SIC to replace F1 with talent scout race

KUALA LUMPUR: Motorsports promoter, Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd (SIC) is currently preparing various programmes and initiatives to replace the space left vacant by Formula One (F1) race by developing local talents in various segments.

According to SIC chief executive officer, Datuk Razlan Razali, the vacancy of the F1 race should be replaced with another four-wheel race that has a strong local support, as well as taking into account the available returns for the country.

“We needs a race that have an economic impact. Before hosting the race, we have to create awareness and interest about the race among local motorsports fans. It is not good if the event attracts more foreign fans than locals,” said Razlan in a press conference after unveiling SIC's programmes for talents on fourwheel and two-wheel in 2018 yesterday.

Among the four-wheel talents who attended the event were Jazeman Jaafar, Afiq Ikhwan Yazid, Weiron Tan, Nabil Jeffri and Mitchell Cheah.

The two-wheels riders are Hafiz Syahrin Abdullah (MotoGP), Zulfahmi Khairuddin (Moto2), Adam Norrodin (Moto3) and the quintet from the SIC's home-grown talent search programme ‘Impian ke MotoGP', Danial El Fahim, Muhammad Hrith Hazziq, Muhammad Izam Ikmal, Mohd Daniel Syahmi and Muhammad Idil Fitri.

In the four-wheel segment, the formidable drivers -- Jazeman, Weiron, Afiq Ikwan and Nabil -- will be racing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Le Mans 24 Hours, while Mitchell will participate in the TCR Asia 2018.

“SIC had just signed an agreement with a successful and highly rated team, Jackie Chan DC Racing X Jota this year. Our Malaysian drivers will continue association with the team after making their debut at the tail end of 2017 season and will be competing in the prestigious WEC Super Series 2018/19 which is inclusive of two Le Mans 24 Hours beginning in July,” said Razlan.

The Jackie Chan DC Racing team, which is co-owned by David Cheng and legendary actor Jackie Chan, has achieved commendable success in Asia and abroad despite only being formed in 2015.

Besides, aiming for the drivers, Razlan said the collaboration is also meant for promoting the race in Malaysia.

“Besides having a good team, good engineers to help in terms of technical side, the presence of Jackie Chan himself would boost the event promotion,” he said.

Earlier in his briefing, Razlan noted that in the four-wheel segment, several pathway have been identified for drivers to progress.

“The talents will have the opportunity to move up into racing in the Asian Formula Renault of F4 South East Asia (F4SEA), the F4 European series and ultimately the F3 series in Europe,” said Razlan.

“In creating the interest, we have to start it from the regional level before making the path into the world championship. From the beginning, our dream was to create the pathway for local motorsports talents to reach the pinnacle of racing, be it MotoGP or F1.” - Bernama