Super GT Round 3 in SIC pulls crowd of 60,000
The 2011 Autobacs Super GT Round 3, held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on 18-19 June, marked a successful debut for local company JP Performance Motorsport (JPM) as organizer of the prestigious event. Taking over from the SIC management as organizers, JPM secured a two-year contract to organize the 2011 and 2012 editions of the race, the only round of the Super GT season to be held outside Japan.
The entry of new organizers naturally sparks the creation of new ideas, and many firsts were set in this year’s event. There were CSR campaigns which included Aid for Japan, a blood donation drive, and donations to orphanages. On the nights of Saturday and Sunday, party-goers were entertained by the Velocita Rave Party, Femme Fatale GT Party, and Rock & Race concert.
Another notable first of the event is that it was completely cashless. All purchase transactions on that day were conducted using Touch ‘n Go cards, and all Grandstand ticket holders received free special edition Super GT Touch ‘n Go cards. Mobile Touch ‘n Go reload stations were deployed throughout the event venue, and we were told that the system operated without a hitch throughout the event. Anybody encountered any problems?
Efforts were put in to create a carnival atmosphere at the SIC to accompany the race programme. Children below the age of 12 were given free entry, and there was an exhibition, carnival and bazaar held outside the main track where spectators can purchase food, beverage and various trinkets from more than a hundred exhibitors. There was also a successful record setting attempt for the Largest Gathering of Supercars, 405 of them, in the Malaysian Book of Records.
Amateur photographers were given Photo Pass applications, where they have the rare opportunity to access areas previously exclusive to members of the media in other races. Besides offering photographers a platform to improve their photography and try their hands on motorsports shooting (not easy, believe us), the objective of this exercise was also to enable increased exposure of Super GT to the public via social media as photographers tend to upload their shots on sites such as Facebook, Flickr and the lot. I know I do.
Speaking of exposure, the atmosphere in Sepang was broadcast live to the Malaysian public on RTM, who also sent live broadcasts to Japan in High Definition. For the rest of the season, RTM will also be airing highlights of every round of the Super GT series.
On the track, supporters got to catch not only the GT300 and GT500 class races of Super GT, but also a number of support races which included the GT Asia Series, Vios Lady Cup, Vios Men Cup, Yaris Cup, and JPM Megane Cup. The JPM Megane Cup attracted 25 entries, all of them amateur races racing for the first time in the SIC.
Having pulled off its first attempt, JPM is now looking forward to repeat or better their feat for 2012. TJ Chin, Managing Director of JPM, said, “We could not have done it without the support of all the Super GT as well as motorsport fans out there and we would like to thank them for their support. Through everyone’s support, we believe that we have achieved our objective of creating a world of entertainment through motorsports, and look forward to organizing an even more electrifying event next year.”
Pictures: Official JPM release.
