Last month, I travelled to Malaysia and discovered that this is one of those countries that will burn you up inside out. The epicenter of this Southeast Asian inferno and generating much heat is the 3.4-mile-long Sepang International Circuit. Like its forests inhabited by Hantu spirits, this race track is home to a new kind of wayward soul, the speed demon. These ghost rider type spirits attract Europeans today like how rare spices brought their forefathers before them. These demons come in various shapes as they compete usually during the weekend in various car and motorcycle races such as the Formula One, Super GT, Moto-X, and the A1GP.
Watching these speedsters materialize requires special clairvoyant training because of the blinding quickness of their movement. Without a day of pre-race practice around Kuala Lumpur, all you might see is a split-second blur of colors accompanied by the possessed high pitch of their V-8 engine as a declaration of their malevolent presence. Thank the high heavens that Malaysia is readily equipped with essential locales and dishes to prepare you for your need for speed.
Soul Shopping
The first step in attuning to the frequencies of speed demons is to reach a higher plane of existence by going to the 1,482-foot Petronas twin towers that are currently the tallest twin towers in the world. From its skybridge at its 42nd floor, you plan out your Malay high as you see the various areas of Kuala Lumpur’s malldom to empty your self... I mean your wallet for some soul shopping.
If you are into some high-spirited shopping, the area of Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and Suria KLLC below the Petronas Tower is a fashion mecca as it is lined up with designer brands with European flavor for the expats who watch the races to feel at home. If you are looking for intellectual upliftment, Kinokuniya bookstore is a bargain of enlightening titles stamped with its dharma eye mascot’s approval. For furniture fanatics, there is an Ikea store located outside the city in Petaling Jaya to add some practical aesthetics to your abode.
For a more down-to-earth travail, KL City has its hub of local crafts called Central Market where you can buy batik artwork, clothes, keychains, and sweets. While a hour drive away from KL will bring you to Jonker Street in Melaka where you can find rare artworks such as Communist paintings, demon masks, modern masterpieces, and enchanting antiques. Although there are a lot knickknacks for pasulubong and for yourself, be ready to spend a fortune as some interesting pieces can be pricey like the batik stamps that can reach over 500 ringit.
After you have cleansed your wallet, you can now raise your spirits with the spicy delicacies such as the Indian curry or the Thai prawn soup that will purge you of any bad taste in the mouth.
Malaysian Momentum
After toughening up your temperament for the Sepang International Circuit, you can finally slow down at places like Asian Heritage Row or Irish pub Finnigans for a nightcap to soak in the Euro-ness of the Formula One event.
The Temple Of Speed
Before your soul soars to the temple of speed in Sepang for the F1, the final qualifying test is to play the videogame and rc kart version of the F1 race found in the KL malls for your visual sharpness. After you’ve completed that task, now you can pick up your camera at Low Yat techno hub mall to capture your speed demon on the go. Aside from that, don’t forget to buy some ear plugs or even better, earmuffs with radio transmitter to get a burn-by-turn report of the race. It is because the wail of these ghost rider engines can be deafening.
As you watch the F1, the real drama, aside from risking Malaysia’s Jumanji-type weather, is the story behind the racers, their teams, and of course, their cars that can rival some of Gossip Girl’s juiciest episodes. First of all, the competition is extremely tough as millions of pounds are dependent on each of the 20 teams that are whittled down to 10 on the final Sunday race from the qualifying race the day before. Also, race car drivers can change teams or teams can fold up and reboot as fast as the plot lines on Lost or Heroes.
This year is no exception as last year’s underdogs from Honda under the new name Brawn GP composed of Jenson Button and Rubens are today’s top dogs. They currently won the first two Grand Prix races here in Malaysia and previously in Australia. While Lewis Hamilton of McLaren Mercedes and 2008 GP champion was on the hot seat for cheating during the first 2009 race. As for the cars themselves, there is much back burner talk, too, about the new KERS acceleration system and controversial construction that will keep viewers tuned in to these hellhounds for the whole season.
Exhaust Exorcising
To finally exhaust and exorcise your speed addiction, the race ends with a concert from a musical shaman. For the Formula One, it featured Jamiroquai who busted his groovy astral moves for two hours to celebrate the supernatural speeds at which the drivers did their dance. The night, like any good haunting, was very much a blur of flashing lights. The only way I can say that I got back to the ground to remember it properly was with a glass of green milk tea cendol to calm my nerves. Other than that, this spiritual journey is better mystically experienced than read or written. It is because the lure of the supernatural is a chance that you can’t miss especially when the vibes are this good. Granted that you can catch up, of course.
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Special thanks to Martin Manuson, Bea Totanes, and Siti Hadijah Arifin of Tourism Malaysia, Hotel Istana and Malaysia Airlines for their MH (Malaysian hospitality).
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Visit www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my to know more about Malaysia. Check for future Sepang International Circuit races and buy tickets at http://www.sepangcircuit.com.
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E-mail me at readnow@supreme.ph.