The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Horse : No night race at Malaysia

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Monday, Sep 29, 2008
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Sport - Racing : Horse

No night race at Malaysia

SINGAPORE: The Malaysian Grand Prix chief has ruled out holding a night race in 2009.

However, Sepang International Circuit chairman Mokhzani Mahathir said next year’s race will start two hours later for European prime-time television audiences, beginning at 5 p.m. local time instead of 3 p.m.

“It will still be daylight and about 7 p.m. when the new race finishes, and for fans in Europe and Britain it would be about 10 a.m. We are not going to lose out,” Mokhzani said.

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has been keen to hold all Asian races at night to attract maximum audiences in Europe. But Melbourne has already said it won’t hold a night race, throwing into doubt its future. It will instead hold a twilight race, similar to Malaysia’s plan.

The night race in Singapore is likely to pressure other Asian circuits to follow suit, but Mokhzani said Sepang would not be able to afford the lighting.

“The lighting costs quite a bit and this is an effort to keep the cost of F1 in Malaysia down. And Bernie (Ecclestone) has agreed,” he said.

Under the new race time, Mokhzani said spectators would get a “cooler atmosphere” with even the support races beginning later.

“It will be a bit different. People do not have to wake up so early. And they will still be able to enjoy themselves after that,” Mokhzani said.

Newman mourned

McLaren team principal Ron Dennis and Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Bourdais paid tribute to late American film star Paul Newman.

Newman died of lung cancer on Saturday at the age of 83. In addition to a long Hollywood career, he was also a motor racing enthusiast and competed in many races.

Although Newman was a “legend of the silver screen ... he was also a fine driver, who was famous in Hollywood for doing his own stunt driving as often as not. But his driving was in fact no mere stunt,” Dennis said in a statement.

The highlight of Newman’s driving career was finishing second in the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 1979.

“I extend my sympathy at this very sad time to this great man’s grieving family and friends,” Dennis said.

Bourdais said he was saddened to hear about Newman’s death.

Newman was the co-owner and founder of the Newman/Haas team, with which Bourdais won numerous Champ Car titles before switching to F1 this year.

“He was a great man and he will be dearly missed, but he has no doubt gone to a better place,” Bourdais said.

Newman attended several F1 races. Last year, he rode the Minardi F1x2 car with F1 champion Mario Andretti — who also drove for Newman in Champ Car — at the wheel.

Max factor

Renault appears to be the only team that supports FIA president Max Mosley’s proposal for a common engine in Formula One.

German magazine Auto Motor und Sport said Mosley’s suggestion has generated a lot of discussion in the latest meetings of the F1 teams’ alliance, FOTA.

But so far only Renault backs the plan, although Red Bull, which uses Renault engines, might also support it if the issue is put to a vote.

Under FOTA rules, changes like this proposal require at least seven of the 10 teams to vote in favour. — AP

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