SIC to improve circuit ahead of MotoGP event this year

Motorsports event organisers, Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd (SIC) will be carrying out circuit improvement works in a few months time.

"These improvements are based on feedback received from the MotoGP teams who came for pre-season test sessions at the circuit on Tuesday.

"After discussions with the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and MotoGP's commercial rights holder, Dorna, the SIC and its contractor have identified the problem on the circuit and will carry out improvement works in May or June," said SIC chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali when met by reporters at the SIC Media Centre yesterday.

On Tuesday, most of the MotoGP teams present at the circuit could not fully utilise the eight-hour trial period beginning 10am, as the track was damp due to heavy rain earlier that morning.

They began the test sessions in the afternoon, after the circuit was completely dry.

"The works do not involve the whole circuit, only certain portions.

"This new asphalt concrete is slow to dry and has its own characteristics compared to the previous one used. The contractor will place sealants in the areas and bends that have been identified," said Razlan.

According to him, the FIM will return to the Sepang circuit for an inspection in July, before Malaysia hosts the 17th round of Grand Prix Motorcycle racing from Oct 27 to 29.

For the record, the 5.543km track had just undergone maintenance works between February and May, last year.

After the works, the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) was the first world-class event held there in May, followed by the Grand Prix Formula One and Motorcycle Grand Prix, in October. -- Bernama