SIC organizes donation drive for flood victims

MotoGP fans encouraged to donate at least RM2 as they watch the testing next week

The floods which affected northern Johor, Malacca and parts of Negri Sembilan caused hardship to thousands so the Sepang International Circuit is joining in the effort to relieve some of the loss by organizing a donation drive for MotoGP fans.

The donation campaign will take place at the upcoming MotoGP test session next week and they want fans to give at least RM2 to help flood victims.

“Basically, anybody who passes out gates during the three-day testing including staff of the circuit, contractors and suppliers are encouraged to drop a minimum donation of RM2 which will be channeled to the flood relief funds,” says Datuk Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali, the Chief Executive Officer of Sepang International Circuit.

 Donation boxes would be placed at the entrance gates for fans to drop their donations,” Razlan said, adding that he was hopeful of another huge crowd at the testing, which would be held from February 22 to 24.

 “We had a good turnout at the first test earlier this month including foreign fans. And, I am hoping for more fans to turn up to the circuit for the second test. On top of catching their idols in action, they can also show their compassion for the flood victims.

 “As all of us know, the effects of the flood this time round were massive. It was the worst flood ever to hit Johor,” added Razlan, who also said that the second test would feature world champion Jorge Lorenzo and his new Factory Yamaha Racing showcasing their new 2011 liveries.

 “At the last test in Sepang, Repsol Honda unveiled their 2011 liveries and their new three-man team of Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso. We also saw Rossi in the red Ducati leathers for the first time. This time round, we will see the new Factory Yamaha Racing liveries,” said Razlan.

The pre-season MotoGP test in Sepang next week would be the second test session for the MotoGP riders after the lifting of the test ban on January 31. The first session – from February 1 to 3 – saw Marco Simoncelli of Team San Carlo Honda Gresini upstaging his more celebrated rivals with a time of 2 minutes 0.757 seconds around the 5.543-km track.

 “I expect the riders will be even faster at the second test. They might even challenge Valentino Rossi’s fastest time in Sepang,” Razlan said in reference to Rossi’s time of 2 minutes 0.271 seconds which the Italian recorded last year on the second day of second pre-season test on his Yamaha M1 machine.