Malaysia at the moment has 2 race tracks dedicated for motor racing, Sepang F1 track in Kuala Lumpur and Pasir Gudang in Johor. Sepang F1 track was designed specifically for Formula One racing and the track is advanced, wide and well planned out for large racing events however the cost of renting the track for weekend warriors is just too prohibitive to most of the locals. The track rental for 1 hour is RM6,000 or US$1400. Often organisers will rent the track for blocks of 4 hours and share the cost with participants who then pay RM400-500 or US$100-120 to drive for 4 hours. Situated near the airport, it is 70km away from the city and it only allows circuit driving. Drifting or drag racing (in proper form with burn outs) is prohibited as Sepang management wants to protect the tarmac for Formula One.
Having such a high tech facility is good but when it is not accessible to the masses it is a problem. Many young hot headed drivers take to the city streets or highways to race illegally. The Government previously mooted the idea of creating a secondary smaller track just at the fringe of the city. The project was dubbed KL Motopark but shortly after the ground breaking ceremony the project ground to a halt for no specified reason. It could be lack of fund or other reasons. The street racing is a nuisance and many tragic accidents have occurred as a result. In the latest move by the Government a Minister came out with an idea to close off some streets on a sunday to allow moped racing. this is not well received by the public since the moped racing gangs are already a nuisance and it will encourage them more when there is no racing.
The areas surrounding Kuala Lumpur city still have abundance of vacant land which can be converted to a smaller race track with basic facilities. It is not necessary to build world class facilities on a small track, the aim is just to provide a place for the motor heads to drive or race taking all the illegal racing off the streets.
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