MANILA, Philippines - With lucrative travel packages and sales discounts currently on offer throughout Malaysia as the nation hosts its Visit Malaysia Year 2014 (VMY 2014) program, the upcoming 2014 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in March is an event not to be missed by any motorsports fan.
“It’s a case of a 2-in-1 offer package – you get the best of Malaysian hospitality at discounted prices and an unrivalled motorsports experience at one of the world’s best racing circuit. In fact, it would be more than just motorsports experience in Sepang. It’s a host of everything extraordinary as ‘Sepang Comes Alive’ at the 16th edition of the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix,†says SIC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Razlan Razali.
Malaysia hosts Round 2 of the 2014 Formula 1 World Championship from March 28 to 30—two weeks after the season-opener in Melbourne, Australia. Despite being the second round, Sepang is traditionally hailed as the opening round as it is held at an actual race circuit, offering the real excitement for pure racing fans.
Tickets for the world class event are as low as P900, making Sepang, which first hosted the prestigious race in 1999, one the most affordable venues in F1. Main Grandstand tickets, which provides excellent viewing at vantage points are priced between P26,030 and P9,860.
Razlan said: “At Sepang, fans can witness the F1 teams and drivers pushing their machines to the limit as they battle around the slick, challenging racing circuit. It would be totally different from the contest at Albert Park.
“And, you will also experience plenty more than just the best of F1 excitement in Sepang. It’s a total experience of Malaysian carnival and food festival, shopping escapade, extreme sports, auto jamboree, entertainment, fun and games, a captivating opening ceremony gimmick and a post-race concert featuring world-renowned DJ, Calvin Harris as the main act,†he added.
To be staged at what is now a well-known concert venue—the SIC Helipad—the post-race concert will also feature other international and local acts such as Super8 & DJ Tab, Rasztooten, Imma*Bleep*Youup! and Ben Gold.
“Grandstand ticket holders as well those with C2 Hillstand tickets would get free admission to the concert. Those with C1, K2 and K3 Hillstand tickets would need to top up for the concert tickets.
“A special package of Hillstand tickets with concert is currently being offered at RM118,†Razlan said, adding that SIC are also selling stand-alone concert ticket at RM118 as a special early bird promotion which will end on January 31. Beginning February 1, prices for stand-alone concert tickets would be RM160 each.
For the very first time in the history of the event, the off-track attractions would feature special 3D exhibition at the Mall Area, which would trace back the history for Formula 1 in Malaysia for the last 15 years.
“We would be installing over 30 3D panels, which would be designed as the Walls of Fame and take the fans to experience a special Formula 1 journey,†Razlan said, adding that fans would also be treated to a special F1 3D Motion as the climax to 3D experience.
“After the walk-through exhibition, fans would be treated to a special 3D cinema on Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix,†said Razlan, who also announced that the popular Tourism Malaysia Pavilion, which showcases the wonders of Malaysia, would make its presence for a second consecutive year.
Over at the national capital in Kuala Lumpur, fans can indulge themselves in countless F1-theme activities and events including various meet-the-drivers sessions, the GP Street Demo and the open-for-public pre-race Twin Tower@LIVE concert, which would be held for two consecutive days on March 28 and 28 at the Petronas Twin Tower.
To be held on March 23, the PMGP Street Demo, would be held along the stretch in front of Suria KLCC at Jalan Ampang, featuring Mercedes Petronas GP Team as well as other racers from the Petronas-sponsored racing teams.
On track actions, Razlan said, they would be second to none.
While experts still placed four-time defending champion Sebastian Vettel as the main contender for this year’s crown, the Red Bull Racing driver is not expected to repeat his 2013 dominance in view of the sweeping new rules and instead to be closely challenged in his bid to win a fifth world title.
Set to inject the element of unpredictability and to play a strong determining factor in this year’s championship battle, the sweeping rule changes include the introduction of the new 1.6 litre turbo-powered engines, the energy recovery systems, the revised aerodynamics and the new ruling on racing fuel.
The return of former world champion Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari, taking over the seat vacated by Felipe Massa to partner two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has also added spice in this year’s competition, along with the continued partnership of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at Mercedes Petronas GP Team.
Adding further excitement for racing fans would be the opening rounds of the prestigious Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, which would feature some of the top drivers in the region, and the Malaysian Super Series – the national championship for track racing.
For more info, contact the National Press Officer, Norlina Ayob at norlina.ayob@sepangcircuit.com.