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Wednesday October 21, 2009

Exclusive starting grid passes for eight lucky fans

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: The Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix will be one of the most interactive experiences for fans converging at the circuit in Sepang this weekend.

The Sepang International Circuit (SIC), the organisers and promoters of the prestigious annual world motorcycle championship, will be offering starting grid passes to eight lucky spectators.

The SIC chief executive officer, Razlan Razali, said that it was the first time Dorna, the rights holders of MotoGP, are providing the exclusive passes for a Malaysian GP.

Malaysia first played host to the world motorcycle championships in 1991 at the Batu Tiga circuit in Shah Alam.

Sepang is the penultimate stop of a 17-round championships this year.

“This is a money can’t buy experience for the lucky fans. The starting grid is only accessible to certain people and even the media is restricted,” said Razlan.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the lucky fans to get up close and meet the riders before the race begins.”

The SIC are also organising a pit walkabout session on Friday and all the teams will display their bikes with their riders for fans to take photos and possibly get an autograph or two. The one-hour session begins at 10.30am.

There is no charge for admission to Friday practice sessions.

The riders will also have a 30-minute autograph-signing session the following day from noon at the Welcome Centre at the SIC. Until yesterday, Dorna have a confirmed list of 17 riders, including most from the MotoGP, for the session.

Razlan hopes that ticket sales will continue to pick up over the next few days.

“We also have a concert, headlined by our queen of rock Ella and top Indonesian band Nidji, taking place shortly after the MotoGP race,” he said.

“Of course, our headline act for the 19th edition of the Malaysian GP is the participation of our two Malaysian wildcard riders in the 125cc class — Elly Idzlianizar Ilias and Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin.

”With these two boys racing under Air Asia Team Malaysia banner, we hope to attract more spectators this time.”

In the previous round in Australia last Sunday, Spaniard Julian Simon of Team Banjaca Aspar was crowned as the new world champion in the 125cc class.

And Sepang is set to be the stage for Italian Valentino Rossi to claim his seventh world title in the premier class. Rossi holds a 38-point advantage over Yamaha Racing team-mate Jorge Lorenzo of Spain.

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