With the impending disappearance of Formula 1 from the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in 2018, there are plans to shift the focus of the circuit towards local and regional events, as well as develop ancillary attractions around the circuit.
Speaking at a press conference during the launch of the SIC-MAM Motorsports Awards, SIC chief executive office Datuk Razlan Razali emphasised that the circuit, which cost RM268 million to build in 1999, is not a white elephant.
“We have a lot of programmes planned for two-wheels, purely because of MotoGP,” said Razlan, “and for the next five years, till 2021, our programmes will remain relevant to help support MotoGP.” Razlan said the strategy is to always have a Malaysian rider in each category.
“This includes MotoGP, in which we are currently working hard to place a Malaysian rider as early as next year,” he said. Razlan continued by saying that the local motorcycle racing scene currently lacks an intermediate layer for riders to step up from the Asia Talent Cup to CEV championship as a springboard to the Moto2 and Moto3 categories.
Banking on MotoGP as the biggest event in the SIC calendar, and a track occupancy of 90% every year, Razlan said SIC is looking to aggressively implement its masterplan. Razlan hoped that this would close the gap between the loss of Formula 1 revenue and create alternate sources of income.
Included in the masterplan is a proposal to build a driving and safety facility at the go-kart track next year, where the public can learn advanced driving techniques in simulated emergency situations. “Going forward, we are looking at other attractions, motorsports related, to bring in the attendance figures,” said Razlan.
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of course is not a white elephant… it’s only an elephant in white… get it?
This guy is just trying to save his job. Hello the SIC is now white elephant lah. It is like the Stadiums in Bukit Jalil although this race track.
SIC and all these other white elephants were built so that people can make money. Huge money. Contracts were given to family members to build and maintain the stadiums and you can see what crap they give.
Go see Shah Alam stadiums and see the people running it and selling food there. All cronies with no hygiene. No 1 place for food poisoning.
Toilets also leaking and clogged up with berak smell everywhere.
SIC is the same. Better to just shut it down or expand KLIA onto its land and make another terminal.
It is going to waste so much of rakyat’s money.
Shut it down and don’t let it become another Proton.
Silly just to keep it cause takut jatuh muka or jatuh pride.
Pink elephant? Blue elephant? Black elephant? Waste of money,project for big cronies.
A multi colour one.
open the circuit to the mat rempit..charge them rm 5 or more per entry per person..sure bring more income to sepang
Even this market will be gone. The Police will crack down on the Mat Rempits very soon.
Lets hope Sepang will Not turn into a white elephant otherwise all RM 268 million will go down the drain.
No it wun. Still got MotoGP, Merdeka Endurance, one make races, and weekly trackdays. Oh and F1 until 2018
From 2019 F1 race will be hold at FastTrack City Johor.. F1 rae at Sepang will be stop from 2017(last season) and move to FastTrack City. F1 Track cost more than 1.5 billion ringgit will be the only one F1 track from 2019 onward..
He is so lansi one. One day track rental is 50k. SIC was laughing at small bikers saying u cannot afford it.
The main problem is not about bringing events or races into sepang… but getting the crowd to see these races… just check out the top pic… there’s no one in the stands.
Don’t blame on spectators, there are lack of advertising where public not even aware the racing event until reported in sport news.
Just look back SuperGT and A1 racing in the past where there are full of people.
How to make profit if cost to organize become double due to depreciation of Ringgit..
So, blame who? Typical accused, Less Spectator & Sponsor…
ya right.
ill bet two cents that the above people that commented came to SIC during major events either using free ticket, or even worse, never came to SIC.
support sikit la, SIC is one of the flagbearers of the nation. tourist visited SIC and are impressed, typical malaysians bashing-bashing-bashing.
give rempit rm5 to race in track, do you know got kapcai endurance in sepang? mat rempits racing dont want wear racing suit how? track flag rule main redah how?
talk cock easy brader. a lot of people are passionate about sepang, fork out pocket money enter open track day, walk 2 km to main grandstand to watch sepang testing.
Definitely wont have much young malaysian be interest in this type of sports…. to get those young man interested you need lots of cash to let them get a hot ride to be passion in racing, and walah…. our vehicles here cost so much, even those consider hobby entry level sport car like Toyota GT86 and Mazda MX5 cost 200k for new, how you expect ppl build up passion and will want to be professional racer with this environment.
Better, you buy a RM2k below PC and go play DOTA 2 you maybe a millionare and stand a chance in a world tournament. The barrier of entry is lower, and you wont need to spend big money to get started.
no F1 no meaning for SIC dy.. that’s the reason it’s built at first place!
Dear SIC,
Please bring the WEC to Malaysia. Thank you.
Tiket mahal sangat. Malaysian tak kaya.
The bottom line is it profitable now and the next 2 years?? If not, just like ploton, etc, sell sic to mainland chinese. Another one to bite the dust??