MEDIA ENGAGEMENT WITH SEPANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT (SIC) CEO EN. AZHAN SHAFRIMAN

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic stretching to over a year now, has taken a toll on many industries, especially feeling it are the tourism and tourism related industries. One of them is Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Malaysian media were invited to attend a virtual session with Sepang International Circuit (SIC) CEO Mr. Azhan Shafriman or more fondly called Shaf yesterday to understand the current and future plans of SIC.

Many were primarily concern that the MotoGP race schedule to be held in Malaysia on the 31^st  of October 2021 may be cancel. However Shaf assures that discussions are ongoing and so far, there is no indication that it will be cancel. We have inquired about other international and regional two- and four-wheels races like the Endurance World Championship (EWC), Asia Touring Car (ATC), Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC), Asian Le Mans Series (ALMS), etc. to which Shaf voiced his disappointment of the red tapes faced by him and his team in getting approvals and support from the government, thus preventing these organizers from coming in.

On the positive note, SIC has secured an almost full calendar bookings this year, through both local motorsports and non-motorsports events. The local two- and four-wheels enthusiasts would be incredibly happy to know that there will be more open track days for them to release the tensions build up from staying and working from home for too long. Unfortunately, this will for now apply to those staying within the Selangor State. We pray that the cross states restriction would be lifted soon so that enthusiasts from other States may come and enjoy the fabulous facilities offered by SIC.

Shaf adds that the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) scheduled on the 3^rd quarter will have at least one round together with the Sepang 1000 Kilometer race (S1K). The SIC Time Out event held on the 5^th to 7^th April 2021, where anyone can jog, walk, skateboard, rollerblade and cycle in this international circuit has received tremendous positive feedback and it will definitely be continuing with the support from the Youth & Sports Ministry (KBS).

In the works are SIC Driving Experience Centre which is similar to the Porsche Driving Experience Centre in Europe where anyone can sign up to learn defensive driving and many other safety driving skills.  SIC is also working with Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) in developing and churning out local 4-wheels young talents to represent Malaysia in Asia and eventually to the pinnacle of motorsports which is the F1. Let us all come and support #supportlokal.