Sepang track will not close down after 2018 – SIC CEO

Sepang track will not close down after 2018 – SIC CEO

The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) will not close its doors despite no longer hosting F1 races after 2018, according to a report by Bernama. “There is no such thing as closing shop if F1 is not organised after 2018 as almost 90% of our track is being used for various activities every year,” said SIC CEO Datuk Razlan Razali.

“The Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix would be our main event after 2018 as the event itself has managed to lure a large turnout every year but we are always looking for room to improve as we have signed a contract extension (with MotoGP rights holder, Dorna Sports) until 2021,” he added, stating that ticket sales for the 2017 Malaysia MotoGP is expected to be announced in the middle of January next year.

Razlan also revealed that SIC would collaborate with the Boon Siew Honda Racing Team to produce more young riders to succeed existing ones. Seven riders from the Asian Talent Cup Championship were selected to undergo an intensive training under the team in coming January, with the best riders given a chance to compete either in the FIM CEV Repsol Motorcycle Championship or Moto3 World Championship from 2018 onwards.

Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, tourism and culture minister, was also reported as saying the reason Malaysia would stop hosting F1 races is due to poor financial returns from lacklustre ticket sales. He explained that the government spends RM300 million a year for it, but the financial returns were less than what was spent.

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Comments

  • Faiz Roslan on Dec 28, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    Good move by the government.

    The Sepang track is a good investment, as its considered the top 3 track of all time in F1 history. So much history is in this track that we should maintain the heritage and history of the well design malaysian made track. it shows malaysian power in the automobile world

    how many f1 host can boasts having their own car maker? not many out there

    with a well maintained track and a world reknowned automaker, we are on track to become an automotive giant in asia

    Well Done SIC, well done Msia government.

    – Faiz Roslan CEng

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 14
    • i know its bait, but i’ll bite.
      Sepang is one of the best tracks due to it being designed by Hermann Tilke, the man who designed other new F1 tracks ever since. And also maintenance is world-class.
      As for MY power in automobile, Pet is amongst the most well known, thanks to partnership with Mesidis AMG.
      The Gov might not be perfect, but showed it can bite the bullet and take unpopular actions to steer the country thru the storms.

      Cheers.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • If only F1 had MotoGP mgmt team running the show.
    Oh well, not a huge loss since Sepang has tons of other track events.
    Heck, if they were smart, they cud have moving concerts and performances with the stage set on a float and the singer performing to audiences around the track. 100k coming to see Rhianna performing on wheels? U betcha!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • mat jenin on Dec 29, 2016 at 9:09 am

    F1 sounds not as good as motogp. no wonder tickets sales are down

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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