#RoadToMalaysia: FIA
WTCR / FIM EWC double-header to thrill fans from 13-15 December 2019
*Three
days of high-speed action at Sepang International Circuit *WTCR / OSCARO
super-finale to include inaugural World Touring Car night race
*Action-packed entertainment and festivities scheduled around the event
*Announcement made in the presence of the Prime Minister of Malaysia
The
date is set for a spectacular and ground-breaking festival of motorsport in
Malaysia. From 13-15 December 2019, the Sepang International Circuit
will host high-speed action on two wheels as well as on four.
At the PETRONAS SIC Motorsports Association of Malaysia Awards 2018 in
Kuala Lumpur yesterday (12 February) – which was attended by special guests
YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and YABhg Tun
Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia – it
was announced that the Sepang International Circuit will showcase two
hugely exciting and highly competitive world-class motorsport series from
promoter Eurosport Events under the umbrella of the FIA and FIM.
On Saturday 14 December, the inaugural Sepang 8 Hours – which starts in
daylight and finishes at night – will form round two of the 2019-20 FIM
Endurance World Championship for motorbikes.
The following day, Sunday 15 December, the 2019 WTCR – FIA World Touring
Car Cup presented by OSCARO season super-finale takes place. The date has
been voted in favour by the FIA Touring Car Commission and is now subject
to FIA World Motor Sport Council approval on 7 March.
With the third of three races at WTCR Race of Malaysia run under
floodlights from 19h00 local time, the event will mark the maiden WTCR /
OSCARO night race and is set to be a spectacular occasion during the
deciding weekend of 2019.
It will be the first time that the Sepang International Circuit has hosted
racing for bikes and cars on the same weekend. The exciting format
will result in the introduction of a unique timetable that will allow track
officials to prepare the 5.543-kilometre layout depending on the tailored
safety requirements of the two categories as specified by their governing
bodies, the FIA and FIM.
As a result, the track will be reserved for WTCR / OSCARO and EWC practice
and qualifying on Thursday and Friday 12-13 December. The Sepang 8 Hours
for EWC riders is on Saturday 14 December followed by the three WTCR /
OSCARO races on Sunday 15 December, the deciding rounds of the 2019 WTCR /
OSCARO season.
François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, promoter of EWC and WTCR
OSCARO, said: “We are very proud to be working with the Sepang
International Circuit and writing with them a new chapter in the country’s
and south-east Asia’s motorsport history. It promises to be a weekend of
great action and entertainment for all the family with racing for bikes and
cars at day and by night.
“As promoter of both FIA WTCR and FIM EWC, we proposed to SIC to run both
series over the same weekend. The circuit has the highest level of
homologation for both two and four wheels and has a long experience of
putting on world championships events, so we feel confident to deliver a
unique experience to fans, teams, drivers and riders. We really look
forward to it!”
Razlan Razali, CEO, Sepang International Circuit, said: “With the
departure of F1 in Malaysia, we were tasked to look into other world-class
events to include in our annual calendar. Through fan voting and further
feasibility study, FIM EWC and FIA WTCR were the top two selected events,
both promoted by Eurosport Events.
“This special collaboration with Eurosport Events will make the
race exclusive and one of a kind which will create history for Malaysia to
host two world championships together in one weekend.
“Both races will take place until sunset and the chequered flag will be
waived under the new SIC Circuit Lights. Tickets are now available for
purchase through SIC's website and we encourage all fans to come and
witness these exciting world-class championships as they make their
#RoadToMalaysia."
Local hero to join
the #WTCR2019SUPERGRID
Promising Malaysian touring car talent Mitchell Cheah will get the
opportunity to join the #WTCR2019SUPERGRID this year as a wildcard entrant
at WTCR Race of Malaysia.
Razlan Razali, CEO, Sepang International Circuit, explained: “In emulating
the success of MotoGP, Malaysian participation is key to the success of
these events. Therefore, we have been developing talent from our Malaysian
Touring Car category in which we discovered Mitchell Cheah, who won the TCR
South East Asia Championship last year. We will continue to develop him in
the TCR Germany this year and get him prepared for a wildcard entry for the
Sepang race in December.
“I am confident that these fantastic world championship events with our
local driver and riders will be a strong attraction and will pull the ever
enthusiastic Malaysian motorsports fans and fans from all over world to
Sepang Circuit and Malaysia.”
Tickets for
spectacular double-header on sale
Tickets for the FIA WTCR and FIM EWC double-header event are now
on sale. Prices start from RM275 for the main grandstand and more
information is available from the SIC website by following this link: https://www.sepangcircuit.com/ticketing/wtrc-ewc.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebeAY8YfqXE
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