SIC optimistic of wrapping up new F1 organising contract

Motorsport race organisers Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd (SIC) are optimistic that the uncertainty behind their contract to hold Formula One (F1) races can be finalised.

"I just finished a meeting with our main sponsor (title sponsor) and we are trying our best to sign the contract before the F1 race here next week," said it's chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali.

He said the contract extension issue was still under discussion.

"This contract is a new contract and not just a renewal. If we sign this new contract, we must protect our own interests and ensure we get what we want.

"What we want is to make organising this race interesting every year. Perhaps in previous years there were certain restrictions imposed on us and we want them removed (from the contract)," he said.

According to him, the decision on the renewal of the contract will be known before or after the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix scheduled from March 27 to 29.

Razlan had said at the signing of a memorandum of understanding with eyeware suppliers Rudy Project on March 5 that the new contract had to be flexible.

The conditions given to Formula One Management (FOM) will have a financial impact although the organising fees were still the same as agreed, but there were incidental costs that should not be borne.

Earlier, Razlan attended the announcement ceremony regarding traffic flow management on race day and the promotion of public transport packages in conjunction with the race.

Seeing that SIC will once again receive thousands of motorsport fans, Razlan advised those who were driving themselves to Sepang International Circuit to abide all traffic rules and guidelines established by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).

Spectators will also be encouraged to use public transport to get to Sepang International Circuit.

They can use RapidKL's feeder bus service which will operate from KL Sentral and KLCC with RM18 for a one-way trip or RM 30 for return, and from KLIA and KLIA2 with RM10 one-way fares.

Besides that spectators can also choose alternatives, like using Express Rail Link's ERL Transit service for a one-way fare of RM38 including feeder bus service.

Express Rail Link has also introduced two- and three-day return packages respectively priced at RM123 and RM153.