Sport in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia is not a renowned place for sport, although there is an exception to this. The country has a love affair with motorsport – with two of the major racing series visiting here each year. The Formula 1 Grand Prix circus attends the circuit of Sepang as does MotoGP, motorcycling’s equivalent. In addition there are many local races held here, with some prestigious Asian events like the Japan GT Car Championship and Malaysian SuperSeries (with classes for both cars and bikes).The Sepang circuit is close to the airport, which is around 50km south of Kuala Lumpur itself, although public transport is widely available, especially on race days. The major races are vastly popular, so forward planning is essential otherwise tickets will not be available, and being such a well-designed and popular circuit with the racers, an enjoyable day out is guaranteed. Alternatively there are track days that can be bought for those who really want to say they’ve been and there is also an automotive museum to while away a couple of hours, with a collection of historic vehicles as well as a tribute to Malaysia’s contribution to the industry.
The development of motorsport in Malaysia is down to the economic growth that has fuelled Kuala Lumpur’s rise, bringing a prosperity to the area that has drawn more investment to it. The relatively new Sepang International Circuit, being hailed as one of the most advanced in the world, has helped this development by bringing the very best events to Malaysia and allowing a global audience to see what the country can offer.
