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By Amiel Cabanlig
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The 10th
Petronas Malaysian Grand
Prix slated for March 21 to 23 at the
Sepang International Circuit revs up
for another highly-charged race
among the world’s best F1 teams
and drivers. |
Malaysia here we come! Fast cars and fast
times—nothing spells excitement better than this wining
combination. For racing enthusiasts and party people alike, the
much-awaited Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix kicked off its
forthcoming race with a highly-charged launch party for Filipino F1
fans at Makati’s Embassy Super Club.
Rev your engines and strap yourselves in as
Formula One fever grips Manila!
Serving as the second round of the FIA Formula
One Grand Prix World Championship, the 2008 Petronas Malaysian Grand
Prix is slated on March 21 to 23 at the Sepang International Circuit
(SIC).
No less than Dato’ Mirza Taiyab, director
general of Tourism Malaysia, and Dato” Azmi Murad, general manager
of SIC, flew in to the Philippines to join local celebrities and
race buffs in celebrating the upcoming race.
Spicing up the festivities was a raffle draw
wherein 10 tickets to the 2008 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix,
inclusive of airfare and accommodation, courtesy of the Tourism
Malaysia and host Sepang International Circuit were given away to
lucky guests. There was also a fashion show showcasing Formula One
outfits.
“We are truly excited to launch the Petronas
Malaysian Grand Prix this year because we are celebrating our 10th
year of hosting a race for the world’s most glamorous racing
series,” said Azmi, who added that for the 10th edition, they are
targeting a record turn-out of 125,000 spectators, including more
than 50,000 foreigners.
For his part, Mirza said, “The event will not
only provide long-term benefits to tourism but also help us in our
efforts to turn Malaysia into a regional hub for motor sports.”
Malaysia has been hosting the Formula One
Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix since 1999 at the SIC, an ultra-modern
site that had set a new benchmark for future race circuits with its
distinguished design highlighted by a double frontage.
Over the years, the Petronas Malaysian Grand
Prix always drives out the best in F1 teams and drivers who also
have to survive the venue’s challenging weather and humidity,
aside from the SIC’s demanding 5.543-km circuit. It is also
largely viewed as the start of the “real battle” for the world
crown as by race time at Sepang, teams and drivers would already
have settled down with their cars and strategies after a period of
testing and experimenting during the preceding inaugural race in
Melbourne, Australia.
Among those who have conquered the field in the
Malaysian GP were former seven-time world champion Michael
Schumacher of Germany and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso of
Spain.
For certain, the Launch Party of the 2008
Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix has generated much
excitement and interest among Filipinos, who are now revved up for
world-class F1 action.
The Manila kick off of the 2008 Petronas
Malaysian Grand Prix is sponsored by GP Asia, Hong Kong Limited and
Certina Swiss Watches, which all provided raffle items, and Pernod
Ricard and Bacchus International, which provided the Chivas Regal
and wines, respectively. The show was organized by LEN Plus Inc. and
directed by Jackie Aquino.
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