The proposed night race at the Malaysian Sepang International circuit, the second race of the season, has been changed to a ‘twilight’ race after organisers decided that lighting up the track was too costly.
An agreement between the organisers and Bernie Ecclestone has been reached whereby the Malaysian Grand Prix will take place at 17.00hrs local time. Sepang International Circuit chairman Mokhzani Mahathir believes that in the current economic climate, the cost of lighting the circuit would be ‘prohibitive’, the organisers are already having to offer special packages and activities to attract spectators. The late afternoon start should attract more local spectators to the track as the daytime temperature starts to cool.
Malaysia signed a contract with F1 in 2008 in which it agreed to be prepared to stage night racing, but with the economic problems being faced globally, the decision not to hold a night race in 2009 has been made for all the right reasons.
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