SIC may not be able to match last year’s ticket sale at Sepang

PETALING JAYA: Sepang International Circuit (SIC) may find it difficult to match the record breaking ticket sales from last year’s Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix due to the implementation of a 25 percent entertainment tax policy by the Selangor government.

The tax itself is not new but SIC enjoyed a full tax exemption on ticket sales for a decade until 2017.

A lower tax rate of five percent was levied on SIC’s ticket sales but the full amount of 25 percent will be imposed this year.

SIC have attracted record breaking crowd in recent years due to combination of local interest in the Malaysian riders and MotoGP’s strong following in general.

A total of 169,827 spectators came out to watch the event at Sepang last year, a new record despite the rainy weather over the three-day event.

A total of 166,484 fans turned up for the 2017 edition.

SIC chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali (pic) said fans have voiced their unhappiness with the hike in ticket prices.

“A 25 percent tax rate for all motorsport event tickets at Sepang has been set this year,” said Razlan.

“It was only a five percent increase last year.

“Actually, we have not increased our ticket prices but it is the tax that is causing the price hike. Our ticket sales will be affected this year,” he explained.

SIC have sold out the ticket allocations under the early bird promotion, which ran from November last year to March 8.

Tickets for the Malaysia Motorcycle GP ranges from RM55 for a hill stand ticket to RM412.50 for a premier roving ticket, inclusive of the 25 percent entertainment tax.