SEPANG: The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has signed a new five-year contract to host the MotoGP at the Sepang Circuit until 2021.
SIC, currently in its final season of a three-year deal inked in 2013, signed the new contract with with MotoGP rights holder Dorna this morning.
Newly-appointed SIC chairman Tan Sri Azman Yahya said he is confident the event will continue to grow in popularity among Malaysians.
"The current contract ends this year but I am happy to inform that we have signed an extension of five years ending 2021," said Azman at a press conference here today.
"We will continue with MotoGP and believe that we will see an even better response from the Malaysian public.
"Negotiating and agreeing to an extension had been my first assignment as (new) SIC chairman and I hope everyone will continue to support us."
Dorna chief executive officer Carmelo Ezpeleta said negotiating the new contract was easy for both parties.
"Negotiation was not difficult because both Sepang and us wanted to continue having the event here," said Ezpeleta.
"We must say that we are extremely proud of Sepang, Malaysia as it has shown a tremendous increase in numbers over the past years."
The Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix has attracted record crowds in recent seasons with over 90,000 spectators expected to turn up for the race tomorrow.