Sepang is ready to welcome F1
Efforts to promote the Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix 2004, which will be held from March 19 to 21 at Sepang F1 Circuit, will proceed as normal though the nation has been gripped with the general election fever.“We are just days away from the race and we will remain focus on our efforts to make the sixth edition of the Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix an even bigger success than the previous races in Sepang.
“Everything is already on track. Promotions will go on as being planned and we remain committed to carry out this national agenda,” says Ahmad Mustafa, General Manager of Sepang International Circuit.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi had announced that Parliament would be dissolved today to pave way for Malaysia’s 11th general election, which must take place within the next 60 days.
Sepang will host Round 2 of the 2004 Formula One World Championship, which opens in Melbourne this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix. From Sepang, it will travel to 16 other circuits around the globe including to Bahrain and Shanghai for the first time.
“So, in just 10 days’ time, the whole Formula One circus will start coming to Malaysia to prepare for the sixth edition of the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix”, said Ahmad at the Formula 1 Pit Stop party in Hyatt Saujana, Subang yesterday.
“While I must admit that there is still plenty to be done for the event, I am happy to announce that the circuit is all ready for the race. The track will be inspected by FIA Race Director on March 18 to officially start the 2004 Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix,” said Ahmad.
Apart from the F1 promo parties that have been arranged by SIC and its partners, other promotional events that had been lined up include the Formula Roadshow in Penang this weekend, the Bangsar Street Party on March 13 and the Race in the City street demonstration on March 14.
“Tonight’s event at Hyatt is the start of a series of F1 parties that going to happen around Kuala Lumpur and the whole of Klang Valley up to the race day on March 21,” said Ahmad, who is Event Director for the Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix.
After according its highest attendance of 101,485 for the 2003 race, SIC has set a target of 120,000 spectators for the race on March 21 in Sepang.
