News: SuperGT International Series 2008, Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
SIC Aims At The Biggest Race Ever
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In befitting the status as the biggest ever in its history, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) aims to make the Super GT International Series Malaysia as the best ever; securing no less than 65,000 spectators for the weekend.
Announcing this today, SIC Chairman Datuk Mokhzani Tun Dr Mahathir said the event, which would be held from June 20 to 22 and would feature five top class support races, is an event not to be missed by any motor racing fan.
"Like the participating teams and drivers, we at Sepang Circuit and motor racing fans in Malaysia are eagerly looking forward to this special event: The Super GT International Series Malaysia to be held next month at the circuit. This year will be the ninth edition of the Super GT race to be hosted by Sepang International Circuit. The event has grown bigger and captured more audience since its inaugural race.
"The 2008 edition is perhaps the biggest ever as we are featuring five support races. The latest would be the Aston Martin Cup, which I personally believe would grow and become one of the major series in the region," Mokhzani said at the official launch of the event today.
Held at the Youth and Sports Ministry, the launch was officiated by its Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob and was also attended by Japan GT Association Company Limited President and Chief Executive Officer Mr Masaaki Bandoh.
The other four races to join the Aston Martin Cup as the support races are the Asian Supercar Championship, the Asian GT Challenge, the Asian Formula Renault and Formula V6 Asia, which Mokhzani said would be equally thrilling as well.
"No doubt this will make the Super GT International Series an event that no racing fans will want to miss," he said, adding that a prominent feature of the support races would be a substantial participation of drivers from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Their participation, he said, would definitely provide an additional tool for SIC to attract more spectators from those countries.
The SIC Chairman also commended Malaysians competing in the support races, saying that it was a good sign that reflected the progress of Malaysian motorsports. "This is something that Sepang International Circuit has been committed to since the day the circuit was established in 1998," said Mokhzani, who also commended Petronas and Mutiara Motors on their association as key partners for two of the competing teams.
"We hope the partnership would also open opportunities for Malaysians in the running of racing teams and perhaps the entry of full-fledged Malaysian racing teams in the future. I hope their commitment will be an example for other corporate organizations to emulate, in positioning their brand in the international arena," added Mokhzani
In his speech, Bandoh said the GT Association had been made into a corporate identity since April 1 this year to provide a more professional outlook and better management of the series, and that they were very happy to have the event here.
"This year will be our ninth year in Malaysia. The goal of our company, GT Association is, through the Super GT International Series, to help promoting the car culture in general and motorsports culture in particular, here in Malaysia and throughout the many Asian countries.
"The beginning of Super GT series goes back to 1994 and we are proud to have celebrated last year the 100'h race of the series," said Bandoh, adding that the race in Sepang would have a total participation of 38 GT500 and GT300 race cars.
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