Kuala Lumpur - Let me start by saying that I’m more a four-wheel than a two-wheel kinda guy. And I prefer Formula One to the bike equivalent, MotoGP.
I prefer my wheels with a boot and back seat, and don’t understand the appeal of tunnel vision through a helmet visor, or getting soaked in the rain, or being used as bonus points by taxi drivers.
But the real appeal of MotoGP, even to a non-biker like myself, is not just the sheer acceleration the bikes display or the showmanship of the riders, but the wide-openness of the racing itself. Compared to F1, where street circuits like Monaco tend to become parades of metal with zero overtaking opportunities, MotoGP is about skill, speed and bravery with overtaking opportunities aplenty.
Having been to a few F1 races across the globe, it became a personal mission to try to get to just one MotoGP.
The Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang is not new to the calendar and as a venue is no stranger to motorsport circles. It also plays host to an F1 event. Compared with other motorsport-hosting countries, Malaysia makes for an interesting proposition for a few reasons. Firstly, even though humid, it never gets cold there – whether you do the F1 in March or the MotoGP in October, you’re in for a very similar climate.
The local currency, the ringgit, is also far kinder to the rand than say the euro or the pound, with around R3 getting you one ringgit (an average Burger King meal costs 15 ringgits). As a shopping and tourism destination, Malaysia is also high up there, offering tax-free zones in cities like Kuala Lumpur and various world-class attractions, both inland and coastal. It’s also the ninth most-visited country on the planet.
If you like spicy food and a diversity of ethnic groups, you’ll enjoy this country, not to mention that everybody speaks English – which is a huge bonus.
The Sepang circuit has a lot of tropical character too. It was built on a 260 hectare oil palm plantation with the theme being a natural stadium, architecture reminiscent of huge leaves covering the grandstands and more than 5 000 palm trees planted for the opening in 1999. The track itself is 5.54km long, with 15 corners and eight straights, and it’s heaven for overtaking opportunities, thanks to a minimum track width of 16m (the widest piece expands to 22m).
It’s also quite easy to access via rail or highway and is situated 85km from Kuala Lumpur (which makes it very close to the international airport). The facility can take up to 130 000 spectators.
This year’s MotoGP event was just about sold out, and the atmosphere among race fans relaxed and jovial.
Between the track’s long straights is the grandstand, offering a view on either side of some high-speed action and between this is the main merchandise and entertainment drag (along with a museum and restaurant closer to the entrance). The design takes into account the numbers, and unlike say the Nurburgring or Silverstone, where you feel a little claustrophobic, Sepang has ample room to move and breath.
Being guests of Tourism Malaysia and Singapore Airlines, we had access to an air-conditioned area, but as good as this sounds you really want to be in the stands, and preferably on a slower corner, to enjoy both the action and the atmosphere. Unlike an F1 race, which can go on for hours, MotoGP tends to run around 20 laps and finishes quite quickly – meaning you need to bed your viewing spot down and stay there.
The biggest surprise, watching the race from the roof of the pit building, was the scream of the engines. I’m talking a roof-rattling, ear-plug roar from those purpose-built, pure-bred racing machines.
The racing itself lived up to expectations, and after spending two days at the track watching lots of practice, qualifying and racing I can understand why bikers consider this their holy grail in terms of motorsport. Me, I still prefer four wheels, thank you.
Malaysia is a great destination, even if you’re not a petrolhead. My suggestion is: Go there with your significant other, take in the race, then take in the culture and the cuisine. And the shopping, which is among the best in the world. - Saturday Star