REVIEW – 2008 POLINI MALAYSIAN MOTOGP 

To many, the just-concluded 2008 Polini Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix was perhaps one of the best ever bike GPs that Malaysia has ever seen since 1991. Sepang International Circuit (SIC) new Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali, though, believes that there were plenty more areas that could be further improved and making the event more spectacular.

“Without doubt, it could have been much better. After 17 years, the event deserves bigger recognition,” Razlan said, adding that his immediate priority would be to start planning for the 2009 race, which would again feature as the penultimate round of the world series in October next year.

“I have always followed the MotoGP closely over the years and I am always excited when the race comes to Malaysia. I sincerely feel that the event deserves a stronger recognition; and that it would be the mission for the circuit next year … to give the event the recognition that it deserved,” said Razlan, who is widely known for his love for motorcycling and bike racing; and previously the team principal for Pineapple Racing Team in the Malaysian Super Series prior to his appointment on October 8.  

Targeting an attendance of 70,000, the 2008 event drew a total of 50,152 spectators over the three days with 38,560 people at the circuit to witness 250cc rider Italian Marco Simoncelli joining compatriot Valentino Rossi and Mike de Meglio of France as the 2008 world champions. A total of 7,371 spectators were at the track under rainy conditions on Saturday and 4.221 spectators on Friday, which also under rainy conditions.

Despite coming out short of its target, the 2008 Polini Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix made a huge impact on crowd presence especially within the 11,500-people-capacity K1 Grandstand, which saw a full house during the race yesterday (Sunday, October 19). It was a view that was not even seen in the more popular Formula One race in Sepang. 

“We know for a fact that we had more spectators this year as compared to 2007, which had some 36,000 spectators on Race Day and about 43,000 for the weekend. The attendance was good; but for an event like the MotoGP, it should have attracted even more people and fans,” he said.

Admittedly, it would be impossible for Malaysia to create similar atmosphere as in Europe or Australia. Simply because, it never had a rider that could compete at that level; to be among the contenders for the podium.

2008 Polini Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix was perhaps one of the best ever

In fact, Malaysia have not even had a wild card entry for quite some time – something that Razlan felt as being strange in view of long tradition of the event in Malaysia and the abundance in local talent; given the huge population of bikers in the country.

“It is something that we aim to change within the next two years - now that we have signed for two more years with Dorna. Hopefully, we can even do it next year in 2009 – to have Malaysian riders on the starting grid as wild card entries in the 125cc and the 250cc,” said Razlan, adding that he hoped the extension of the promoters’ agreement would mark a new beginning for the Malaysian GP in Malaysia.    

Razlan said he aimed to inject more life into the Malaysian GP; making the event full of happenings and with bigger hype and more exposure in the media to get Malaysians more excited about the Malaysian GP. 

 “It is of common knowledge that we need to promote the event as a family outing; with plenty of interesting off-track events so that the entire family have things to look forward to at the circuit other than enjoying a showcase of world class racing. We need to give more reasons for families to come to the circuit and not just to watch the race,” Razlan said.  

In wooing the crowd this year, SIC had roped in the skills of world renowned stunt rider Humberto Rubeiro and Malaysia’s top comedian Nabil as among its off-track activities including offering a RM21,000 Kawasaki 250 and three Naza bikes as lucky draw prizes.

While agreeing that the programmes made an impact at this year’s race, the former international concerts promoter insisted that the event needed more of such attractions to draw the necessary impact; apart from looking into some other areas of weaknesses.   

An area that Razlan admitted that SIC would need to improve would on the customer service; public transportation especially on the publicity on the transportation information in creating wider awareness among the fans on the facilities available for them to come the circuit.

While congratulating the staff for a commendable job in organising the event; Razlan stressed the need for the circuit to continue upgrading their standards to take the Malaysian GP to a higher level.

“We need to work harder. We need to get more involvement and support from corporate companies and the media. The motorsports fraternity needs to increase their efforts further in developing the sports and the riders. Clearly, there’s plenty more work to be done and plenty more goals to achieve,”  added Razlan.

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