Already home to some of the world's most prestigious racing events, the Sepang 1000km is set to be another pride of Sepang International Circuit.

The inaugural Sepang 1000km will be held on June 4-6, SIC is prepared to get the race loving nation into a frenzy with the annual championship.

"It is truly an-all Malaysian event designed by and for Malaysians in particular," said SIC Chairman Datuk Mokhzani Tun Mahathir at the event’s launch by the Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Datuk Razali Ibrahim at the circuit yesterday.

Open to production cars below 1900cc (Class B and C), the introduction of the 1000-km race has now split the Merdeka Millennium Endurance race and, perhaps, effectively eliminated the painful experience of non qualifiers at the 12-hour race.

A maximum of 77 cars would be allowed to start the race with the quota set at 38 cars for Class 1 for cars between 1650cc to 1900cc and another 39 cars for Class 2 for cars with engine capacity below 1600cc.

Spurred by their victorious collaboration at Sepang 12-hour Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race (MME) last year, Team Proton R3 and X1-R are joining forces again to top Class B.

Qualifying for the race will start on June 5 while the process of registration, scrutineering and free practice would be done the day before.

With a minimum of two drivers and a maximum of four drivers to a car, the first team that completes 182 laps (approximately 1008km) of the 5.543km track will be announced the winner on race day, June 6.

“It’s a natural progression for a race like MME to become more competitive with more big budget teams and faster cars entering as the years go on, with this some of the smaller players start to be left behind," said Mokhzani.

“After studying the feedback from the smaller teams that took part in MME, it was decided that they needed a more level playing field which resulted in the creation of the Sepang 1000km.

Nevertheless for those frequent MME qualifiers, the race can also works as a warm up to the MME in August.”

Mokhzani also believes that the Sepang 1000km is a good grass root level race which caters to fresh and upcoming racing teams.

"With categories B and C in mind, SIC wanted to produce a strong bunch of drivers and team in this category,” Mokhzani said.

Deputy Minister Youth & Sports Y. Bhg Dato’ Razali Ibrahim said “Motorsports could be an effective solution in solving illegal race, mat rempit & drug problem among the youth. It is not only a better alternative to spend free time but could possibly become a sports career.

SIC is an ideal platform to bring motorsports closer to Malaysian youth. Giving opportunity to witness racing actions and experience the thrill thus making the youth realise that motorsports is something within the average Malaysian reach.

I would like to congratulate Sepang International Circuit for once again has made our country proud by coming up with such a unique race.”

The deputy minister added that motorsports can also be use as an effective national integration tool where all races and ethnics could watch the race together or support the same team.

“A good example would be when every Malaysian from all ethnics and background supports Fairuz Fauzy in A1 Grand Prix race,” he said.

And as the world is experiencing economic downturn, SIC has ensured ways to make the race as affordable but yet exciting. In short, we want to minimise the cost but maximise the thrill.

For starters, SIC have signed with tyre company Multistrada who will be providing it's impressive Achilles 123 model as the official tyre for the race a compulsory requirement for all competing outfits.

"The low price yet good quality the tyre promises allows smaller teams to keep their budget low and it is among the reasons why SIC chose the Archilles 123 as the official tyre for the Sepang 1000km," said Mokhzani.

He added that research has revealed that the tyres are able to provide maximum grip for 25 laps before beginning to wear off.

“I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to Ministry Youth and Sports for their support and hopefully this is a start of the many good things to come.

SIC is looking forward to further explore new collaboration with the Ministry Youth and Sports in future.

To the motorsports fan, come and be part of this historical event. Entrance for public is free.”

Log on to www.sepangcircuit.com or call SIC Media Manager Irwan A. Rahman at 017-3725777.


EVENT PROGRAMME

THURSDAY, 4th JUNE 2009

0830 hrs – 1200 hrs All Registration & Scrutineering

0900 hrs – 1130 hrs Support Races Registration & Scrutineering

1145 hrs    Support Races Drivers’ Briefing

1230 hrs    1000KM Drivers;Briefing

1245 hrs – 1315 hrs Supercars/Supersaloon Free Practice

1330 hrs – 1400 hrs Aston Martin Free Practice

1430 hrs – 1530 hrs All Drivers Class 2 Free Practice

1540 hrs – 1640 hrs All Drivers Class 1 Free Practice

1650 hrs – 1750 hrs All Drivers Class 2 Free Practice

1800 hrs – 1900 hrs All Drivers Class 1 Free practice


FRIDAY, 5th JUNE 2009

0900 hrs – 0930 hrs Aston Martin Qualifying

0940 hrs – 1010 hrs Supercars/Supersaloon Qualifying

1030 hrs – 1100 hrs Class 2 Driver 1 Qualifying

1110 hrs – 1140 hrs Class 1 Driver 1 Qualifying

1150 hrs – 1220 hrs Class 2 Driver 2 Qualifying

1230 hrs – 1300 hrs Class 1 Driver 2 Qualifying

1300 hrs – 1400 hrs BREAK

1400 hrs – 1430 hrs Class 2 Driver 3 Qualifying

1440 hrs – 1510 hrs Class 1 Driver 3 Qualifying

1520 hrs – 1540 hrs Class 2 Driver 4 Qualifying

1550 hrs – 1620 hrs Class 1 Driver 4 Qualifying

1630 hrs    Aston Martin Race 1 (15 laps)

1730 hrs    Supercars/Supersaloon Race 1 (15 laps)


SATURDAY, 6th JUNE 2009

0900 hrs – 0945 hrs Supercars/Supersaloon Race 2 (15 laps)

1000 hrs – 1045 hrs Aston Martin Race 2 (15 laps)

1100 hrs                 Pit Exit Open

1115 hrs                 Pit Exit Close

1150 hrs                 National Anthem

1157 hrs                 Formation lap

1200 hrs                 Sepang 1000km Race Start (182 Laps)

2100 hrs                Prize Presentation

• Results