Sepang close to finalizing long-term MotoGP contract extension

Maverick Vinales won last year at Sepang

The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is close to finalizing a long-term contract extension with the promoter of Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP), Dorna Sports.

Despite the cancellation of this year’s race amid the Covid-19 pandemic, SIC Chief Executive Officer, Azhan Shafriman Hanif said talks have been positive for Malaysia to remain in the World Championship calendar, with strong support from the fans and sponsors.

“Our current contract to host the MotoGP is until 2021, but we are at the tail end of concluding an extension for a long term one. We will announce it once we finalize the details and documents.

“We foresee that we do not have any problems for an extension, we have been working with them (MotoGP) since 1999," he said during a virtual press meet today.

Meanwhile, Azhan Shafriman said fans who have already purchased tickets for the 2020 MotoGP which was scheduled from October 30 to November 1, can contact SIC through phone (03-8778 2222) or email (inquiries@sepangcircuit.com) for queries on the refund process.

“We have not decided on whether we will allow the fans to use the ticket for next year, we will announce if there is an update, but the fans can contact us for refunds. We had opened ticket sales early this year, but closed it once the movement control order (MCO) started.

“The total sale of tickets is between 20 to 30 per cent of last year’s sales. We have thoughts of only allowing 40 per cent of the total capacity for this season (after MCO), but we had to cancel the race for safety and health reasons, while races with spectators are still a long away to go," he said without revealing the figures.