Many years ago I visited the Sepang International Circuit to watch the Malaysian Grand Prix.
My memories are that it was a thrill to see Michael Shumacher and his contemporaries in open-topped vintage cars, being driven past the grandstand. And that is was a very hot day, and that the race was incredibly loud. And that the only part of the track I saw was the start / finish straight, and if I went to the other side of the grandstand, the back straight.
Starting in April this year, the circuit has been opened on the occasional weekend morning to cyclists who wanted to ride on the 5.5km track. I missed the daytime opportunities, but grabbed the first chance to ride on the circuit at night, which was last Friday.
My biker chick came with me. She sat on the pit lane wall, building LEGO Tie Fighter micro models, while I rode a few laps. I started at 10.00pm, when there weren’t many others there.
It was a little eerie at first, riding past empty grandstands on a track that was more moonlit than floodlit in places.
I was soon joined by other riders, and it was cool to see lots of blinking red lights all around the circuit.
It was also cool to see families out on the circuit. Mark and Shelby for example.
It was a fun evening. I could be temped to do it again. Especially if the organisers allow the sale of drinks. The circuit was quiet on Friday, but it was still a hot night.
Old Roots, New Routes 