Formel 1 – MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, Großer Preis von Malaysia 2016. Lewis Hamilton ;
Formula One – MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, Malaysian GP 2016. Lewis Hamilton;
After the announcement that the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix would be removed from the event calendar in 2018, questions have been asked as to what will happen to Sepang International Circuit (SIC), moving forward. When we spoke to SIC chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali in Feburary, he emphasised the fact SIC will not fall into disuse, and there are plans for major development to expand the circuit’s appeal to all.
Among plans for expansion, SIC chairman Tan Sri Azman Yahya mentioned new and upgraded facilities at the Sepang International Kart Circuit, installation of new lighting to accommodate night driving activities extending the operating hours of the circuit, an Advanced Driving Experience Centre, and reconfiguration of the north and south tracks to create a new exciting half-track.
Over the 19 years that Formula 1 has graced the calendar at SIC, the decision to terminate the event was by mutual consent, and Razlan is planning to re-examine current international events, with a view to reallocating the investment to new areas. “Our involvement with F1 provided us with the skills and experience to further grow our national motorsports championships, as well as being a circuit for a multitude of manufacturer races,” said Razlan.
Azman added, “Our partnership with Formula 1 has been instrumental in the development of Sepang, the Malaysian motorsports industry and the sports tourism sector. Together, we have collaborated in talent development, infrastructure investment and skills upgrading. And we are extremely proud of our achievements in hosting the world class event and at the same time nurturing and developing home grown race-drivers, engineers, mechanics and track experts.”
Other revenue streams envisaged by Razlan for SIC include non-motorsports activities and competitions such as the Music Run, obstacle races, concerts and various other events such as weddings, product launches and business workshops, and seminars. Nurturing racing talent from the grassroots will also continue with the SIC motorsport development programme.
For the final running of the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017, SIC will be offering the lowest ticket prices ever, plus special discounts for Malaysians to thank them for their support over the years. “In the past, maintaining strong spectator numbers has sometimes been a challenge, so we hope this new pricing schedule will enable us to bring the curtain down on the race with a strong showing,” said Azman.
In an economic impact study by PricewaterhouseCoopers commissioned by SIC in 2013, the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2012 generated over RM300 million in economic benefits. The event also generated extensive media exposure, besides creating over 4,500 jobs.
SIC was built for the hosting of the 1999 Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix, at a reported cost of RM268 million. “We believe that we will continue to reel in the benefits of the races being held here for years to come. With the nurturing of drivers, local talent and enhancing a new breed of expertise through the SIC Technical Academy, Malaysia will continue to have its foothold in motorsports,” added Razlan.
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Nürburgring of Asia.
Can lease to Proton for testing their new cars?
Geely or Peugeot boleh test gak.
Impossible is nothing
P1 has dedicated test track at Tg Malim
Pergghhh track mahal RM1.5b beb
For testing prototypes or vehicles for type approval, it need to be a closed circuit, not public.
Can use it to rally lor…good cornering some more…save kl from all those silly demos..no jam…yay…
There has been a few times before that funding was given for motorsports only to disappear into the air. What happened to the hundred million given out for the supposed “national motorsports academy”? The need for speed is a craving many malaysians have, be it on two wheels or four. Create a suitable event for them, we have the arena (sepang circuit) but we need more approachable events, at grassroot level so that people can participate in motorsports positively and maybe some future motorsports stars can be nurtured and found.
With the newly invested tarmac and withdrawal from F1, SIC dun need to upgrade the track for another 5 years. Use that savings to gradually install floodlights around the track.
Meanwhile stay open for use 24hours/7/365, but make mandatory for night racers to have proper headlights and strictly enforce no turn-off-headlights-to-surprise-opponents-manoeuvre. Oso open track for F1/GT team testings.
In 5 years time when the lights r up, and if F1 still viable, then we can repave the tarmac and offer 2 types of races in 1 season: day race and night race.
F1 used to be competitive. I remember watching it on tv even on late night. Now no one watching it
My idea is better. Since there is already a track, which essentially is a road, turn the space along the road into public housing.
Not sure pipu wud like to stay in area where 100,000 pipu (+ worldwide audience as well) peering into ur home, do u?
This is a sad day, after being the pioneer in bringing F1 to South East Asia we are now abandoning it because money is in short supply. But is it? No other suggestion as alternatives has the same draw like F1, that guarantees an international audience, period. MotoGP has its audience but is much smaller in size.
This is where SIC really needs to put on its thinking cap and think what to do next, before Sepang really becomes a white elephant or worse another housing project like Batu Tiga
Smaller size? MotoGP been pulling more crowd into Sepang than F1 did for couple of years now.
But SIC will be alrite. Track utilisation is quite packed but they need to look into nite race facilities. MotoGP may wanna go that route in future.
We have a Malaysian Motor Sports Industry? I don’t know that…. I thought most of our highways are the place to be for racing events…
MY hiways is to nurture SG racers, but they alredi middle-age…
Don’t forget guys we still have MotoGP and of not mistaken, WSBK. Anyway, I watched a top gear series when the trio went to america to test the blue ridge highway using 3 sports cars and they went to a track which is a resort. There is accommodation available made complete with garage so people wake up and can straight goes to race. Or track day events. Do that SIC.
time to move on
Another white elephant binned by Najib. Our Prime Minister is too modest to boast about his great work on streamlining the economy and getting these huge expenses off the books.
Unfortunate as the track wasn’t well-designed in the first place. Nothing especially exciting. Had the privilege of a pit walk with Exxon and Toyota years ago, the technology is impressive. But sweltering heat..the consequence of palm trees instead of proper tropical trees planted.
Become Sepang Rempit Circuit. Just like everything that was envision to be the stimuli for greater things (eg. Proton), it has now become a liability and a reminder of what could have been.
convert into mat rempit circuit
Excuse me, it’s not 2018 anymore. The final
F1 is this year, 2017. Keep updated! And no, SIC is not going to be an immediate white elephant just as F1 hosting ends in Malaysia. There still are better major events in the queue.