adorable Fiat 126p is the best car in the world
Forget supercars like Lamborghini and Ferrari. The best car in the world is the Fiat 126p. Bear with us and let us explain.
The best pictures from 2022 - Places 1 to 20
The best pictures from 2022 - Places 1 to 20
As every year, we select the best pictures from the season. Here are places 1 to 20.
Mister Kawasaki and the most expensive chicken wings in the world
Mister Kawasaki and the most expensive chicken wings in the world
When you have unlimited money, amazing things can happen.
Forget the Fiat 500 of the 70s - The Lancia Stratos was really cramped
Forget the Fiat 500 of the 70s - The Lancia Stratos was really cramped
Fifteen years ago, I was the king of SEGA Rally. And the fastest car in the game was the Lancia Stratos.
Here comes the Swedish banker and his disgusting Italian girlfriend
Here comes the Swedish banker and his disgusting Italian girlfriend
Cencio la Parolaccia - The most fun restaurant in Rome.
No good deed shall go unpunished - How a Christmas gift went horribly wrong
No good deed shall go unpunished - How a Christmas gift went horribly wrong
A Christmas gift goes horribly wrong in Stockholm, 20 years ago.
The best pictures from 2022 - Places 21 to 40
The best pictures from 2022 - Places 21 to 40
As every year, we select the best pictures from the season. Here are places 21 to 40.
The best pictures from 2022 - Places 41 to 60
The best pictures from 2022 - Places 41 to 60
As every year, we select the best pictures from the season. Here are places 41 to 60.
I hereby pronounce you dead (he said)
I hereby pronounce you dead (he said)
Mr Andersson had followed our advise and selected "Doctor" when booking flights and hotels. This became a massive problem on the return flight.
The Aventador successor is  due - here is what we know.
The Aventador successor is due - here is what we know.
Here is what we know about the successor to the iconic Lamborghini Aventador.
A look at the Lamborghini Sterrato
A look at the Lamborghini Sterrato
We got a glimpse of the latest Lamborghini, the off-road Huracan Sterrato.
The secret behind a great Olive Oil
The secret behind a great Olive Oil
A great olive oil is simple to make, but hard to find in a store.
How a brand new Ferrari got ruined by a vomiting passenger
How a brand new Ferrari got ruined by a vomiting passenger
This was the work of the Olympic heavyweight champion of in-car puking. A true masterpiece.
A postcard from the most beautiful country in the world
A postcard from the most beautiful country in the world
Here are some pictures from our last driving event in Italy, Gran Turismo Italia.
Greetings from Monaco
Greetings from Monaco
Our annual Gran Turismo Europa-tour ended today. As always, thousands of great pictures were taken. Here is a small selection.
They should have sent a poet. We lack words to describe how beautiful Sardinia is.
They should have sent a poet. We lack words to describe how beautiful Sardinia is.
Here are the best pictures from our 2022 driving event on Sardinia.
Gran Turismo Nurburgring - here are the best pictures from our 2022 event
Gran Turismo Nurburgring - here are the best pictures from our 2022 event
Our annual Nurburgring event took place at the end of May. Here are the best pictures.
Hello from Croatia and Montenegro
Hello from Croatia and Montenegro
Our first big event of the 2022 season was our annual drive on the Adriatic coast. Here are the best pictures from our team of photographers.
A postcard from Paris and The Louvre
A postcard from Paris and The Louvre
It is difficult to describe. We can’t find the words. Being in the most important museum in the world, that hosts Mona Lisa, all by yourself.
Postcard from St Moritz
Postcard from St Moritz
Last week we went to St Moritz and our special event on the Olympia Bobsleigh track.
VIDEO: Happy New Year from Gran Turismo Events!
VIDEO: Happy New Year from Gran Turismo Events!
With this short film we would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Welcome to Gran Turismo and the most beautiful countries in the world in 2022.
The digital nomad’s guide to Montenegro
The digital nomad’s guide to Montenegro
Looking to spend winter far away from the cold north? Here is a personal favourite of mine: Montenegro.
More stories

La Guida - The Supercar Owner's Guide to Europe

Our favourite roads, hotels, restaurants and places to visit

Locanda Lorena
Locanda Lorena
A brilliant seafood restaurant on the island of Palmaria near Portovenere
E65 Magistral - Budva to Bar
E65 Magistral - Budva to Bar
A great coastal road from Budva to Bar
Ristorante Montana
Ristorante Montana
The famous restaurant in Fiorano near Maranello
More locations

Events Calendar

Beautiful road trips and famous racing tracks since 2002. Supercars only.

Gran Turismo Vatican
23-24 March 2023
Rome, Italy
Fully booked
Gran Turismo Adriatica
6-14 May 2023
Slovenia - Croatia - Bosnia - Montenegro
Fully booked
Gran Turismo Nurburgring
29 May - 1 June
Nurburgring, Germany
Fully booked
Gran Turismo Riviera
5-9 June 2023
Forte dei Marmi - Santa Margherita - Monaco - St Tropez
Fully booked
Gran Turismo Sardinia
14-20 June 2023
Sardinia, Italy
Fully booked
Gran Turismo Polonia
6-12 July 2023
Warsaw - Gdansk - Kolobrzeg - Poznan
Gran Turismo Europa
3-10 September 2023
Innsbruck - St Moritz - Andermatt - Monaco - Saint Tropez
Fully booked
Gran Turismo Italia
17-24 September 2023
Florence - Maranello - Sirmione - Cortina - Verona
Gran Turismo Toscana
11-15 October 2023
Florence - Chianti - Grosseto - Lucca - Florence
Gran Turismo London
25-26 November 2023
London
The Drivers Collection
Contact us

While our head offices are in Geneva, Switzerland, the team is spread throughout Europe: Sweden, Poland, Italy and Croatia. Please select the appropriate team member to contact below.

For general enquiries, you can always use info@granturismo.org. For event registrations, please use registry@granturismo.org.

Justyna Weclawiak Justyna Weclawiak
Head of event organisation
+48 509 706 651
Björn Lagercrantz Björn Lagercrantz
CFO
+46 (0)70 844 64 00
Michal Weclawiak Michal Weclawiak
Event coordinator - General
‭+48 602 134 467‬
Chiara Mannucci Chiara Mannucci
Event coordinator - Italy
+39 346 763 22 74
Zdravko Anticic Zdravko Anticic
Event coordinator - Balkans
+385 (0)91 917 32 77
Pietro Bonuccelli Pietro Bonuccelli
Supercar fleet manager
‭+39 349 888 33 89‬
Marcin Jellinek Marcin Jellinek
PR and Media
+48 519 189 081
Joakim Niss Joakim Niss
Head of merchandise
‭+46 (0)70 468 60 75‬
James Holm James Holm
Photography
+46 (0)70 713 71 42
Peter Ternstrom Peter Ternström
Founder
+39 331 332 50 80