Formula 1, Sepang, 2007

The champion...


Thanks for trying.





Tickets = RM300
Parking = RM50
Speeding Ticket = RM150
Sound of screaming V8s....priceless.

OK, so that's a bit cliche. Watching the Formula 1 in Sepang was one of those spur of the moments thing that pop up before my birthday and so I bought the ticket as a gift for myself. Narcissistic. I know :-)

Planned to be there earlier in the morning to beat the traffic...but since it was a Sunday, I typically overslept. Stepped out of the house at 11am, pumped more fuel into my car (thank goodness) and proceeded promptly towards Sepang (see Speed Ticket above).

Traffic was clear all the way to the KLIA toll. It was just 10 minutes before noon, and then after the first bend, I started to join the traffic jam. The journey that normally took 10 minutes lasted more than an hour.

I had also purchased parking coupon with the tickets and upon reaching, I found out that it was actually just a palm oil estate where we are expected to drive in and park in rows. Sure, the grass has been cut and there's shade from the palm oil trees but you have to be careful not to drive into any ditch or deep holes and tear out an axle. Well, this qualifies as the most expensive parking...RM50 for 3-4 hours!

The weather was hot and humid. A lot of people were gathered around the many fans (with mister) or just taking a seat in the Automobile Museum. Since there were still a lot time, I took my time to visit all the souvenir shops.

Mercedes Benz had the most impressive booth, with a few impressive looking souped up AMG models. Below is one of them.


Gate 5 for Citrine and Topaz seats. That's my gate.


Inside the SIC track. There were shops selling drinks (RM5), ice creams (RM5), beer (RM16) and packed food. Everything was sold at super inflated price but most people didn't seem to mind, looking at the brisk business there.


That's the MB safety car leading the drivers parade.


Our PM, in the antique car leading the parade.


Ferrari's Massa.


View of the open grass seating and the covered grass area.


Overall, it was a great experience especially if you are into cars or auto sports. However, I would have done things differently if I were to attend it again next year. Firstly, bring lots of water to last the duration. Then bring food and snacks . Be there early, by 10am would be ideal. Spend the time with friends and watch the early races.

Then leave another picnic basket in the car. After the race, don't bother leaving the parking area cause there would be a MASSIVE traffic jam with all the cars wishing to leave at the same time. Take out the picnic basket and have a picnic while you wait out the jam. The palm oil estate cum car park then wouldn' t be such a bad idea.