Feeling the thrill at Sepang International Circuit

The throb of sophisticated engines, the smell of synthetic fuel and the echoing “vroom-vroom” sounds greeted me when our media group was led into the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) through the Paddock entrance.

I'm back at Sepang International Circuit again!

This was my first time entering via the Paddock entrance because in the early years since the Sepang Circuit was opened in 1999, I’ve been here for an unforgettable Formula One Race experience with my cousin, Derek, who is a keen F1 fan.

I’m back at SIC again in 2019, courtesy of Tourism Malaysia to experience the F3 Asian Championship in a stopover on our return journey from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Baru after attending their Media & Industry Appreciation event in KL.

Access allowed only with this media pass

After an important briefing on circuit etiquette with all the Do’s and Don’ts, we were escorted into the bowels of the building, to the media center where all the media action was happening.

Designed with soundproof glass walls that offer panoramic views of the racetrack and the spectators seated in the opposite gallery, there was a distinct hush within the media center.

The vroom-vroom action outside was muffled indoors but most of the foreign media persons working on their laptops, were wearing earphones for a moment-to-moment update on the exciting happenings on the track.

Their eyes were focused on the multiple screens suspended above their desks to watch a selection of views, ready to catch the action at the circuit’s challenging spots.

Media entry via the Paddock entrance

Motorsports is indeed a major tourist attraction which is bringing in a host of motorsports enthusiasts who follow the annual calendar of events around the globe.

In fact, SIC was host to the Malaysian Grand Prix, which was part of the F1 World Championship, from 1999 to 2017.

And the media teams dedicated to motorsports, would be media people who were also motorheads.

With teams participating from various nations, their respective media were here along with the entire crew to record and report on the sports – often via live telecasts – because their fans at home would be passionately waiting to watch the live action too!

In the media center at Sepang International Circuit

As we walked pass, I observed Asian and Caucasian media people, each doing their jobs to deliver the reports and broadcasts to their home nations as the action was happening on the circuit.

At the entrance to the Press Conference Room, the poster above the door had an illustration and a request below that said, “Please switch off your mobile phones.”

I couldn’t help smiling when I observed that the illustration of the mobile phone (with a Red slash across it for “No”) was an early chunky version of mobile phones – that resembled a brick – and looked nothing like the flat smartphones of today!

Check out the illustration for the mobile phone!

This poster reminded me that the Sepang Circuit had been around for some time and it is still serving the passions of motorsports enthusiasts here.

Meanwhile, the Room was set up for the Press Conference to be held at the close of the FIA World Touring Car Cup/OSCARO, happening Dec 13 – 15 under the Races of Malaysia event at the Sepang International Circuit.

Just as we did throughout our trip with Tourism Malaysia, our group went on with the mandatory poses for photos with placards emblazoned with the hashtags and taglines for Visit Malaysia 2020 and Tourism Malaysia.

Alex Yoong (Standing next to me!) in our group shot

The group was having fun posing for a series of shots when someone walked into the room and all eyes were riveted on him, stunned at his sudden appearance.

It was indeed a pleasant surprise!

Then someone broke the silence with a shout of recognition, “Alex!”

He was none other than our nation’s former F1 driver, Alex Yoong, who now heads the driver development programme in SIC!

Alex was invited to join us in the group shot and like a good sport, he stepped forward without hesitation and found a space to stand, right next to me…

Introducing My Johor Stories to Alex...

I refused to be star-struck but it was so cool to meet with Alex and capture a photo memento with this professional racing driver, who made history in motorsports as the first Malaysian to race in Formula One!

After the others had their turn to pose with him, I seized the opportunity to introduce Alex to My Johor Stories…

The excitement continued when we were given the privilege to visit the Winners Podium and many, (me included!) could not resist striking a pose, standing at the Number One spot!

Then we headed to the rooftop where there was an open gallery that overlooked the racetrack for us to have a panoramic view, complete with thrilling sights, sounds and smells as we watched the F3 racecars assembling on the track.

We observed how the officers, the crews, the drivers and of course, the attractive grid-girls, went about their duties to ready the racecars for the flag-off.

A view from the rooftop gallery

After completing the entire circuit, led by the safety car at a steady pace, there was a mighty roar as the lead racecars increased their speed and they were off to an exciting race!

When we were ushered into the dining hall for lunch, we could still watch the action from multiple screens positioned at various sections of the hall.

Through a glass wall in the dining hall that overlooked the racetrack, diners could also have a view of the racecars speeding by.

Then it was time to leave for a trek underground to the entrance of SIC where Tourism Malaysia had set up an information counter, photo booth and video screen.

Guess who's on the Winners Podium?

With a group such as ours, it took a bit of time to round everyone up because some videographers and photographers were still doing their thing through the glass wall.

Finally, when the group was ready to leave, we paused because a team from Tourism Malaysia was just coming in and they included the Director General, Datuk Musa Yusof.

This happy encounter resulted in a round of introductions as each media member introduced themselves and presented their name cards to the DG.

I waited for my turn and when the DG received my name card, he confidently declared that he knows me because he has my book!

Then he asked if I remember Kausar Kassim – we were classmates in the Johor Baru Convent – because it was Kausar who presented a copy of My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage, to him.

Our group with Tourism Malaysia Director General,
Datuk Musa Yusof, at Sepang International Circuit 

I fondly recalled that Kausar and many friends and relatives based in KL, came to my Meet-the-Author event that was held in the MPH bookstore at 1Utama Mall.

As he commended me about sharing my Johor-centered stories, I was just so pleased that the DG himself had read My Johor Stories too!

As I floated on into the final part of the tour, I thought that this exciting encounter with the DG was like the proverbial cherry on the cake for me.

Thank you, Tourism Malaysia for the privilege to experience SIC again and for my unforgettable encounters with people – including the DG – who are familiar with My Johor Stories!