Race Track: Sepang International Circuit
Location: Malaysia
Race Day: Sunday, 20 November 2005
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The Sepang International Circuit consists of three circuits in one.
The main racetrack is 5.542km with the South Track being 2.7km and
the North Track 2.8km. The latter was the final one to be completed
and hosted its first official race in July 2003.
One of the spectacular features of the circuit is the smooth and
sweeping chicane capable of being negotiated at speeds in excess of
200kph. The fastest part of the circuit is the start/finish
straight between turn 15 and turn 1.
The track features 15 corners and eight straights with a minimum
width of 16m increasing to 25m in some parts, providing many
overtaking opportunities. The circuit is covered by 27 closed
circuit TV cameras via fibre optic cabling and includes on-line,
real time tracking of race cars, combined with electronic marshal
posts which will flash coloured lights to the drivers instead of
flags.
World champion F1 driver, Michael Schumacher was consulted on the
design of the track in his capacity as a member of the Formula One
Drivers Safety Commission.
The architecture of the Sepang complex blends modern technology
with the Malaysian culture. In total, the track can accommodate
some 130,000 spectators, with 30,000 in the unique double-fronted
main grandstand whose roof resembles a banana leaf. Tilke
introduced the first double frontage grandstand to be built at any
racing circuit.
As the track has been built in a stadium-type location, with the
track recessed in the valley, all spectators can see at least 50%
of the circuit no matter where they sit. The Canopy Tower, nestling
at the tip of the V-shaped double grandstand, has a roof similar to
the Malaysian national flower, the hibiscus. Seats here give a view
of 70% of the track.
The two-storey pit building is one of the largest in the world,
housing all the main facilities. There are 30 pits, including 12
offices for the FIA and administration, plus race control, time
keeping, media centre and interview room plus photographers' room.
There is also a medical centre including a small operating theatre
to handle minor surgery.
Hermann Tilke of Tilke Engineering from Aachen, Germany designed
the circuit working with local company Iktisas Ingenieurs.
The state-of-the-art circuit, Sepang International Circuit was
officially opened on March 9, 1999 by the Prime Minister Dato? Seri
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. It was completed in a record of 14 months and
with the recognition of its ultramodern facilities, it was given
the honour to incorporate the F1 logo in its name.
The 5.542km (3.443 mile) track was built in just 14 months by main
contractor WCT Engineering on a 260ha former palm oil plantation
near to Kuala Lumpa International Airport (KLIA), who own and
manage the circuit.
The Malaysian Government requested KLIA to obtain the rights to
host a Grand Prix, and subsequently build the circuit. A taskforce
was then formed to ensure that the circuit project would run
smoothly. Members of the taskforce went to Formula One circuits
around the world to learn about the layout and organisation of a
Grand Prix.
In December 1996, a masterplan was presented to the Prime Minister
and soon after, work began. At its peak there was over 1,000 people
working on the site. In December 1998, the circuit opened with its
first race meeting, the Proton 300km Merdeka.
Two months later, it was also awarded a two-year licence for
motorcycle racing, which culminated in the Malaysian Motorcycle
Grand Prix.
Over nine million cubic metres of earth were moved on the 115,000m²
site during the construction. Local company, Pakar International,
constructed the wastewater treatment plant for the circuit.
PKNS Infra Berhad (PIB), a subsidiary of Selangor State Development
Corporation (PKNS) carried out the landscaping work throughout the
circuit site. PJIH provided the electrical HT/LV distribution
system and high mast lighting for the racetrack along with the
telephone system and external infrastructure works.
The 2005 Formula One Grand Prix was the biggest race day attendance
in the history of the Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix,
which previously recorded the highest attendance in 2003 with
101,455 spectators. Last year, the statistics stood at 84, 010 as
the 2004 race clashed with the general elections.
