FIRST EVER FIM / FIA DOUBLE-HEADER EVENT AT SEPANG ON 13-15 DECEMBER 2019
The Sepang International Circuit and Eurosport Events are breaking new ground in Malaysia by launching the first bikes/cars dual event from 13 to 15 December. The all-new event, which will go down in Asia’s motorsport history, will be a once of its kind motorsport event under FIA and FIM umbrella.
The announcement of this event which will showcase two hugely exciting and highly competitive world-class motorsport series was made earlier yesterday (Tuesday February 12th, 2019) by Mr. Razlan Ahmad Razali, CEO Sepang International Circuit, in the presence of the Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, at the PETRONAS SIC Motorsports Association of Malaysia Awards 2018.
The first edition of the 8 Hours of Sepang will not only be a qualifying race for the Suzuka 8 Hours 2020 but also a key component of an all-new dual event in Asian motorsport history. For the very first time, Sepang International Circuit and Eurosport Events will bring together two-and-four-wheel action on the same weekend from day to night: FIM EWC, with the 8 Hours of Sepang, and the 2019 super finale of the WTCR – World Touring Car presented by OSCARO.
Qualification for Suzuka
The 8 Hours of Sepang will be the 2nd race on the 2019-2020 FIM EWC calendar, held in between Bol d’Or and 24 Heures Motos, as part of the reworked winter calendar initiated by Eurosport Events.
On Saturday 14 December, the very first edition of the 8 Hours of Sepang will see the finest Asian teams wishing to qualify for the Suzuka 8 Hours grand finale on the track alongside the FIM EWC’s permanent teams, who will be invited to Sepang.
Wide-ranging media coverage
Both the 8 Hours of Sepang and the FIA WTCR / OSCARO grand finale will be given international media coverage over five continents with the support of the Discovery group.
Razlan Razali, Sepang International Circuit CEO
“With the departure of F1 in Malaysia, we were tasked to look into other world class events to include in our annual calendar of events. Through fan voting and further feasibility study, FIM EWC and FIA WTCR were the top two selected events, both promoted by Eurosport Events.
This special collaboration with Eurosport Events, will make the race exclusive and one of a kind which will create history for Malaysia to be the first to host two world championships the same weekend. Both races will take place during sunset and the chequered flag will be waived under the new SIC Circuit lights.
The FIM Endurance World Championship is the premier worldwide endurance motorcycle racing championship. The Sepang round named the 8 Hours of Sepang will see Japanese and Asian teams competing as it will be the qualifying round to the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours in 2020.
Malaysian participation is key to the success of these events. With our recent launch of the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing team, we plan to place our two MotoGP riders and our sole Malaysian Moto2 rider, Khairul Idham Pawi for the inaugural 8 Hours of Sepang EWC round.
I am confident that these fantastic World Championship events with our local driver and riders will be a strong attraction and will pull the ever enthusiastic Malaysian motorsports fans and fans from all over world to Sepang Circuit and Malaysia.”
François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events
“We are very proud to be working with the Sepang International Circuit on the FIM / FIA double-header and writing a new chapter in the country’s and South-East Asia’s motorsport history. It promises to be a weekend of great action and entertainment for all the family, with racing for bikes and cars by day and by night. While it’s part of an EWC schedule that includes races in 2018 and 2019, it’s the season super finale for WTCR / OSCARO when we hope the title will be decided.”
Tickets for the FIA WTCR and FIM EWC double-header event are now on sale. Prices start from RM275 for the main grandstand and more information is available from the SIC website by following this link: https://www.sepangcircuit.com/ticketing/wtrc-ewc