It’s all systems go for the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang
SEPANG: It is all systems go as the Sepang International Circuit enters its final lap of preparations for the Formula One Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix .
With the official start on Friday, work on the track is almost done. The circuit was officially closed three weeks ago for remedial work which included repairing the kerbs and beautifying the areas around the track.
Everyone at SIC have been on their toes, working all day long to ensure that the track fulfils all the requirements set by FIA for the official scrutineering tomorrow.
The pride and joy of SIC – the new Team Hospitality – is up and running and received its first batch of occupants yesterday as the teams flew in from Melbourne for the second race of the 2012 F1 calendar.
Having shaken off the hangover of the long break, fans can expect competing teams and drivers coming to Sepang to be better prepared after the first round in Melbourne.
Unlike the tight street circuit in Melbourne, Sepang is the first permanent circuit and fans can expect to see the cars and drivers taking full advantage of the wide track and spacious runoff areas.
The state of preparation of the medical support team has also come under the spotlight following the tragic death of Italian Marco Simoncelli during the Motogp race last October.
Malaysian Formula One Medical Services (F1 MS) members have been training hard to prepare for any eventualities during race weekend.
F1 MS chief medical officer Mejar Jeneral Datuk Dr Mohd Zin Bidin, who heads the team, said it is the only F1 medical service run by the military.
“When F1 machines travelling at 300km per hour collide, the result is much like an aircraft crash. It can be quite catastrophic, with flying debris and possible explosions causing n injuries to the drivers and the spectators. That’s why the circuit needs the complete medical services,” he explained.
“Basically, the medical coverage consists of track medical services – riders, pit crew and marshals and the public medical service,
“For the track medical service, we will be here at the track medical centre from now until race day.
“A the track medical centre, we have a group comprising two anaesthetists, one general surgeon, one burns specialist, one neurosurgeon, one orthopaedic surgeon, one emergency physician, one radiologist, two flight surgeon teams and two helicopters on standby.
“On the track side, there are five medical intervention cars manned by specialists in airway management, four small medical car with clinical specialists, 11 ambulances and three extrication teams.
“There is also a specific standard operating procedure to ensure everything runs at clockwork precision during race weekend.”
In the event of an accident, he explained, the medical officer at the nearest post will respond to the emergency and notify the chief medical officer (CMO), describing the incident in detail.
“Depending on the severity of the accident, the CMO will then deploy the appropriate medical team. This can only proceed upon the running of a safety car or a red flag,” he said.
“If the drivers encounter breathing difficulties, the medical intervention car will be called upon.
“The driver will be extricated and given necessary assistance.
“He will then be transferred by an ambulance to the track medical centre within a stipulated time. He will be assessed and stabilised and, if required, air-lifted with a flight surgeon to the designated hospital – Hukm(hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) – in Cheras or Hospital Kuala Lumpur.”