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A NATION
is truly fortunate when it has a world-renowned sporting
event that it can truly call its own.
Only a
few will dispute that for Malaysia it is the Malaysian
Formula One Grand Prix. During Grand Prix week, Malaysia
and its people are caught in a frenzy of “F1 Fever.”
During this national festival of speed, hotels, malls,
restaurants, bars, stores and every conceivable business
and tourism establishment welcome with open arms the
visitors and guests who converge on the Malaysian
capital of Kuala Lumpur for what has been dubbed as the
“world’s hottest race.”
During
the months leading to the race, merchandising related to
the event can be seen everywhere and every promo and
advert that runs in print, television and radio is tied
in to the race. The country literally lives and
breathes Formula One.
This
year Kuala Lumpur marked the 10th edition of the
Malaysian Grand Prix with a monthlong celebration that
featured music festivals, fashion shows, store sales,
live-entertainment and Fl theme parties that culminated
on race weekend.
All the
gaiety seemed to have worked, as from March 21 to 23
thousands of F1 fans from all over the world—126,000 to
be exact—came to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC)
to watch the second round of the FIA Formula One World
Championship.
According to the organizers, the award-winning circuit
had its humble beginnings with Petronas’s involvement in
Sauber F1 way back in 1996 as the then-prime minister,
Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, recognized the potential of F1
and how it can be used to promote
Malaysia.
A hand shake, a signature and a circuit later,
Malaysia
joined the big leagues of motor sports.
Later in
1999, as
Malaysia
and the region were recovering from the economic
recession, the ultimate race in motor racing was finally
making its debut in
Malaysia.
SIC was ready to welcome all the F1 drivers and the
world’s fastest cars to Malaysia.
Not only
did SIC excel in organizing the event, SIC was also
rated as the best circuit in the world at the FIA Annual
Dinner in 1999. Today SIC is still the circuit to which
others are compared.
This
year’s race was won convincingly by Finland’s Kimi
Raikkonen in a Ferrari, who was arguably the prerace
favorite. He was followed in second place by Poland’s
Robert Kubica in a Williams-Toyota, while third place
went to another Finn, Heiki Kovalainen in a McLaren-Mercedes-Benz.
The United Kingdom’s F1 sensation, Lewis Hamilton, who
is being hyped as the next Michael Schumacher, was
unable to challenge the front-runners after being forced
to start in eighth place for impeding the flying laps of
a fellow competitor during qualifying.
Next to
the actual Grand Prix, the annual Malaysia GP Sale 2008
(MGP) is probably the most eagerly awaited event on the
Malaysian calendar. Held annually in conjunction with
the world-famous race, the MGP Sale offers 30 days of
sales and promotions that make Kuala Lumpur a true shopper’s paradise. Places like Berjaya Times Square, Plaza Low
Yat,
Sungei Wang Plaza, BB
Plaza, Bukit Bintang and Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown become
very crowded as people, both foreign and local, who are
in the hunt for items and bargains, flock to the stores
that offer them.
Aside
from shopping, sightseeing is another worthwhile pursuit
when in Malaysia. Perhaps the most recognizable
landmarks in
Kuala Lumpur
(and Malaysia for that matter) are the Petronas Twin
Towers, which rise to an altitude of 452 meters and have
88 floors. They were the world’s tallest buildings when
completed in 1998 until October 2003, when Taiwan’s
Taipei 101 (509 meters) was inaugurated. Standing next
to them and looking up to the spires that cap both
structures is simply breathtaking.
Also
worth visiting are the Aquaria, which showcases various
species of marine life—a delight for both young and old;
the residence of former Malaysian Prime Minister
Mahathir, which is now a museum; Merdeka Square, where
the country’s indepedence was declared; the soon-to-be
capital of Malaysia, Putrajaya; Cyberjaya—a city that
boasts of the latest electronic convenience and gadget
known to man.
Golf,
too, is a big thing in
Malaysia.
Only recently, the country topped an international poll
for the world’s best golfing destination owing to its
weather and numerous golf courses all over the country.
Malaysia
has truly become a mecca not only for followers of
Formula One, but also for tourists from all over the
world, who arrive in droves all year round.
**Those who are interested in visiting the land of the
world’s hottest race can book a tour with a reputable
travel agent that specializes in Grand Prix packages
such as Red Rock Travel Facilitators (Telephone:
434-3241, 489-7531 or e-mail
redrocktravel@yahoo.com.ph) or contact the Malaysian
Tourism Promotion Board at the Malaysian Embassy (632-
864-0761 to 68) for more information. |
