by George Thomas

t the season-ending Malaysian Grand Prix this month, Germany's Michael Schumacher will drive away with the coveted Formula 1 driving title. But the biggest winner of all might turn out to be Malaysia's budding sport tourism campaign.

With the memory of last year's emotionally charged conclusion still fresh in their minds, some 40,000 foreign race fans' from Europe to Japan are expected to descend on Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Oct. 20-22 for the final round of the Formula 1 tour.

Sports tourism has become an important pillar of the Malaysian government's economic development strategy. Each year, special allocations are made in the government budget to support and promote such events. As part of that effort, the country is bidding to host the 2006 Asian Games and is quite happy with the prospect of Mike Tyson boxing in Kuala Lumpur next year.

Hosting the F1 final round at the sparkling US$100 million facility is intended to raise Malaysia's profile on the world stage - both as a car racing venue and a tourism destination. Malaysia is one of only 17 sites on an elite circuit that includes such racing shrines as Monaco and Silverstone.

"I know some may question the rationale behind building such a racing facility at times like this," Mahathir said at the inauguration of the Sepang track last year, "but if they were to consider the benefits we will gain, they will realize what a fantastic opportunity this is."

"I know some may question the rationale behind building such a racing facility at times like this, but if they were to consider the benefits we will gain, they will realize what a fantastic opportunity this is." Prime Minister Mahathir

Malaysia is already cashing in on that opportunity.

At the 1999 Malaysian Grand Prix last October, the state-of-the-art SIC drew more than 20,000 paying foreign spectators, was voted Best Grand Prix Organizer and set a standard for other tracks to follow. The circuit impressed the drivers, and the spectator facilities are considered among the best in the world.

Visitors came mainly from Europe, Japan and other Asia Pacific countries. Another 300 million people in 126 countries saw the event on television. And, perhaps most importantly, the race generated US$144 million in direct spending for the Malaysian economy, according to a study by the University of Malaya.

Last year's race ended in controversy when Ferrari's Eddie Irvine was disqualified three hours after finishing first. The Ferrari's deflector boards were said to have exceeded the regulations on aerodynamics. McLaren's Mika Hakkinen was handed the award, which the Ferrari team snatched back in a subsequent appeal.

The two teams battled for the championship again this year, with Ferrari's Schumacher clinching the title with a victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Oct. 8. Hakkinen, trailing by 12 points, cannot catch Schumacher even with a win in Malaysia.

Building on the success of last year's event, the spectator facilities are being upgraded for Round 17 at Sepang. In addition to 32,000 covered seats at the spectacular double-sided grandstand, roofing is being added over another 43,000 seats to make the SIC the world's largest covered circuit. Additional food, beverage and entertainment outlets at a 4,000-square-meter second mall also are in the works.

On Friday, Oct. 20, the first timed sessions will be held between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The second timed session the next morning will be followed by the official qualifying event at 1 p.m. On race day, competitors warm up in the morning before a support race is held. There is further build-up from 12:10 p.m. with a drivers' parade and opening ceremony until the main event is flagged-off at 3 p.m.

Prices of three-day tickets range from US$420 each for sections of the upper tier of the covered mall area to US$53 for an uncovered portion of the F1 Village. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are priced from US$315 to US$40. Single-day tickets at US$100 are only for uncovered areas.

Agents in about 30 countries including Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan have been offering Grand Prix packages, although most business class hotels in Kuala Lumpur reported full bookings for the F1 season as early as August. A sample package includes round-trip airport transfers, hotel accommodation, two-day round-trip transfer to the Circuit and post-race cocktails. Two-night to six-night package prices range from $225 to $1,150.

A gala dinner on Oct. 19th will see competitors mingle with the city's social elite. A charity golf tournament is being organized for the following Monday morning at the Saujana Golf & Country Club.

For more information:
Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd
Jalan Pekeliling
64000 KLIA
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +60-3 8526-2000
Fax: +60-3 8526-1020
Email: sic@malaysiangp.com.my
Web site: www.malaysiangp.com.my