With the imposition of the Motion Management Order (MCO) and declaration of a State of Emergency for Malaysia, Sepang Worldwide Circuit (SIC) just isn’t taking issues with no consideration and is ready for a tricky yr forward. With the cancellation of the MotoGP Winter Take a look at in February and Malaysian Superbike Championship rounds, scheduled for this month, SIC chief govt officer Azlan Shafriman Hanif is optimistic that the circuit and its employees will climate this disaster because it has prior to now yr.
“The MCO has had a extreme influence on SIC’s income final yr, I don’t have the precise quantity with me proper now, however when it comes to share of income it’s greater than 50%, from our calculations,” stated Shafriman. Shafriman, who prefers to be is aware of as “Shaf”, stated this has affected SIC’s revenue for 2020.
Realising this needs to be addressed, Shaf has applied price financial savings and management of mounted prices, one thing that was began final yr through the first MCO and can proceed into this yr. “We’ve a number of plans, particularly within the space of price management and we must watch out with expenditure,” he stated.
Shaf doesn’t count on the MCO to be lifted in two weeks and foresees a attainable continuation. “SIC intends to renew it calendar as soon as the MCO lifts and one of many measures we now have proposed to the authorities is a “journey bubble” the place worldwide contributors will go from the airport to the lodge for a day’s quarantine, then between the lodge and circuit till the occasion ends,” Shaf stated in reference to the Malaysian MotoGP spherical on the finish of this yr and the potential of it being held.
SIC can also be taking a look at income streams other than the normal motorsports occasions, with an emphasis on involving the household. “Most frequently, the gents within the household come to Sepang for the racing or no matter, and the household doesn’t observe just because there may be nothing there for them. We need to change that by making Sepang a family-friendly place, maybe with a pleasant cafe and nursery the place households can spend time,” stated Shaf.
Plans additionally embrace a renovation of the Sepang go-kart observe and the constructing of a drive expertise centre. “We’ve referred to as for the tender and as soon as the method concludes we count on to start work in April,” defined Shaf.
It seems 2021 will probably be a lot the identical as 2020 for SIC, with journey restrictions and pandemic lockdowns enjoying havoc with the race calendar each regionally and internationally. “Wanting on the brilliant aspect, I really feel SIC has a key function to play in growing motorsports within the area, as we carried out prior to now, and we’ll get by way of this as a workforce,” Shaf stated.
