Berita Litar - SIC Offers Special RM200 Formula 1 Grandstand Tickets Beginning Today

Sepang International Circuit (SIC), promoter and organizer of the 2013 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix, is offering a special RM200 Main Grandstand three-day package tickets excluding admin fee(RM3) to 1Malaysia Privilege Card holders and four other cards beginning today.

Open for purchases of seats at Tower North, Tower South, Topaz and Citrine, the four other eligible cards are the ‘Kad Diskaun Siswa 1Malaysia’,’Kad Pesara Tentera’, ‘Kad Orang Kurang Upaya’ and the ‘Kad Skuad Pengguna’, which is issued by Bank Rakyat.

“The offer is however, limited to direct purchases at selected outlets only. Immediately, these card holders can purchase their tickets at our ticket booths situated at KL Sentral, Suria KLCC and at our Customer Service Counter at SIC.

“They can also purchase these tickets at our F1 roadshows, which we will be announcing the locations very soon,” SIC Chief Executive Officer Dato Razlan Razali said in a statement today.

According to’Dato’ Razlan, the offer would only be for 5,000 tickets; and that in the event that the entire allocation is not taken up ending March 17, which is a week before the staging of the race.

The 2013 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix would be held from March 20 to 22 as Round 2 of the new Formula 1 World Championship season which would open in Melbourne, Australia on the preceding weekend.  

Dato’ Razlan added: “To purchase, fans would need to show their IC and their related cards at the locations as mentioned earlier.  Each card holder can only purchase a maximum of four cards under this promotional programme.

“Tickets purchased under this promotion would allow access to the F1 after-race concert at SIC Helipad which would feature the legendary rock band Guns & Roses,” he said, adding that fans can also indulge themselves in a host of exciting off-track activities at the circuit during the three-day event.

The activities included ultimate taxi ride, drifting, rallying, go- karting and ATV experience as well as a round shopping experience of motorsports and F1 merchandise items and paraphilia; apart from the world class performance from the world’s best drivers in the world’s fastest cars. 

Twenty two drivers from 11 teams would be locking horns in upstaging each other including defending Malaysian Grand Prix champion Fernando Alonso who would be looking to make history in winning his fourth title in Sepang, three-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes GP Petronas new recruit Lewis Hamilton. 

Marking the 15^th edition of F1 race in Malaysia, the 2012 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix will be an exhilarating affair of world class racing, entertainment and street parties; and an unrivalled experience shopping extravaganza and enjoying Malaysia’s scenic beauty and tropical weather.

Events that had been lined up for the celebrations included the Malaysian GP Sale, concerts by international artists, autoshow, the F1 Gala Dinner and the PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix Showcase.

Facing the back straight of a unique double-frontage Sepang Circuit, seats at Tower South, Topaz and Citrine provide excellent views from the sharp Turn 9 and through a series of fast corners at Turn 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 before the cars would go full speed on a long straight into the final Turn 15.

Tickets for seats at Topaz zone are currently selling at RM773 while Citrine and Tower South are priced at RM553. 

Also priced at RM553, Tower North, on the other hand, faces the start of the front straight; allowing spectators to catch the start of the race as well as the team mechanics and crew members making their final preparation before the start.  

Fans can purchase their tickets by calling SIC TICKET HOTLINE at 603-87782222 or by logging into the circuit’s official website at www.sepangcircuit.com. Don't forget to log on to www.oneticket.com.my to enjoy your One Ticket Unlimited privileges.

Berita Litar - Zulfahmi Ends Season in Style with Second Podium Win

Muhammad ZulfahmiKhairuddin closed his 2012 season in style by taking his second career podium win at the Valencia Grand Prix after finishing third in a thrilling race which saw the Malaysian Moto3 rider and race winner Danny Kent winning their positions in a sensational maneuver on the final turn of the contest.

In collecting his second podium of the season and another 16 precious championship points, Zulfahmi, who scored his first podium at his home Grand Prix in Sepang last month, climbed to seventh in the Moto3 world standings with a total haul of 128 points.

Starting from 17th on the grid, the AirAsia SIC Ajo Racing rider takes a cautious approach in the race as he kept close to the leading group throughout the 25-lap contest; and only started to attack in the last five laps as the 21-year old Malaysian chalked a string of fastest laps.

With three laps to go, Zulfahmi briefly took place behind the Red Bull KTM Ajo Racing dynamic duo of SandroCortese and Danny Kent as the Malaysian passed South African Brad Binder, who however, fought back to third.

The position remained until the final lap and the last Turn 14 when both Kent and Zulfahmi made their daring passing maneuvers; overtaking Cortese and Binder respectively to give the Banting-born rider a well-deserved podium win.

Interviewed at the parc femme, Zulfahmi said that he had to take a cautious approach due to the track’s wet and slippery conditions, which was something that he never favoured.

“I was very careful at the start and just follow the leaders … I saw some riders crashing out; so I become more careful until the final stages of the races. I took a big risk on the final turn and I am happy to win my second podium.

“I would like to say sorry to Brad (for denying him a podium) … now, I look forward for next year,” said Zulfahmi, who was named as the Most Improved Rider for Moto3 by the world championship official website www.motogp.com After The Flag programme.

Kent won the race in 45 minutes 5.891 seconds; crossing the finishing line just 0.056 seconds ahead of world champion Cortese and 0.114 seconds infront of Zulfahmi. They were joined on the podium by Aki Ajo, the team principal of Ajo Motorsports, who celebrated a grand occasion with all his three riders on the podium.

2012 also marked a grand season for Zulfahmi’s key sponsor Sepang International Circuit (SIC), with the 2012 Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix named as the Best MotoGP Event for the Year.

Interviewed later, Zulfahmi said that the results today were unbelievable as he had to struggle in Friday’s free practice and in qualifying yesterday.

“From 17 to third is undoubted a great result … I can’t believe that I managed to get to the podium. I am very happy to win my second podium in my career.

“I am now so looking forward for next year … it would be more competitive; but I will be ready … And, I also feel so happy when I know SIC won the MotoGP of the Year award. It’s just great,” said Zulfahmi, who would be representing SIC at the awards ceremony later today.

Berita Litar - Proton R3 in Prime Position to Seal MSS Title in Sepang Tomorrow

MALAYSIAN SUPER SERIES BIKES – ROUND 4 – QUALIFYING

Proton R3 Racing dynamic duo – Syafiq Ali and James Veerapan looked set to seal their Malaysian Super Series (MSS) title in Sepang tomorrow as they continue to top competition in the Malaysian Touring Car Challenge with another amazing performance in qualifying at Round 4 today.

The duo, who won all the previous races in all the rounds and amassed a maximum of 125 points, clocked 2 minutes 40.362 seconds in the Proton Satria Neo machine around the 5.543-km track to top the time sheets for the class; sending a clear message of their intentions to wrap the championship battle tomorrow with a round to spare.

The final round would be held from December 2 – 4 where the MSS cars would be reverting back to sprint races in a two-race format.

Soh Kee Koon, who is currently fourth in the overall standings with 40 points, was second fastest in the class with a time of 2 minutes 40.520 seconds as he faced a mountainous task to stop Proton R3 Racing from an early celebration.

The race returned its one-hour endurance format for this round; giving the opportunity for the Proton R3 partnership to change drivers while Soh, the former MSS Supersaloon champion, having the need to go alone throughout the 60-minute battle.

On that note, the partnership of Richard Gomes and Alvaro Maurato would be in a better position to challenge the championship leaders. Driving a Proton Satria Neo as well, the partnership from Tedco Racing was third in qualifying today with a time of 2 minutes 42.012 seconds.

Currently second in the MTCC overall standings with 49 points, Kok Pak Chiang and Sutan Mustaffa Salihin could only manage a fifth fastest time in qualifying with a time 2 minutes 43.388 seconds in their Proton Gen 2 machine.

Scheduled for 3.40pm tomorrow, the MTCC race would run together with competitors from GT Open, Sports Production and Touring Production classes.

In the premier GT class, Frank Yu of Craft Eurasia Racing was fastest in qualifying with a time of 2 minutes 9.414 seconds in his Aston Martin GT3 machine. He would start in the front row tomorrow alongside Vignesa Moorthy, who was second fastest with a lap time of 2 minutes 11.694 seconds in a Radical.

In the Sports Production Class, Zen Low of FX Primus Aylezo Motorsports could also have an early celebrations based on his performance in qualifying today.

Currently leading the class with 105 points and holding a 43-point advantage over his closest rival, Bruce Lee, the Sarawak-born driver was fastest in qualifying today; clocking 2 minutes 25.593 seconds. Bruce was second fastest with a time of 2 minutes 28.695 seconds; but was more than three seconds slower than Zen.

The Touring Production class looked set for an exciting battle tomorrow between two awesome partnerships - Hidehatu Kutoki and Perajun Krishnan in their Honda DC5; and Lai Wee Sing and Tan Lye Wee in a Honda FD2 machine.

Kutoki and Perajun had the faster car in qualifying; but was only 0.144 seconds ahead of Lai and Tan, who clocked 2 minutes 32.127 seconds.

Apart from the MSS car categories, tomorrow’s schedule would also feature a host of international class support races - the Asian Classic Car Championship, Touring Car Championship Asia, the Hong Kong Touring Car Championship, VW Scirocco Series and the Westfield Sportscar Series.

This year’s MSS is supported Iktikadraya – the distributor of alpinestars; Panta Racing Fuel; MAXIM oil lubricants, NITRON shock absorber, DID racing chain, Kawasaki, Pirelli, Michelin, DNA air filter for bikes, XAM sprocket, SBS brake and On The Road, which is the official magazine for the series.

MALAYSIAN SUPER SERIES CARS – ROUND

Top Five Qualifiers
Sepang Circuit – 5.543km

GT Open Class
1.Frank Yu (Aston Martin GT3) 2:09.414
2. Vignesa Moorthy (Radical) 2:11.694
3. Samson Chan (Ginetta G50z GT3) 2:12.585
4. Noel Becker (Radical) 2:15.230
5. Rhommell Singh (Juno) 2:15.708

Sports Production Class
1.Zen Low (Lotus) 2:25.593
2. Bruce Lee (Lotus) 2:28.695
3. Steven Chian (Ferrari F360) 2:29.411
4. Muhammad Rafie/ Freddie Ang (Lotus Exige) 2:31.071
5. Tan Kok Ho (Lotus) 2:34.230

Touring Production Class
1.Hidehatu Kutoki/ K.Perajun (Honda Integra DC5) 2:31.983
2. Lai Wee Siang/ Tan Lye Wee (Honda FD2) 2:32.127
3. Damian Dielenberg (Honda Integra DC5) 2:32.470
4. A.Kesavamoorthy/Michael Raj (Honda Integra DC5) 2:34.562
5. Shamir Kumar Nandy (Honda Integra DC5) 2:39.523s

Malaysian Touring Car Challenge
1.Syafiq Ali/ James Veerapan (Proton Satria Neo) 2:40.362
2. Soh Kee Koon (Toyota Altis) 2:40.520
3. Ricardo Lopes/Alvora Mourato (Proton Satria Neo) 2:42.012
4. Ahmad Faizry/ Juzaili Jasmay (Proton Satria Neo) 2:43.122
5. Kok Pak Chiang/ Sutan Mustaffa (Proton Gen 2) 2:43.388

Berita Litar: Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2012 - SIC Jangka 70,000 Banjri Litar Sepang

Peneraju utama acara Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) menjangkakan sejumlah 70,000 penonton bakal membanjiri litar kebanggaan negara tersebut pada hari perlumbaan untuk edisi ke-22 Malaysian Motocycle GP pada bulan hadapan.

Kemeriahan dan kebanggaan ini turut dikongsi oleh organisasi bank terbesar di Malaysia, Maybank yang turut menjadi rakan usahasama untuk Malaysian GP tahun ini. Seperti yang semua sedia maklum, Maybank sejak 21 tahun lalu telah menyumbang tajaan kepada jenama-jenama besar.

Maybank yang merupakan jenama terulung di rantau ini akan memenuhi ruang pengiklanan dan turut memberikan beberapa faedah untuk pelbagai aktiviti sepanjang acara termasuklah yang melibatkan VIP.

Dengan menyertai promosi bersama SIC, Maybank juga turut menawarkan diskaun istimewa  untuk pemegang kad keahliannya dan turut mengadakan peraduan yang menawarkan hadiah sebuah Benelli Naked Bike TNT899 serta pakej percutian untuk dua orang ke Grand Prix di Valencia pada November.

Zulfahmi Optimis Di Catalunya

Perlumbaan kelima MotoGP yang bakal berlangsung di Litar Catalunya hujung minggu ini dilihat mampu memberi kelebihan buat pelumba Moto3 negara, Zulfahmi Khairuddin. Zulfahmi yang berada di tangga kesembilan pada ketika ini mampu berada di kedudukan podium selepas mencatatkan prestasi terbaiknya di Litar Estoril pada 6 Mei yang lepas.

Keupayaan beliau menempatkan diri di kalangan pelumba barisan hadapan pada perlumbaan MotoGP ketiga di Estoril dengan menduduki tempat keempat sekaligus mengutip 13 mata nyata telah membuka lembaran baru dalam sejarah perlumbaan MotoGP buat Malaysia. Walaupun tidak berjaya menamatkan perlumbaan di Le Mans pada 20 Mei yang lalu, beliau tetap optimis akan mengulangi kejayaannya seperti di Estoril.

“Sekiranya keadaan litar di Catalunya baik dan jentera saya tidak menghadapi sebarang masalah, saya yakin akan menamatkan perlumbaan pada hujung minggu ini dengan baik dan tidak mengecewakan rakyat Malaysia,” katanya.

Selepas berehat hampir seminggu, Zulfahmi yang telah mengumpul 29 mata sepanjang empat perlumbaan MotoGP musim ini akan berlumba di Catalunya dan membawa harapan rakyat Malaysia yang ingin melihatnya menjejakkan kaki ke podium.

Gambar: SIC