Catching the Super GT Race from the Sky at Sepang Circuit

Racing fans will have a unique opportunity of catching actions at the upcoming 2008 Super GT International Series Malaysia at Sepang Circuit from June 20 to 22 from the sky from the comfort of hot-air balloons.

"The hot air balloons will be an added attraction for the race this year. It's going to be a truly unique experience that fans would definitely enjoy," says Azlan Akil, who is Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Advertising and Promotions Manager, and project manager for the race.

Speaking at a press conference at Equatorial Kuala Lumpur, Azlan said that three hot-air balloons would be strategically located at vantage points to allow perfect view of the racing actions at the event, which would also included five support races - the Asian Touring Car Series, the Asian GT Challenge, the Asian Formula Renault Challenge, Formula BMW Pacific and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.

The GT race in Sepang would be Round 4 of a nine-round Super GT International Series 2008, where eight other rounds are held in Japan. As the only race outside Japan and offering an entirely different challenge for the drivers and teams, the Sepang race is waited anxiously by them for bragging rights to win the most difficult race of the series.

"It's definitely an event that no racing fan would want to miss. It's a weekend packed with plenty of excitement on and off-track," said Azlan, in reference to some 100 GT Queens from Japan representing the competing teams and sponsors plus many more grid girls from the participating teams for the support races.

"My advice to all fans coming to the event is that don't leave home without your cameras. It's a must at the Super GT," said Azlan, adding that the circuit had set a target of 65,000 spectators for the weekend. While tickets are priced as low as RM30 for entry on Saturday and Sunday, entry for Friday (June 20) would be free at the Main Grandstand area.

In luring the fans, Azlan said that SIC would be bringing in sending its "secret weapons" - GT Queens Kotomi Kurosawa and Ayami Sasaki to assist the organizers in promoting the event. Scheduled to arrive in Malaysia next month, Kurosawa and Ayami are expected to make appearances at leading shopping malls and entertainment outlets at major cities as well as the Super GT roadshows to meet the fans.

To those who love the race cars more than the queens, Azlan said that SIC would be displaying the Super GT racing cars as well at the roadshows where fans can have a closer look and be photographed with the mean machines.

"For the 2008 race, we are planning to have three big roadshows in June - two in Kuala Lumpur and one at Highway Autocity in Penang to push the promotions. On top of that, we are also working closely with the GTA for street demonstration during the race week. That would be really special," he added.

Main Grandstand tickets are priced at RM150 while the K1 Grandstand seats are priced at RM80.

SIC is currently offering special early bird packages for the fans where the first 5,000 purchases of the Main Grandstand tickets and the first 5,000 purchases for the K1 Grandstand tickets would be entitled to a 50 percent discount.

For details, contact the Press Officer Azhar Ghazali at 019 383 7865.