How to Spend a Day at the Sepang Circuit

Sepang is a district in the southern Selangor state. Among the big landmarks here is the Sepang International F1 Circuit the home of the Malaysian Motor GP and the Malaysian Motorcycle GP, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the tourist destination Sepang Gold Coast in Bagan Lalang. Millions of visitors pass through the district annually to attend racing events and on their way to and from the international airport.

Step 1: Getting There

Visitors arriving from overseas for motor sport events can access Sepang directly form KL International Airport by bus, taxis and car rentals. Those travelling from KL and other parts of Malaysia can travel to Sepang via transport modes that include high speed rail links from Sentral, KL's transport hub, by a combination of train and bus, on buses operating between KL and the international airport and by Sepang Omnibus that has connections to the circuit and to destinations around the district. Taxis and private cars are the other options available for travel to Sepang from KL. It takes about 45 minutes on the North - South Expressway to access the circuit. However the quickest way to get to the circuit is by helicopter. The circuit's helipad located near the KLIA runway offers parking space for several aircraft.

Step 2: Getting Around

Public transport within the district is handled by Sepang Omnibus. During racing season spectators can access the F1 Circuit by catching a high speed train from KL Sentral to the airport and transferring onto a shuttle bus. KLA Ekspres and KLIA Transit offer packages that cover the train and shuttle bus rides. On non-race days visitors can get to the race track by taxi, motor cycles and private cars.

Step 3: The F1 Circuit

The Formula 1 Circuit in addition to hosting the Malaysian Motor GP, the Malaysian Motorcycle GP and the A1 GP hosts other racing events throughout the year including the superbike world championships, national motor racing events, endurance events and drag races. The 5.543 km long main circuit offers challenges via its sweeping corners and wide straights where participants can pick up quite a bit of speed. Various configurations of the north and south circuits are used for different competitions.

Step 4: Things to See and Do

Visitors can also take a 90 minute behind the scenes tour of the Formula 1 circuit. The tour includes visits to all circuit facilities starting with the National Automobile Museum, the grandstand with its iconic architecture to get a bird's eye view of the circuit and the paddock area, the race control room, time keeping room, corporate and VVIP suites and the media centre. Visitors can learn how the F1 and other races are managed and get access to areas where no cameras are allowed. The highlights of the visit are getting pictures taken on the podium and the opportunity to walk on the starting grid.

There is also a 1.247 km, 10 m wide go-karting track with eleven challenging bends within the circuit. The track designed by the designer of the F1 circuit is an internationally accredited professional Karter's circuit. As the tarmac is identical to the one on the F1 track, it offers some excellent racing experiences. Ten minute fun rides are available in karts with varying engine capacities. The track hosts endurance races, race adventures and corporate events. A paintball arena located in the vicinity of the international circuit offers fans of the game hours of fun playing Capture the Flag or Elimination. The necessary equipment and pellets can be hired on site.

Step 5: Sepang Gold Coast Bagan Lalang

This eco-friendly development featuring private villas, resorts and over water villas built in the shape of a palm tree faces the Malacca Strait. About half an hours' drive from the Sepang circuit, an hours' drive from KL and just under an hour from Putra Jaya, this is the ideal place to take a break from the buzz of the city. Visitors can choose to stay over for a few days or even visit for the day to enjoy the laidback vibe, scuba dive, snorkel or indulge in other water sports, shop for resort wear, try scrumptious seafood and finish the day with drinks at the pubs and bars or trying pampering spa treatments. Stay at the unique overwater villas of AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort that is amongst the luxurious hotels in Sepang, to relax and enjoy the idyllic setting.