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SEPANG 12 HOUR CANCELLED

Sepang 12 Hour cancelled - Photo: Supplied

By Bruce Williams

Sepang 12 Hour cancelled - Photo: Supplied

Sepang 12 Hour cancelled – Photo: Supplied

Organisers have cancelled the Sepang 12 Hour, scheduled for December 7-10, after failing to reach the minimum of 20 entries.

SRO, who oversee the Malaysian endurance race, suggested that lower-than-expected public attendance and increasing number of categories and end-of-season long-distance GT races were the likely reasons for the less than expected entries. The event having only received a dozen confirmed entries in the lead up to the cancellation.

“It’s been a very difficult decision. Obviously we never want to cancel an event, and SRO certainly doesn’t make a habit of it, but we feel this is the only realistic option available to us less than six weeks before the race is due to take place.” said Benjamin Franassovici, Sepang 12 Hour General Manager.

“SRO rightly considers an endurance event featuring less than 18 cars unviable. It’s also important to retain the Sepang 12 Hours’ spectacle, and – given the present situation – I don’t think that would have been possible in 2017.

“Cancelling suitably ahead of time is therefore considered a more responsible option than staging a high-profile endurance race below capacity.”

The event had been scheduled as the final round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, which started with the Bathurst 12 Hour in February. However, the cancellation of the Sepang 12 Hour leaves Markus Winkelhock and Audi crowned champions after their performances during the Bathurst 12 Hour, Spa 24 Hour and the California 8 Hour at Mazda Raceway.

In 2018 the final round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge will move from Sepang to the Suzuka. SRO confirming that the four rounds of the will be held across the Bathurst 12 Hour, Spa 24 Hour, Mazda Raceway California 8 Hour and the Suzuka 10 Hours at the end of August next year.

For more of the latest international motorsport news, pick up the next issue of Auto Action Magazine, on sale Thursday. In the meantime follow us on social media FacebookTwitter, Instagram or sign up for our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates.