After the decision to halt the hosting of Formula 1 race in Malaysia, SIC has decided to pull the plug on hosting the World Superbike race too.
SIC Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Razlan Razali has confirmed that the numbers for the World Superbike have been disappointing, and that they are not making profit from the race. However, SIC will continue to host the Grand Prix motorcycle racing event (MotoGP) until 2021.
“With SIC’s contract to host the WorldSBK coming to an end, we decided not to continue hosting this event in Sepang,” Dato’ Razlan Razali said. “Due to the current financial climate and SIC’s financial commitments to improve our existing facilities as well as build new ones, it is the most prudent decision at this point.”
However, with the F1 and World Superbike series out of the picture, the SIC risks becoming a “white elephant”, an expensive venue that will no longer be of much use to the public.
But Dato’ Razlan begs to differ, he assured everyone that SIC is currently in the midst of planning a brand new set of activities and projects that will employ the SIC and make sure it remains pertinent. He also mentioned that the circuit is still in popular demand for other sporting activities from the public, and that will help to rake in revenue.
“I assure you that the SIC will not be a white elephant.” Dato’ Razali told Kosmo. “Although we will no longer be hosting the F1 and WSBK, the SIC is still occupied for activities each. And it’s occupancy rate is almost 90%.”
One of the activities that Dato’ Razali said we could expect in the future is a Sepang circuit safety program, which will be done in collaboration with JPJ ( Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan).
“F1 is out of the picture because it was costing way too much money. But we will make up for it with other events. For now, hosting the MotoGP is the most sensible thing, it’s the only event that is still popular and bringing in the crowd.” he added.
Apart from that, Dato Razali also said that SIC will be working to rectify some issues that have been brought to his attention regarding the safety of the circuit.
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