Sepang gets ready

Three days after the conclusion of the Formula One season opener in Bahrain, the F1 cars and racing equipment today moved into the pits of Malaysia’s Sepang F1 Circuit as they get ready for Round 2 of the World Championship.

Under scorching sun and high temperatures, the freight forwarders and team members rushed their equipment into the pits in their usual organized manner; showing no problems over the new one-week between races gap.

For the past seven F1 Grand Prix, races in Sepang will be held two weeks after the preceding race. This year, however, the eighth edition of the Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix will be held this weekend and immediately after the opening race in Bahrain.

"Everything is proceeding and we are all geared up for the race. Everything is fine and well," declared Datuk Ahmad Mustafa, who is Sepang International Circuit General Manager and event director for the 2006 Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix.

Around the circuit, workers are busy putting final touches; beautifying the gravel beds; painting the starting grid and erecting advertisement boards and marques for the big day.

Some 12 kilometers away from the circuit at the Concorde Inn in Sepang, the track medical and paramedic team began a two-day training with the participation of 56 doctors, 163 paramedic staff and 50 first aiders.

The team will be supported by 12 ambulances, five fast intervention vehicles, four small medical cars, three extrication vehicles and two medical helicopters; giving the Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix an excellent cover for any kind of incidents on the track.

Opening the seminar, Ahmad reminded the medical team to continue their good work and not to let a shred of complacency risks their excellent record at Sepang Circuit.

Apart from the track medical team, the event also involved the organization of volunteers for the track marshaling, hospitality suites, race management and Media Centre operations.