21 January 2008, By Sepang International Circuit
Targeting 125,000 spectators for the race, Malaysian F1 promoter Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has expressed confidence that the 10th edition of the Formula One PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix this year will set a new record in spectators’ turnout and bigger enjoyment for the fans.
While the Formula One race is expected to be as thrilling as ever, particularly with the changes to the regulations for the 2008 season, SIC Chairman Datuk Mokhzani Tun Mahathir noted that the inclusion of the brand new Speedcar Series and GP2 Asia Series as the support races to the event would provide fans with additional excitement.
“On track, the 10th edition of the Formula One PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix will provide the most comprehensive race programme with the new GP2 Asia Series and the Speedcar Series joining the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Formula BMW Asia as the support races.
“The GP2 Asia Series is an exciting formula series and an extension of the GP2 series that has been running as a support race in the European leg of the Formula One World Championship. Meanwhile, the Speedcar Series Championship is a stock car racing championship that features identical V8 620bhp stock cars, which deliberately lack electronic driver aids.”
“Together with the other two support races – the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Formula BMW Asia, the Speedcar Series and the GP2 Asia Series will definitely add to the excitement and provide additional pull in wooing in fans to the circuit,” Mokhzani said in his speech at the official launch of the 2008 Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix at the Esplande, KLCC in Kuala Lumpur this evening.
Officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, the ceremony was also attended by Tourism Minister Tengku Datuk Adnan Tengku Mansor, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai and PETRONAS President and Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican.
Malaysia will host Round 2 of the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship from March 21 to 23. The new season will open with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 13 to 16.
“The track itself is more than ready, with all the upgrades completed. In fact, the Honda, Toyota and Nissan Super GT teams had just completed a weeklong testing this afternoon. Next week, the MotoGP teams would be coming to Sepang Circuit for the first of their three annual testing at Sepang,” said Mokhzani.
Immediately after last year’s Formula One race, SIC had conducted a full resurfacing exercise of the 5.543-km track; providing additional safety features including construction of tarmac run-off areas for Turn 1, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13 and 15. In enhancing safety at the track, we have also extended the kerbs at some stretches at the entrance of Turn 1, Turn 2, Turn 3, Turn 6, Turn 9 and Turn 14.
The circuit had also carried out the necessary face-lift of the entire facilities with renovations and upgrading works for all the hospitality suites and race offices; and I would say that Sepang International Circuit is all ready for the race.
In its effort to woo in the crowd, the SIC Chairman said would be organising a series of nationwide F1 roadshow; beginning with the Mahkota Parade in Malacca from January 25 to 27.
The domestic promotion, he said, was in support of on-going international promotions, which SIC had done with its key partners – PETRONAS, Tourism Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur City since last year.
First organized in October 1999 as the penultimate round of the season, the Formula One PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix draws an average of 95,000 spectators annually with the 2007 edition recording the highest number of spectators so far 115,497 fans on Race Day.
On January 1, it had launched a special campaign named 10 Thrilling Offers of the 10th Edition which included free tickets upon purchase of selected tickets, discounts and free gifts of limited edition F1 T-shirts and caps.
The domestic promotion, Mokhzani said, was in support of its on-going international promotions, which SIC had done with its key partners – Petronas, Tourism Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur City since last year.
On average, some 40 percent of the spectators at the Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang are made up of foreigners especially from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Europe countries.
Tickets are priced as low as RM100 and can be purchased via internet at http://www.malaysiangp.com.my/ or by calling TICKET HOTLINE at 603-87782222
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