SEPANG TRACK GETS OKAY FOR MARLBORO MALAYSIAN MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX

TEAMCAR - Declaring the track as ‘in perfect condition’, International MotorcyclingFederation (FIM) Safety Delegate Claude Danis has given Sepang Circuit thethumbs up and that it was ready to host the 2006 Marlboro MalaysianMotorcycle Grand Prix next month.

Danis, who was accompanied by AAM Motorsports Manager S.N. Nanthan for thetrack inspection, said that he was particularly happy with the resurfacingof a 400-meter stretch at Turn 3, which the MotoGP riders had complainedas ‘bumpy’ when they conducted their tests in February.“I would say the track is perfect.

From my point of view, they had done aperfect job in preparing the track especially for Turn 3,” he said, addingthat the deterioration of the track conditions was normal due to aging.

According to Danis, the riders’ feedback on the unstable condition of Turn3 was brought to his attention by MotoGP champion, Valentino Rossi, who isthe riders’ representative on safety issues.

To be held from September 8 to 10, the 2006 Marlboro Malaysian Grand Prixis Round 13 of a 17-round world championship, which is currently taking amonth break before resuming at Brno for the Republic Czech Grand Prix onAugust 20.

Like others worldwide, Danis is anxiously waiting for the resumption ofthe world championship; saying that the battle in the premier MotoGP classis had been very exciting.

“Rossi had some bad luck this season and the young riders like (Nicky)Hayden, (Dani) Pedrosa and (Marco) Melandri) are getting stronger. It hasbeen a very exciting world championship,” said Danis.After 11 rounds, Hayden has opened a 34-point advantage over second placedand Repsol Honda teammate, Pedrosa with 194 points against Pedrosa’s 160.

Rossi is fourth overall in the MotoGP class with 143 points – seven behindMelandri, who has 150.