2008 Polini MotoGP at Sepang

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Singapore - Kuala Lumpur - Sepang - Kuala Lumpur
Day 2: Kuala Lumpur - Sepang - Singapore



DAY 1 (18 October 2008, Saturday)
Setting off at 3.30am in the morning, we arrived in KL around 7am for Bak Kut Teh at Jalan Imbi. After breakfast, we got to check into hotel and have a short rest before departing to Sepang for Saturday's Qualifying session.

We arrived at Sepang International Circuit at 1215hrs, only to be greeted by the heavy downpour. Rossi fans queued up in excess of 2hrs just for his signature at the autograph session. I was a little late, and did not get to see Rossi, but managed to meet few other MotoGP riders in the 2nd autograph session.

Nicky Hayden


Shinya Nakano


When the 125cc Qualifying session started, it was still pretty wet:





The big boys preparing their 800cc bikes for Qualifying.



When MotoGP Qualifying starts, 8 times world champion Valentino Rossi is the star of attraction. He grabbed the limelight from the cameramen and videomen.


The 800cc MotoGP Qualifying at Sepang this year is the most exciting session this season. The final 10mins saw more than 10 riders getting pole position due to the drying track condition and the lighter fuel load on the bike.












And finally the day ends with the 250cc Qualifying session.







DAY 2 (19 October 2008, Sunday)
We got up early for breakfast at the hotel and checked out at 1030hrs in an effort to reach Sepang early to avoid the traffic jam and to prevent unnecessary delays in entering the circuit.

Today was bright and sunny, and these gorgeous race queens started my day even brighter.













And race day kicked off with the 125cc race, followed by the podium ceremony won by Gabor Talmacsi, the 2007 125cc world champion. The runner up was Bradley Smith, followed by Simon Corsi.



The 250cc begins with title leader Marco Simoncelli.


250cc title contender Mika Kallio.


And the former 125cc world champion Alvaro Bautista is the man to stop Simoncelli here on round 17 of the season.


Yuki Takahashi's second last race for his 250cc team. He will be moving to 800cc MotoGP next season.


Eventual race winner Alvaro Bautista.


Hiroshi Aoyama doing a burnout after finishing 2nd in today's race.


250cc podium winners - Bautista, Aoyama and Simoncelli. Finishing 3rd in this race won Simoncelli the 2008 250cc world title.


And finally, the MotoGP race where everyone is waiting for.














The race was won by Valentino Rossi, followed by Dani Pedrosa and a very happy Andrea Dovizioso who claimed his first podium this season.


That's it for MotoGP coverage this year at the Sepang International Circuit. Next year will be more exciting with changes to the one-tyre manufacturer Bridgestone who was awarded the sole tyre manufacturer for all MotoGP bikes. Also what's more interesting is the inclusion of Yuki Takahashi, Mika Kallio, Canepa and Sete Gibernau for 2009 in MotoGP!



MORE PHOTOS
Click here



FAST FACTS

Accomodation: S$46
MotoGP Entrance tickets: $40
Food & miscellaneous: S$38
TOTAL EXPENDITURE: S$124



TRAVEL GUIDES / NEWS / MAGAZINES

Sepang International Circuit
http://www.malaysiangp.com.my/



MAPS
http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Sepang_International_Circuit