SIC EXPECTS MORE THAI SPECTATORS AT SEPANG MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX

BANGKOK, Aug 11 (Bernama) – The Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd (SIC)
anticipates an increase of 10 per cent in Thai spectators for the Shell Advance
Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in October.

SIC chief executive officer Razlan Razali said that about 1,500 Thais
watched the event last year.

"I believe we can achieve the target with all the promotions and special
packages being offered to attract the Thais," he told Bernama here Wednesday
night.

The attractions include grand prix ticket prices from as low as RM15 to
RM120 (USD1=RM3.00), special air tickets, pit walks, guided pit tours, safety
car rides and go-karting at the circuit, he said.

For avid bikers, there is the option of riding to the circuit on their own
bikes, with SIC in collaboration with Malaysia Airlines currently offering
attractive holiday packages which include air cargo for bikes.

Furthermore, Razlan said, the Thais would have the opportunity of watching
their ace rider Ratthapark Wilairot in action.

Ratthapark finished sixth two years ago and on the 16th spot during last
year's series for the MotoGP 2 segment for 600cc bikes.

Razlan said the excitement was not restricted to the three-day race starting
on Oct 21 as activities such as pit tours, circuit tours, go-karting and an
advanced rider training session could be organised after the race.

SIC attracted 105,000 spectators for its MotoGP last year, with 70 per cent
of them being Malaysians and the rest coming from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand
and Australia, he said.

In the past, he said, the number of Thai spectators was low compared to
spectators from other neighbouring countries due to lack of promotion in
penetrating the mass market in this country.

However, with the help of Tourism Malaysia's Thailand office, they managed
to organise meetings with bike manufacturers, bikers' clubs and local media
Wednesday in further promoting the event.