KUALA LUMPUR — Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has expressed its readiness to share its decades of expertise in developing the proposed Gedong Motorsport Circuit, saying it is keen to work with the Sarawak government to help establish a world-class facility that can accelerate the growth of motorsport in East Malaysia.
Positioning itself as a strategic partner in the ambitious project, SIC said it welcomed the proposed circuit and looked forward to engaging with the project team through preliminary discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions.
“The proposed Gedong Motorsport Circuit project is a welcome addition to the vibrant Malaysian motorsport scene. SIC will be engaging with the team soon for preliminary engagements and knowledge-sharing sessions,” it said in a statement to Scoop.
SIC said the Gedong Motorsport Circuit has the potential to become a major catalyst for East Malaysia’s motorsport ecosystem, provided it is developed with the right infrastructure, strategic planning and a sustainable long-term business model.
“Yes, Gedong Motorsport Circuit will be the answer for East Malaysia’s rapidly growing motorsport scene, and we are excited about the prospective development.
“The new circuit must address the need for a safe, technical facility to support the growth of Sarawak’s motorsport scene. Not every circuit needs to be a Grade 1 circuit, and to further strengthen Malaysia’s competitive motorsport landscape, the growth of more circuits should be encouraged.”
SIC said it was prepared to contribute its experience in circuit management, event operations and strategic planning, stressing that collaboration would be key to unlocking the project’s full potential.
“SIC is excited to share our experiences and collaborate strategically to support the development. We look forward to engaging with Sarawak if given the opportunity.”
The operator of the Sepang circuit said Gedong could become Sarawak’s gateway to the global motorsport industry, much like how SIC has helped position Malaysia on the international racing calendar.
“SIC is the window to Malaysia, introducing the country to the global motorsport scene, and we recently became the talk of the town again as Formula One returns to our shores.
“Gedong has every potential to become that window for Sarawak, but it must be developed correctly and sustainably.”
SIC stressed that the success of the circuit should not be measured solely by its ability to host major racing events, but by its capacity to create a wider motorsport ecosystem capable of generating year-round economic activity.
It said the development should incorporate engineering facilities, research and development initiatives, automotive technology industries, motorsport talent programmes, as well as commercial and entertainment components.
A sustainable business model, it added, would be essential to ensure the circuit remains active throughout the year instead of relying solely on marquee international events.
“We definitely need more international-standard circuits to attract regional and global racing series. With Sarawak’s aspirations, we are confident Gedong can catalyse high-impact economic development for the state.”
SIC also underscored the importance of offering comprehensive track usage packages and diversified commercial activities to maximise utilisation.
“Comprehensive services and track usage packages will be critical to ensuring high track utilisation. At the same time, the circuit must diversify into commercial and entertainment developments to reduce dependence on major events.”
The proposed Gedong Motorsport Circuit forms part of the Sarawak government’s broader vision to transform Gedong into a motorsport, tourism and economic hub.
Planned on a 600-acre site, the facility is envisioned as Sarawak’s first international-standard motorsport venue, capable of hosting two- and four-wheel racing events while supporting driver development, engineering, automotive technology and tourism.
The first phase of the project is estimated to cost between RM150 million and RM200 million, although the overall development is expected to require significantly more investment as supporting commercial and recreational facilities are added.
The project, however, remains in its early planning stages. The Sarawak Motorsports Association previously said it is still undergoing land zoning and gazettement processes, with detailed circuit planning and design work expected to begin only after the necessary approvals are secured.
Based on the latest timeline, the zoning process could take at least another two years, meaning construction is unlikely to commence before 2028, subject to regulatory approvals and the completion of planning requirements. – August 7, 2026