Sepang CEO: Tough times ahead but we’re prepared

Sepang CEO: Tough times ahead but we’re prepared

With the imposition of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and declaration of a State of Emergency for Malaysia, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is not taking things for granted and is prepared for a tough year ahead. With the cancellation of the MotoGP Winter Test in February and Malaysian Superbike Championship rounds, scheduled for this month, SIC chief executive officer Azlan Shafriman Hanif is optimistic that the circuit and its staff will weather this crisis as it has in the past year.

“The MCO has had a severe impact on SIC’s revenue last year, I don’t have the exact number with me right now, but in terms of percentage of revenue it’s more than 50%, from our calculations,” said Shafriman. Shafriman, who prefers to be knows as “Shaf”, said this has affected SIC’s profit for 2020.

Realising this has to be addressed, Shaf has implemented cost savings and control of fixed costs, something that was started last year during the first MCO and will continue into this year. “We have several plans, especially in the area of cost control and we will have to be careful with expenditure,” he said.

Sepang CEO: Tough times ahead but we’re prepared

Shaf doesn’t expect the MCO to be lifted in two weeks and foresees a possible continuation. “SIC intends to resume it calendar once the MCO lifts and one of the measures we have proposed to the authorities is a “travel bubble” where international participants will go from the airport to the hotel for a day’s quarantine, then between the hotel and circuit until the event ends,” Shaf said in reference to the Malaysian MotoGP round at the end of this year and the possibility of it being held.

SIC is also looking at revenue streams apart from the traditional motorsports events, with an emphasis on involving the family. “Most often, the gentlemen in the family come to Sepang for the racing or whatever, and the family doesn’t follow simply because there is nothing there for them. We want to change that by making Sepang a family-friendly place, perhaps with a nice cafe and nursery where families can spend time,” said Shaf.

Sepang CEO: Tough times ahead but we’re prepared

Plans also include a renovation of the Sepang go-kart track and the building of a drive experience centre. “We have called for the tender and once the process concludes we expect to begin work in April,” explained Shaf.

It appears 2021 will be much the same as 2020 for SIC, with travel restrictions and pandemic lockdowns playing havoc with the race calendar both regionally and internationally. “Looking on the bright side, I feel SIC has a key role to play in developing motorsports in the region, as we done in the past, and we will get through this as a team,” Shaf said.

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Mohan K Ramanujam

Coming with diverse and extensive experience in heavy engineering, Mohan enjoys making anything with wheels go fast, especially motorcycles. His weapon of choice is the Desmoquattro engine, and he has a penchant for anything with a dash of Italian design. Strangely enough, he insists he's a slow rider.

 

Comments

  • Chavez on Jan 15, 2021 at 4:30 pm

    For the past 60years… Petronas saved Sepang & Malaysia, time & time again. Syukur Petronas,

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • seancorr (Member) on Jan 15, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    Best time to do track maintenance and make sure it’s back to world class standards.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Jeremy on Jan 16, 2021 at 12:44 am

      F16, Sukhoi and M16 orso maintenance ala kadar … how to make sure it’s back to world class standards? Paham2 jela wei habislaa

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Rakyat Malaysia on Jan 15, 2021 at 5:20 pm

    Exactly CEO azlan… this is Tough times for everyone, more so with underperforming govt but we’re all prepared.. paling penting, do NOT work with people who’re being charged.. #kitajagamsia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 3
  • Lovely BAC Mono ….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Dong gor on Jan 15, 2021 at 6:05 pm

    What is there to prepare?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Thanaraj Jaindren on Jan 15, 2021 at 7:33 pm

    Fill up Vietnam’s spot in F1 already. We know you want to

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • the driver on Jan 15, 2021 at 11:24 pm

    This is what happens when arrogance is demonstrated by saying that we can continue to do well without any international events,etc. A little humility earlier would have been welcome earlier.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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