Sepang's F1 aims to lure nearly 4,000 Indonesians<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Sdn. Bhd. is
\naiming to attract nearly 4,000 Indonesians to watch the final leg
\nof the 2000 Formula 1 Grand Prix series in Malaysia in October.<\/p>\n
However, the company faces transportation problems and is
\nnegotiating with Southeast Asian countries flag carriers to add
\nextra flights to Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n
SIC general manager Hussin Mohd. Ali told a media briefing on
\nThursday he had discussed the possibility of adding flights
\naround the time of the race with representatives of Malaysian
\nAirlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airlines and Garuda Airlines
\nof Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"It's a big problem to bring so many spectators from Jakarta
\nto Kuala Lumpur as the seats are usually fully booked. Hopefully
\nthe problem can be solved soon, before the race begins," he said.<\/p>\n
Sepang -- which received the Best F1 Organizer Award for the
\nfirst race it hosted -- will stage the event from Oct. 20 to Oct.
\n22.<\/p>\n
A total of 80,000 spectators, of which 80 percent were
\nEuropeans, thronged the US$75 million circuit last year on race
\nday.<\/p>\n
Hussin hoped about 100,000 viewers would be present at the
\nworld's newest circuit on Oct. 22.<\/p>\n
"I'm optimistic that the number of spectators will increase in
\nOctober as Sepang is the final race of the season. The narrow
\npoints difference between Michael Schumacher of Ferrari and David
\nCoulthard and Mika Hakkinen of McLaren Mercedes will add to the
\nimportance of the race."<\/p>\n
"Usually the world champion is officially announced at the
\nfinal leg, which is in Sepang."<\/p>\n
Schumacher, who crashed after leaving the starting grid in the
\nfirst lap at Hockenheim on Sunday, is currently leading with 56
\npoints followed closely by Coulthard and Hakkinen with 54 points.<\/p>\n
The racers will compete in Hungary, Belgium, Italy, USA and
\nJapan before arriving in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
To accommodate the increased number of spectators, SIC has
\nincreased the number of covered seats from 40,000 to 75,000.<\/p>\n
"Last year many European spectators complained that they
\ncouldn't stand the heat and the sun during the race. That's the
\nmain reason why we have added the seats," Hussin said.<\/p>\n
Tickets priced between US$380 and $420 have been sold out for
\nmonths. There are still some available for between $26 and $370.<\/p>\n
Hussin said staging the expensive sport extravaganza brought
\nin large amounts of income for Malaysia.<\/p>\n
An official study conducted by Malaysia's oldest and premier
\nhigher learning institution, the University of Malaya, on the
\neconomic benefits of hosting the event said that last year's race
\ninjected $143.5 million directly into the Malaysian economy.<\/p>\n
Out of this figure, the largest single amount was spent on
\nshopping at $29.16 million, followed by accommodation at $23.5
\nmillion and food and drinks at $22.4 million. (yan)<\/p>",
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