M'sian KL City Grand Prix To Expect 100,000 Tourists

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- The tourism industry is expected to woo more than 100,000 visitors through the KL City Grand Prix 2015, boosting the national capital's economy significantly. The president and chief executive officer of GT Global Race (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, the race organiser, M. Arrasu said tourist spending, track expenditures and the participation of local vendors were among the main factors that would boost the economy. "Research study done by Messrs Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), had estimated economic revenue to be US$15.84 million (RM60 million) besides the impact on public awareness about this street race," Arrasu said. (US$1 = RM3.78) By comparing the national street race between the Singapore F1 Circuit, Monaco Grand Prix and F1 Sepang Circuit, Arrasu said that his team had made those unquestionably popular street races as their references. "We learnt a lot through these well-established events like how they operate and manage the tracks and racers, and at the same time creating their own followers. "Eventhough Singapore's street racing had been endorsed as a world class standard, it is not possible for us to be like them and the support from the crowd is really needed to make this happen," he said. To ensure the event runs smoothly, KL City Grand Prix will cooperate with Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur City Hall), Royal Malaysia Police, Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia (Malaysian Volunteer Department) and their own security team. Arrasu added, the grandstand will able to accommodate 6,000 spectators and 100,000 for premium walkabout. The ticket price for the P. Ramlee Pit Grandstand is US$118 (RM450), and US$92 (RM350) for Ampang Grandstand, Sultan Ismail Grandstand and Perak Grandstand. KL City Grand Prix will also introduce the 'safari' concept where the visitors can get the chance to communicate with the racers' teams and even touch the racing cars which will be a once in a life time golden experience. The KL City Grand Prix from Aug 7 to 9 will see drivers zip through a 3.2km temporary "Grade 3" circuit with 16 turns along well-known streets of the capital city such as Jalan P.Ramlee, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Pinang. The event is expected to see various GT race car models such the Lamborghini Super Cup, Formula Masters, Porsche Carrera Cup and Audi R8 LMS Cup apart from a demonstration of the five best V8 supercar series teams. "Another attraction will be the first demonstration ever by V8 Supercars in Malaysia, which is the third most popular motor racing in the world," he said. Not only the audiences can feel the eagerness and excitement of the racers but there are also a vibrant live concert, auto, cultural and firework shows. -- BERNAMA