DENGKIL: Local motorsports fans will have plenty of high-octane action to look forward to at the Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) Merdeka Race this weekend (Aug 31-Sep 1).
Over 400 cars and motorcycles will be competing in various classes at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit. The event, which is backed by Petronas Primax, is being held in conjunction with Merdeka day celebrations.
The action will begin on Saturday with the MSF MegaLap Time Attack followed by the MSF Superbike race and MSF Saga Cup Merdeka mini endurance race (75 minutes).
The highlight of the weekend will be the Merdeka Race - offering a RM50,000 prize purse - which features six categories and has this year been expanded to 99 laps from 88 laps last year.
The six categories are - Rennplatz Standard Production, Rennplatz Standard Production Max, Vision HKS Super Touring, Vision HKS GT86 x BRZ Racing Cup, Super 1800 and MSF Super Production.
MSF principal Adian Yein Khalid is hoping to rekindle public interest in local motorsports through the event.
The Merdeka Race began in the late 1990s and was popular with fans through the early 2000s but fan turnout has tapered off since then.
"We used to have packed stands for this race in the early 2000s but no doubt, times have changed," said Adian at the Merdeka Race launch at Gamuda Cove today.
"There are a lot of activities and other forms of entertainment competing for people's attention today. There has also been a decline in local mainstream media coverage for local motorsports.
"But the love for motorsports is still there and what we need to do is to make it exciting for them (fans).
"There are only three reasons why people will come out to see motorsports. The first is to see good drivers, the second is to see exciting cars, which we both have.
"The third is for the crowd. You essentially need a crowd to pull a crowd.
"We managed to have about 6,500 fans attend the race last year and believe we will have a decent crowd this year."
Adian expects the action to be stiff this year with racers being better prepared after learning from previous years' races. The Merdeka race is expected to last roughly five hours.
Entry to the grandstands is free, however, a small fee will be imposed for paddock passes. With the paddock pass, fans can see the cars and the crews in action up close.