Sepang gains momentum after race in Bahrain is called off

"We want to be conservative. If we get a surge, we’ll be happy. The huge rush for tickets usually comes closer to the race"- DATUK RAZALAN RAZALI

With the Bahrain F1 cancelled, all eyes are now on the Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix as the Sepang F1 circuit poses equal challenges, partly due to its similar design, scorching heat, sweeping corners and wide angles. Sepang will host the second round of this year’s F1 championship from April 8 to 10 after Australia’s street circuit race last weekend.

Though the most expensive tickets to the race — RM2,000 each — in the Diamond category are sold out, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali is humble about the surge in ticket sales for the Sepang F1, following the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix due to the country’s political turmoil. “We want to be conservative. If we get a surge, we’ll be happy. The huge rush for tickets usually comes closer to the race,” said Razlan.

In fact, the rush has already begun especially when news broke out that South Korean superstar Rain will be the closing act for the race on April 10. What’s more, the ‘2-in-1’ tickets are going cheap — as low as RM138 each for the race and Rain’s concert.

Closing act: South Korean pop star Rain will be performing at the end of the Malaysian F1 GP on April 10.

“We’re making F1 affordable to everyone in Malaysia,” Razlan said. “We want to capture the ordinary Joe (and Jane). Motor sports is not just for the high income group,” he added. At press time, 60% of the tickets have been snapped up — with 100,000 spectactors expected to converge on the Sepang race circuit. But Razlan is honest in saying that Sepang will lose its momentum this year due to the rescheduling in the F1 races.

“Bahrain used to be a good warm-up session for the drivers because it was the season opener. “So, when they came to Sepang, it was the real race. But now, Sepang will be the place for them to try out their new engines and tyres under extreme weather conditions.” “Australia, on the other hand, is a good preparation for them for the Singapore street circuit race.”

-thestar online.