Nightfall Mayhem and Maiden Podiums Highlight Buriram 80 Min Thriller

Buriram, 3 July – What began as an 18:15 ICT sunset sprint at Chang International Circuit quickly turned into a floodlit drama fest when safety‑car problems—and a 30‑minute host delay—pushed the 80‑minute HoloType International encounter into nightfall. Once the Oreca 07 grid finally rolled away, fans were treated to edge‑of‑the‑seat action, surprise podiums, and cruel fortune for the home hero.

On pole and leading early was Misaki Sakura in Kureiji Ollie’s #13 Ollie machine, who threaded her way flawlessly through the opening stages to build a clear advantage. Yet it was Javier Lusby—Vestia Zeta’s #07 entry—who picked his moments perfectly, executing a near-flwless overcut strategy by pitting later than Sakura for the win under Buriram’s floodlights, his Oreca crossing the line by 11  seconds thanks to lapped cars.

Sunday’s runner‑up spot was a breakthrough for Sakura, whose second place on debut propels her and Kureiji Ollie into genuine contention for future rounds. Hot on her heels was Haziq Yazid (Shiori Novella #90), who claimed the final podium step after an aggressive mid‑race charge that swept him past early‑leader Sven Jensen (IRyS #86) and Hinochi Taiyo (Hoshinova Moona #69).

Home favorite Tawan Bhumin suffered the day’s cruellest blow: his Fuwawa Abyssgard #25 Oreca’s engine gave out with just nine laps remaining, dashing his hopes in front of a spirited Thai crowd. Elsewhere, Joshua Azurid (Mori Calliope #4) finished outside the points after being collected in a three‑wide scrap—one of which saw Yuri‑Rafael de Oliveira penalized 30 seconds for forcing Azurid into retirement at Turn 3 by turning him around, resuling in a last place finish (24th). This is Azurid's second straight DNF in a standalone International round in HoloType.

Debutant Alex Grant (Cecilia Immergreen #34) gained invaluable night‑race experience despite placing 18th, while Misaki Sakura’s pole‑to‑P2 run confirmed her as a rising star in the Oreca pack. Penalized for minor contact, Yuri‑Rafael de Oliveira salvaged 22nd, and Tawan Bhumin’s DNF slotted him in 23rd.

In the championship chase, Haziq Yazid now tops the standings on 466 points, his Shiori Novella­–branded Oreca proving rock‑solid under pressure. Dan Evans (394 pts) and Mohd Shazren Redza (388 pts) round out the top three—but with six rounds to go, next up, Motegi this weekend, every second on track will count.

Buriram’s sunset sprint‑turned‑nightmare delivered its share of misfortune, but also lit the path for fresh talent. As the floodlights dim, eyes turn to the Motegi mountainside—where 100‑minute duels await to decide the 2025 HoloType International crown.