Replace Formula One with more rewarding races – SIC

Replace Formula One with more rewarding races – SIC

With the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix now absent from Malaysia’s motorsport calendar, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is preparing a variety of programmes and initiatives to replace it. This includes developing local talent in several racing disciplines.

SIC CEO Datuk Razlan Razali, said in a report by Bernama that other forms of four-wheel motor racing are needed to fill the void left by F1, and they should not only be well supported by motorsport fans but also provide returns to the country.

“We need races that have an impact on the economy. Before organising these races, we should raise awareness and interest in the races among local motorsport fans. It’s meaningless if the races attract more foreign audiences compared to local fans,” said Razlan during a press conference after announcing SIC’s 2018 programme for local talents in two- and four-wheel motorsports.

Among those in attendance include Jazeman Jaafar, Afiq Ikhwan Yazid, Weiron Tan and Nabil Jeffri, who will compete in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Meanwhile, Mitchell Cheah will be a part of the 2018 TCR Asia Series.

As for those competing on two wheels, there’s Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (MotoGP), Zulfahmi Khairuddin (Moto2) and Adam Norrodin (Moto3). Participants in SIC’s talent searching programme ‘Impian ke MotoGP’, Danial El Fahim, Muhammad Hrith Hazziq, Muhammad Izam Ikmal, Mohd Daniel Syahmi and Muhammad Idil Fitri were also present at the event.

“SIC just signed an agreement with a good and formidable team, Jackie Chan DC Racing X Jota, this year. All Malaysian racers will continue to compete with this team after making their debut at the end of the 2017-2018 season, and will compete in the prestigious Super Series WEC 2018/19, which includes two Le Mans 24 Hours races beginning this July,” Razlan said.

The Jackie Chan DC Racing team was founded in 2015, and is co-owned by Asian Le Mans champion David Cheng and actor Jackie Chan. The team found success in last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, coming in first in the LMP2 category, as well as in the Asian Le Mans Series 2017-18 season. “Besides having a good team, skilled engineers are also necessary to assist in technical matters, plus the presence of Jackie Chan himself can help promote the races,” noted Razlan.

Previously, SIC had considered hosting the Australia Supercars Championship (also known as V8 Supercars), with a potential race said to take place somewhere between the April and June this year. The idea was pitched after an exhibition race at the inaugural KL City Grand Prix. So, what races do you think would be a good addition to the local motorsports calendar?

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Ring2 on Mar 22, 2018 at 10:41 am

    Maybe SIC can consider opening up it’s track for a small fee so that all enthusiast can use it. Like Nurburgring. Or better yet, let the Mat Rempits use it for RM5 per night and run 24 hours. They’d be better off here than on our streets

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 4
    • Hugo Andore on Mar 22, 2018 at 11:14 am

      Nah, Mat Rempit won’t race in a safe track. There’s no lorry balak or Myvi driving aunties to look out for. Too safe for them. Plus they can’t afford the 5 bucks.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 2
      • 4G63T DSM on Mar 22, 2018 at 1:59 pm

        or have enough petrol $ to ride to sepang for that matter.

        Street racers and rempits race based on how big their balls are. Roadkill be damned.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
        • Lan keramat on Mar 22, 2018 at 4:01 pm

          Bantu membantu amalan2 murni.

          https://paultan.org/2017/02/23/pemuda-bn-beri-petrol-percuma-untuk-motosikal-di-semua-wilayah-persekutuan-pada-setiap-awal-bulan/

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • mr_em on Mar 22, 2018 at 1:04 pm

      They (SIC) already doing this via open track days and public can drive production/road cars on the track but the fees are not exactly small for a 55 mins session… RM3xx per session and you can find the schedules/calendar in the SIC website

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • 4G63T DSM on Mar 22, 2018 at 2:01 pm

      Only if they made it affordable.

      I used to pay 300 per open track session a while back. Wonder how much it is now.

      This is of course not inclusive of the cost to flatbed your car all the way to Sepang, and back.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • tokmoh. on Mar 22, 2018 at 10:46 am

    “Nobody made him look stupid, and it’s difficult to make people look stupid. If they are, they are,”

    – Bernie Ecclestone

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
    • And deswai they kicked Bernie out of his F1. He made the Grand Prix look stupid.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 29
      • tomok on Mar 22, 2018 at 11:13 am

        “Dumb and Dumber”

        – Jim Carrey, 1994

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
      • rally_fan (Member) on Mar 22, 2018 at 4:12 pm

        no one kicked bernie out. he sold everything away. he is 86 for goodness sake and has more money than he can finish. also, he is now appointed as chairman emeritus and will act as an adviser to the board

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
        • Losing business made him sold out. Recouping his profits while its still there.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • willie on Mar 22, 2018 at 10:55 am

      Developing more local racing talents.

      https://paultan.org/2017/02/13/najib-approves-rm30-million-allocation-to-build-new-race-track-in-kedah/

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • Abdul Wahab on Mar 22, 2018 at 11:58 am

      SIC is just a faiure. They don’t even know how to make money from F1

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 8
      • Pretty much every F1 track dun make money. Does it mean they all failure just F1 is the common denominator if failure?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 3
      • casual rider on Mar 22, 2018 at 4:14 pm

        you do? care to share how?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Instead of race, maybe they can do movable concerts on floats like Rio’s Carnival, except with international and local stars singing around the track. 150,000 concert-goers can probably break world record.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
  • Ahmadjr on Mar 22, 2018 at 1:06 pm

    We want to see accidents like nascar

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • logic citizen on Mar 22, 2018 at 2:31 pm

    they shouldn’t kill off F1, instead they should turned it into a night race like in Singapore with live performances from international mainstream bands/djs not local or stupid kpop shows..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
  • manoq on Mar 22, 2018 at 2:59 pm

    Maybe the folllowing:

    1) DTM (can attract the Mercedes, BMW and Audi enthusiasts locally to watch the race here as many people can identify with the cars used in the race)

    2) Porsche Asia Cup (not sure if it is already here)

    3) FIA World Touring Car Cup.

    Again, most cars used in the race are similar to those sold outside like Honda Civic, VW Golf and Audi S3. Can obviously attract more spectators as tickets could be much lower and affordable.

    Manoq

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • casual rider on Mar 22, 2018 at 4:14 pm

    you do? care to share how?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Donno on Mar 22, 2018 at 11:45 pm

    Bring back Japan GT. Do a special DTM+Japan GT collaboration race in Sepang. That would be an awesome spectacle.

    If endurance, bring the top level, the WEC round to Malaysia.

    Touring cars, TCR world series, not the asian one. Need to have a malaysian TCR team with a malaysian car. Proton, perodua are you up to the task?

    Need to have a malaysian junior touring car championship. Under 25 years old using probably myvi 1.5. The same engine does wonders with the vios cup, why not a racing myvi?

    Cubprix championship managed by SAM is the reason why we are so successful in creating world class riders. Right now we need something like the cubprix but for race car drivers. The toyota vios racing is a good indication that a nationwide car street race can be done.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Donno on Mar 22, 2018 at 11:55 pm

    Actually cars are boring. Bring more motorcycle races to Sepang!

    MotoGP is the momma!

    I want to see something like Suzuka Endurance Race in sepang

    I want to see a Japan Superbike Race in Sepang. I want to see Zaqhwan Zaidi race!

    I wan to see grand prix classic race like the World GP Bike Legends event with grand prix superstars riding their 500cc 2 stroke monsters.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Sputjam on Mar 23, 2018 at 8:56 pm

    How to race in the daytime with all that racing outfit?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
 

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