SEPANG: The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) now has a new and more attractive façade after the 5.543 kilometer (km) circuit was equipped with floodlights where it will now be able to host night races.
With an increase in bookings since the last couple of years, such an initiative to install the floodlights came about with two objectives, one to enable SIC to get more bookings for the track, and secondly to allow it to host night races which has a strong following here in Malaysia.
"We see this as an ideal opportunity for us to attract more bookings for the track by opening it up for use for night races, so we decided to go ahead and install the floodlights all throughout the track,” said SIC Chairman Tan Sri Azman Yahya.
"We engaged with circuit floodlights specialists who were responsible for the installation of floodlights at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, the Losail Circuit in Qatar, the Jukasa Speedway in Canada as well as the Bahrain International Circuit.
"These are the same specialists who were responsible for the installation of floodlights at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil for last year’s Kuala Lumpur Sea Games."
The design and location of the floodlights have been certified and endorsed by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) and the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
"I firmly believe that such an initiative will bring in even more bookings for the track and it will also add to the experience not just for the racing professionals, but event organisers and spectators especially who will come for the night races,” Azman pointed out.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad officiated the new floodlights, and incidentally he also officiated the opening of the circuit back in 1999 during his first tenure as Prime Minister.
"Tun Dr Mahathir officiated the opening of SIC back in 1999 and that marked the beginning of motorsports and racing development here in Malaysia which has carried on till this day.
"After 19 years, Tun Dr Mahathir has returned to officiate yet another milestone for the circuit,” added Azman.