SEPANG: International Circuit (SIC) have been given three years to make the Malaysia Championship Series (MSC) and Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) self sustainable.
Their chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali said the two national championships, which have been running at a loss for almost two decades, are currently being run on funding available due to Formula One’s exit from Malaysia.
“The (SIC) board wanted to scrap these events as they have been loss making since (introduction in) 2001 but I insisted on maintaining them as they are our national championships and are part of our nation building and talent development efforts,” said Razlan, during the launch of the national championships calendar today.
“We have successfully applied for support (from government) to host these events based on the savings from F1’s exit.
“The government, however, does not want these two series to depend on public funding forever and we have been given three years to break even.
“We are hoping to achieve this by leveraging on increased online viewership of both races to attract sponsors, among others.
“It is easier for MCS (cars) as events such as TCR Asia and Asian GT3 are run together with MCS and they pay us a slot fee. It is harder for two-wheels (MSBK).”
MCS and MSBK will both feature five rounds and will begin on March 30 and May 12 respectively. The Sepang 1000km endurance race has been set for Nov 21-25.
SIC is also introducing an e-MCS series (e-sport) this year which will run alongside the actual on-track races. Winners of the e-MCS series will earn a seat as a full season driver in MCS next year.
“The E-MCS winner will be guided on how to race in the actual MCS where they will race for team Dream Chaser,” added Razlan.
Qualifying sessions for e-MCS will be held at The Rift in Mid Valley shopping mall which is equipped with a dedicated race room two weeks before each MCS round.