Sepang may not be a new track for motorsports; but earlier this year, Sepang was given a fresh surface and some of the corners have been reprofiled. World Superbike Championsip will be the first race to take place in the old new Sepang.
Sepang is not the first Malaysian venue to host World Superbike Championship. Johor Pasir Gudang and Batu Tiga Shah Alam was its predecessor. This is the third round Sepang is hosting World Superbike Championship and unlike the past two years, this year will be very exciting.
It is a journey to the unknown. Sepang circuit completed the resurfacing work just 2 weeks before World Superbike Championship. Although most of the riders were familiar with this highly technical 15 corners track, albeit 2016 will be different.
Certain corners have been reprofile and cambers have changed. This means none of the team has a perfect setup of their bike for this Sepang. Kawasaki and Ducati has been the favourite during the free practice but the new Sepang could unsettle the running order.
Despite all the excitement, rumours was in the air stating this might be the last World Superbike Championship race in Sepang. Almost immediate after the 2015 round, Sepang announced that it might be the last round due to low spectator turn out.
2014 Sepang recorded an encouraging 34,000 ticket sales but in 2015, only 22,000 tickets were sold. Although the news was aired over the radio, Sepang decided to give it another try this year.
Question if World Superbike Championship will return to Sepang in 2017 is very much depending on the turnout this weekend.
