SEPANG, Oct 1 - Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is now ready for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia this weekend, with nearly 100,000 tickets sold, breaking the record for highest ticket sales in the history of races held at the circuit.
SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said about 3,000 tickets remain for grandstand and hillstand seats, which can be bought online at bahraingp.com.
“This is a figure we have never seen before in terms of ticket sales,” he told a media conference here yesterday.
He said the circuit is 100 per cent ready, with almost all logistics cargo having arrived ahead of the paddock startup tomorrow, adding that this is commendable seeing as SIC had less than two months to prepare compared with the usual six to seven months.
“It has been a roller coaster for all of us. We have certainly faced various challenges over the past two months.
“All this while, we have been homologated as an F1 Grade 1 circuit. To elevate it to the level of an F1 event, it takes a lot of effort from all parties, and what we have accomplished in these two months is, to me, truly astounding,” he said.
Azhan said SIC is working with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) to monitor air quality ahead of the race.
He said cloud seeding had also been carried out around SIC to induce rainfall today and tomorrow to clear the air in Sepang.
“We have made various preparations aimed at achieving ideal conditions. But if conditions are not ideal, we have to assess the situation at that time.
“In terms of haze, we have a threshold value (API level) for cancelling or postponing the race. With cloud seeding, we hope the resulting rain will help reduce the haze and that the API (Air Pollutant Index) level will not be as high as expected,” Azhan said.
Malaysia will host the Gulf Air Bahrain GP from tomorrow to Sunday following an agreement signed between F1, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), and the Malaysian and Bahraini governments.
The agreement allowed the Bahrain GP to remain on the F1 calendar after it was cancelled earlier this season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Malaysia previously hosted the Malaysian GP at Sepang from 1999 to 2017 before the race was dropped from the F1 calendar.
Meanwhile, Azhan said the venue bars motorcycles from entry during the Bahrain GP, as part of a traffic management plan with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to ensure smooth traffic.
He said that since the circuit opened 27 years ago, unrestricted access to all types of vehicles has been a major factor of severe traffic congestion every time a mega motorsport event is held.
“From 1999 until now, we have not been very strategic in terms of traffic control as we allowed all vehicles to enter, resulting in heavy traffic flow and congestion in and out of the circuit.
“This time we are restricting private vehicles and prohibiting members of the public from entering the SIC on motorcycles to reduce congestion, while making it easier for police to control traffic.”
Azhan Shafriman said only vehicles with valid parking stickers or passes would be allowed through the checkpoints and into the circuit’s parking area.
For those without parking passes, he suggested they use public transport and e-hailing services.
He added that 115 free shuttle buses would be provided through a collaboration with Rapid KL at four strategic locations, namely, KLIA Terminal 2, KLIA Long-Term Car Park (LCTP), Mitsui Outlet Park, and Bandar Enstek.
“In addition to the 115 buses at the four external hubs, SIC is also providing 30 free shuttle buses within the circuit, which will operate non-stop from 7am to midnight,” he added.
Meanwhile, KLIA police chief Ravi Munusamy said roadblocks and diversions would be activated at eight checkpoints from tomorrow morning.
He said 700 personnel will be assigned to manage traffic and patrol the circuit to ensure visitors’ safety and comfort.
“Not only certain zones, all areas within SIC require a valid ticket for entry. My advice is that, if you do not have an event ticket or a vehicle parking sticker, don’t come because you will surely not be allowed to enter and will be turned away immediately,” Ravi added.
