I have heard a lot of stories that from now on all races in Sepang will go the other direction as before.

Is this only for Yamaha Cup or for all races in Sepang ?

I believe for Rotax it's more than dangerous to drive the track layout in the "wrong" way.

Can't imagine what will happen if on the new Turn 1 two karts will crash into each other at high speed.

Any updates/comments on this ?

Stupid track operator have all kinds of wrong reason to run the track anti clockwise losing all its characteristics.

Dear All,

Please do not speculate on this as all approval on tracks have to be submitted to AAM for reviewing before it can be implemented. I say here that track owner is the person responsible for the track and not the track operator. In this case it is SIC who can decide if they want clockwise or anti-clockwise.

The Homologation papers must be submitted to AAM and after a track inspection by the inspector, then it will be decided if the track is approved. A track owner can ask for anti-clockwise direction but it is still up to AAM to decide if they will approve. At this moment, I cannot speculate on whether anti-clockwise will be approved even if they do submit the papers for it. Worse case if the track is not approved for anti-clockwise, all tyres and kerbs must be replaced to original position.

James Leong

Dear All,

I had the experience of driving this layout just over the weekend in a Shifter Kart, so here's my opinion of it.

- the pit exit and entry are ok, same as before
- the fast LEFT handed corner into the 2 hairpins will take some control as the entry to the 1st hairpin is VERY tight.
- this 1st hairpin will see some incidents.....especially in the wet since there is an infamous puddle on the inside on rainy days. BUT since its a slow speed corner, I think its ok.
- the entry to the 2nd last corner ( 2nd corner from the clockwise direction ) is a slow corner, which means this regulates the speed u achieve on front straight.
- the feared LEFT fast corner after the start line COULD post some issues but since its a fast corner, the lines u can take this is very limited.....this is to say, overtaking is difficult here. ( think of the infamous bumpy ELITE downhill sweeper and yes, we all still race there ) Frankly, this corner should see LESS 1st corner incidents as compared to the earlier layout where everyone comes from high speed to a very slow speed situation and that's a potential braking error chance. Its reversed now, slow to high speed, less brakes ( if any cos I was on shifter and maybe different driving styles ) and more room to manuever.
- Of course, for safety - the tyre wall at this turn can be beefed up. But then again, the same is for all areas as well if needed. Sorry I did not drive looking at the barriers....

I am fine for reversing any track.....as long as safety is not compromised in ANY WAY. Homologation of the track, is a separate thing and I am sure, the experts are involved in it.


Just my 2 cents.

Cheers,
Jules

Track is impressive anti clockwise, Nice flow, technical on the throttle and braking. yeh that puddle is annoying in the mickey mouse, need to drain that curb. First corner is a fast corner though no different to many tracks we race on. should do a poll on this

The real issue is that there's only 6 weeks before the 1st race and we don't know yet. A whole bunch of people are probably wasting their time practicing at Sepang going in the wrong direction....

Even if the track ends up back to normal, still worth trying anti-clock for something different. Its not completely a waste, rather good experience.

I had no idea there were actually plans to have it more permanently the other way - i thought a few people had just tried it out for fun.

For something crazy try Elite/Speedway plus anti clockwise! A few sections because impossibly dangerous to race on but a lot of fun if you have the chance.

That's not so bad ... The best driver with the best equipment will come to the front !
I don't know the track, but if it is dangereous indeed... than the idea is maybe not that good...
BUT, lets try with 40 drivers at 1 time :p :p

Ciao, Kristof

The important issues emerge :

Agree that which way to drive is a personal preference.From my side,I like the clockwise direction more because the characteristic of the track is similar to the F1 track.Until F1 drives anti-clockwise in Sepang,my preference will always be clockwise.

Safety of anti-clockwise direction is a major concern and practise is different than race.I do believe to improve race safety there will be significant investments needed.I have questionmarks if this will be done and on top of it,there are other areas that might need an investment first.
Toilets renovation as an example.

When does the anti-clockwise direction go for an inspection and approval ?
It's nice to drive this direction for fun,but we are now 6 weeks before the first AMC/RMC race and I believe most people are more concerned with testing than just driving for fun.

Sure,the best driver will win whatever direction to drive,but a lot of people will have wasted a lot of time and money if the race will be back to clockwise.Even worse scenario will be :the track does not get the necessary approvals before the race,the track operators do not change back what has been changed already (erasing of the "old" grid positions,Red lights turned 180 degree,new grid positions) and the first AMC/RMC will be on a different track.

Toilets renovation as an example.
Sorry for hijacking the thread, but seriously the toilets are a disgrace. I am taking Jack's grandparents there for the first race and the toilets are so unusable, especially for ladies. Can any of you guys give me a contact for the owner please, it was something I was meaning to do before now, but being there on Saturday reminded me......
I tend to avoid going to that track mainly because of the facilities.

Looks like Lesley and me touched a sensitive subject.

Frankly speaking,I have heard quite strong comments from Ladies on the toilet conditions in Sepang.Particularly on large events like the Red-White Sangari race in November last year.The more fortunate ones hopped in their cars to drive to the hotel or airport for answering nature's call

But let's get back to the main subject :

Is there now a clear status if the first AMC/RMC will be clock wise or anti-clock wise in Sepang ? Any update on track approval status for anti-clock wise ?

I checked yesterday the SIC website.The Karting Circuit is still clock wise on this website.

I was running in an engine at Elite a couple of years ago and all alone so I did one session anti-clockwise. Even at running in speeds it's scary! The good news is that I checked with Jeff and Sayed and there's no plans to change the direction at Elite

But, Rolf is right - the issue of which way we use Sepang needs to be resolved quickly

I see there is a lot of airing of opinions on the race direction at sepang. Just to let you all know what is happening. I have written officially to SIC being the Promoter of the series and the first round to be held in Sepang. I have asked them for the homologation and an confirmation on the race directions.

I have also taken steps on the possibility of things being not resolved to move to another circuit for the first round. I will inform you all in due course. SIC has promised me that they will look into this matter and revert back to AAM.

James Leong

Thanks James.

I do believe this clarifies the current status.

For anybody practising (or driving for fun ....) this week-end in Sepang, can you please update on Monday which direction the track had.

I won't go there wasting my time and money until the matter is fully resolved.