Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2001 10:19 pm
Just found this on the net:-
<b>
Malaysian F1 chiefs have taken the unprecedented step of banning TV coverage of the entire event in a bid to boost ticket sales.
With less than a week to go before the race only a third of tickets have been sold.
Circuit chairman Basir Ismail admitted the decision was unpopular but felt there was little alternative.
"We spent a lot of money to stage the event and we need to sell tickets and the hospitality suites in Sepang to cover the cost," he said.
"We sold 65,000 tickets in 1999 but we have only about 30,000 sales to date. On top of that we lost 22 million ringgit (5.8 million dollars) last year."
"So if Malaysians want to watch the race live they can buy a ticket and come watch it here."
"But this year with little more than a week to go we have sold only 30 per cent."
"A possible reason is that fans prefer to watch it live at home on television.
"The response from foreigners is also poor, possibly because hotels have
hiked room rates three times more than they were before."
"We hope it will persuade more fans to buy tickets," said Basir.
"Fans who cannot afford a three day ticket can get a Sunday ticket for 100
ringits [£19]," he added.
The new circuit can hold 100,000 but looks unlikely of repeating the success of the Australian event that saw a record 400,000 visitors over the weekend.
</b>
So it looks like i'm gonna miss the next GP cause they can't sell any tickets......that sucks big time
<b>
Malaysian F1 chiefs have taken the unprecedented step of banning TV coverage of the entire event in a bid to boost ticket sales.
With less than a week to go before the race only a third of tickets have been sold.
Circuit chairman Basir Ismail admitted the decision was unpopular but felt there was little alternative.
"We spent a lot of money to stage the event and we need to sell tickets and the hospitality suites in Sepang to cover the cost," he said.
"We sold 65,000 tickets in 1999 but we have only about 30,000 sales to date. On top of that we lost 22 million ringgit (5.8 million dollars) last year."
"So if Malaysians want to watch the race live they can buy a ticket and come watch it here."
"But this year with little more than a week to go we have sold only 30 per cent."
"A possible reason is that fans prefer to watch it live at home on television.
"The response from foreigners is also poor, possibly because hotels have
hiked room rates three times more than they were before."
"We hope it will persuade more fans to buy tickets," said Basir.
"Fans who cannot afford a three day ticket can get a Sunday ticket for 100
ringits [£19]," he added.
The new circuit can hold 100,000 but looks unlikely of repeating the success of the Australian event that saw a record 400,000 visitors over the weekend.
</b>
So it looks like i'm gonna miss the next GP cause they can't sell any tickets......that sucks big time
