WHEEL SPORTS
Formula One cars waiting for the green light to signal the start of the 2007 PETRONAS F1 Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit.
Organized car races in Malaysia go as far back as 1940, when the first Johor Grand Prix was held to raise money for the War Fund. A second event, held in 1949, was the first formal grand prix event held in Southeast Asia. The Johor Grand Prix continued to run until 1953 and was superseded by the Johor Coronation Grand Prix in 1960.
In Kuala Lumpur, a street circuit running around Parliament House, Lake Gardens and Kenny Hill functioned as the site of racing events in the early 1960s. These events, known as the Tunku Abdul Rahman Circuit Races, were subsequently moved to Petaling Jaya and the Batu Tiga Circuit in Shah Alam. The first Malaysia Grand Prix was held in 1962 on the Old Upper Thomson Road Circuit in Singapore. It continued to be run there until 1965, after which it was relocated to the Batu Tiga Circuit. The event was conducted annually in Shah Alam from 1968 to 1982, except for 1976, and then one more time in 1995. The opening of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in 1999 led to the revival of the Malaysia Grand Prix and elevated it to the heights of Formula One.
Malaysia’s most successful racer is World Rally Champion Karamjit Singh, and the PETRONAS EON Racing Team is Asia’s most successful rallying team. Rally races are held regularly in Malaysia, including the Felda-AAM Malaysian Rally Championship and the Malaysian Rally, which is part of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship circuit.
Car races are not the only speed events organized in Malaysia. Motorbike races conducted in the country include PETRONAS Sprinta AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship, SIC-AAM Malaysian Motocross Championship and PETRONAS Sprinta FIM Asian Grand Prix, while the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix has been part of the FIM World Motorcycle Grand Prix Championship since 1991.
The first bicycles were introduced to Malaya by the British in the early 20th century. Since then, local cyclists have achieved international success; After his performances in 2003 and 2006, Josiah Ng becamethe only cyclist to have won the World Cup keirin event twice. Malaysia hosts the Tour de Langkawi. Held annually since 1996, the Tour de Langkawi is the biggest race on the UCI Asia Tour calendar.
Malaysia’s natural terrain is a perfect venue for off-road races. 4x4 activities are regularly organized for enthusiasts who seek to pit their abilities against nature. The annual International Rainforest Challenge, considered one of the world’s most demanding off-road races, was first held in 1997 and continues to attract 4x4 enthusiasts from all over the world.