With a 38-point advantage in the World Championship after his podium finish and a crash for rival Jorge Lorenzo at Phillip Island, Valentino Rossi knows a seventh premier class title is ever closer.

Second place at the Iveco Australian Grand Prix was enough for Valentino Rossi to extend his lead at the top of the MotoGP World Championship standings, after title rival and Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo crashed out on lap one of the race.

Rossi saw his advantage at the summit of the rankings cut to 18 points after the Spaniard’s win at Estoril, but an eleventh podium of the season – comprised of six wins, four runner-up spots and a third place – stretched his lead to 38 points after Phillip Island.

Casey Stoner took victory at his home circuit for the third year in a row, and Rossi acknowledged the Australian’s quality as well as the significance of Lorenzo’s DNF.

“I read on my board that Lorenzo was out, so I tried for the victory. Casey set a good pace, but my bike setting was good so I tried to follow him at 100%, but also had to remember not to make any mistakes for the championship after Lorenzo’s crash. It was a great battle. I tried, at one part of the race it was possible to attack, but at the end it was too risky and anyway Casey had a great race.”

“These 20 points are so important for my championship. I have to thank Yamaha and all the guys in my team because we worked well this weekend and now we have a 38-point advantage with two races to go and we will try to do better next week in Sepang.”

Rossi knows that the 2009 title is imminent and that he could clinch it in Malaysia, “I think with 38 points it’s possible. Sepang is a great circuit, one of my favourites and I like it a lot. Usually the Yamaha is very strong over there, so I’m quite confident. We have to keep the concentration. We have the first match point for the championship but we have to remain focused and try to improve the result. This is one of the best second places of my career.”

This year’s Malaysian MotoGP is expected to be the most interactive ever where fans can be more than spectators and be presented with a money can’t buy experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the riders and teams through the various activities that will be organized by Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

“This year we have teamed up with some of the region’s most popular artists to ensure fans are treated to a perpetual MotoGP high with a concert made up of some of the region’s biggest artists,” said Razlan Razali, SIC CEO.

The concert promises a breathtaking performance by artists from Malaysia’s queen of rock - Ella, top Indonesian band Nidji, Jinbara and Hujan on Sunday the 25th at 4.30pm.

Rob Caudill who is known to be the best Rod Stewart impersonator in the world will have his audience up on their feet with his high energy and not to be missed performance on Saturday the 24th Oct at 1.30pm and Sunday the 25th Oct at 2pm.

Amongst the exciting on and off track programmes to look forward to are:

·                     Autograph sessions with the riders on Oct 24

·                     Bikes Showcases

·                     2 wheels stunt shows

·                     Guided garage tours

·                     Taxi rides on the track in MotoGP Official Safety Car

·                     Race side by side the MotoGP riders in a special go kart event

To ensure that fans have all the convenience of transportation, SIC has taken the necessary measures to provide circuit transfers in collaboration with SkyBus at strategic pick up points in Klang Valley, Nilai, LCCT and KLIA. Tickets are priced reasonably from RM4 to RM15 per way. Parking fees for cars and bikes are priced respectively at RM5.00 and RM2.00 per entry.

Malaysian MotoGP tickets are only RM80 for Main Grandstand and RM30 for K1 Grandstand. Paddock Village passes is RM2,000 for 2 days access with complete set of hospitality in our Paddock Club suites.

These tickets are available at SIC ticket outlets in SIC, KL Sentral, Kiosk in LCCT and www.sepangcircuit.com or visit our ticket agents

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