Malaysian Grand Prix - Tips?

[DaveShark]

Hi All,
I am contemplating visiting Malaysia next Easter, and I have have noticed the GP is scheduled (provisionally) to take place on Apr 10th. Has anyone ever been there? I would be grateful for any tips on where to spectate (without wire fences), where to buy tickets, what else to see while there, and what to avoid?

Thanks in advance.

I guess the first tip would be to take some handy water-proofs that can fend of the worse of the usual sudden monsoon showers!!

[The Wookie]

From my Dad's experience, wear sunglasses. He forgot his on race day and dried out the surface of his eyes from the bright sunlight and white surfaces of the stands

[anonymous-user]

OK I live there and race at Sepang, it is hot, very hot. And the main concourse is a sun trap, its about 60 KM out of town so you need to organize transport and the traffic is awful on the race day. Ticket wise you can buy in KL, at the train station is as good as anywhere, transport wise book a taxi for the day is best.
You have a choice of 5 stands,
Main straight, expensive and you see the main straight, the pit building block the rest. (OK you can see turn 3 if you’re in the top tier)
Back straight, good view of turns 9 to 14, there is overtaking at 9, but nowhere else,
The rotunda thing between the straights, depends where you sit you can see turn 5 to 7 on the main straight side or 7 to 10 if you sit further round towards the back straight.
K stand, at the end of the main straight and turn 1, you see overtaking into 1, and 4
F stand, facing the two straights and you can see right down them (or at least one) and see turn 5 to 15, (best place).
There is no activity outside the main concourse area, which is between the stands on the main and back straight, and little there, they regularly run out of food.
You can also sit on the grass in C1 and C2 overlooking turn 10 and see turn 9 to 15, C2 is covered if it rains and cheap. (20 pound for the 3 days).
There is no social life around the race, they have race parties at some of the local bars, but these involve a few posters hung up on the walls. I know no one who goes to practice or qualifying, the main stands have good corporate affairs if you can get an invite.
It is very much a turn up 20 minute before the race and leave when it ends sort of thing, there is no real atmosphere, or history, the car museum at Sepang is a waste of time, and the traffic leaving the circuit is awful, getting the train doesn’t help as you have to get the bus or taxi to the airport, and it is the 5Km around the circuit that has the traffic problems.
There is normally a couple of 20 minute autograph sessions in some of the big shopping malls.
What we have done in the past is organized American tail gate barbecue in the car park so we can wait for a few hours to let the traffic go, as it all stops at the final flag.
Sepang is a great circuit to drive but is has no atmosphere, you can get in impression from the name of the corners, nothing that inspires you turn 1 2 etc, to me that sums Sepang up.
It Ok if you tie it in to a holiday here, and I know several people who do that and have great time, but coming for the race alone as a race enthusiast will be a dissapointment. If you want specifics you can PM me.

[DaveShark]

Wow, thanks for the details. I am also veering towards Stand F, after seeing some fan photos, it seems to give a good view of plenty of track. As for the traffic issues, I am not too fussed because I will not be in a mad real rush to get out if I end up going. Pity about the atmosphere though.

[anonymous-user]

Your welcome, re read your OP, don't worry about water proofs, I went to the race in 2009, which was the one that was stopped, actually it was the driest I've ever been as it was cooler and we where in the stand so stayed out of the rain.

[drillfield47]

Agree with the above............last year we were in K stand and you could see the first 3 or 4 corners..................we saw the rain but were under cover. It actually cooled the whole place down and added that extra bit to the race.

As mentioned before other than the race there is nothing going on.

We got the bus there and back and was OK (very cheap)................picks up from Petronas Towers.

Certainly going again next year but will give the saturday a miss.

Have fun

[Chrisgr31]

Not forgetting that the circuit is very near the Equator and if not in a covered location any parts of your skin exposed to the sun will burn in minutes!